Seven goals revealed on latest plan to increase economic development in Youngstown

YOUNGSTOWN — During the last decade, about $1.1 million has been spent on studies to improve the city with most of the recommendations ignored.

With that as the backdrop, the Youngstown State University’s Center for Urban and Regional Studies discussed some details in a 465-page report today that officials say provides strategies for increasing economic development in the city.

The plan has seven major goals:

• Create an environment that encourages and supports entrepreneurial and innovative activities.

• Pursue specialized training facilities to fill the workforce gap in local industries.

• Create an anchor institution consortium to develop a unified vision for economic development and neighborhood improvement initiatives.

• Create pathways to promote the growth of existing businesses.

• Continue to develop the city's downtown as a district neighborhood, and an economic and cultural focal point.

• Increase economic development in neighborhoods.

• Invest in corridor and infrastructure upgrades.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com