A Youngstown committee recommends the city give $50,000 to a downtown call center

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Initiative Committee is recommending the city give $50,000 to VXI Global Solutions, which is making $249,840 worth of improvements to the call center’s location in 20 Federal Place.

The committee met Monday, and its recommendation has to be approved by city council and the board of control. The money would come from the city’s general fund.

VXI opened in 2009 at the downtown location at 20 W. Federal St. and is the largest employer at the city-owned building with more than 1,000 workers.

The company wants to install new carpets and vinyl floor tile, upgrade its restrooms and install new data cables and wires.

The company plans to hire 150 full-time workers a year after the work is finished.

If it gets the city funding, VXI plans to have the improvement work finished by March 31.