Port Authority weighs support of commission to preserve Youngstown air base


YOUNGSTOWN

The Western Reserve Port Authority will discuss next month whether to financially support a local military affairs commission that will work full-time to avoid closure or reductions at the 910th Airlift Wing, Youngstown Air Reserve Station.

Atty. John Rossi of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber presented a proposal Wednesday for the authority to provide $25,000 per year for three years to hire someone to lead the commission.

That money would be combined with $20,000 per year the chamber hopes to secure from local private foundations. The goal is to get the chamber-led commission running by the end of September.

The chamber has been working the past year with military consultants, YARS personnel and local leaders to review data and strategies related to base stabilization and enhancement, Rossi said. It’s part of a statewide effort.

The work is important because of military cuts taking place nationwide and the potential for more, Rossi said. YARS already lost four of its 12 C-130 aircraft. Cuts at YARS have reduced the economic impact of the base from about $238 million in 2012 to about $186 million in 2014, he said.

Read more about the matter in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.