Austintown officials brief chamber on township development projects

AUSTINTOWN

Township officials outlined some of Austintown’s successful and progressive development achievements to residents during Good Morning Austintown.

Good Morning Austintown, a Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber event hosted Friday morning at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, 655 N. Canfield-Niles Road, provided township business and economic updates.

Officials announced the development of various facilities and ideas for new ones – such as an Austintown branch of the YMCA.

Tim Hilk, CEO of the YMCA, said the process is still in the fundraising phase.

Hilk said township leaders had discussed this project for the past 10 years. YMCA officials put it in their strategic plan five years ago.

The process can take from eight to 10 years, from conception to reality, he said.

A fitness facility is coming to Austintown, however. Planet Fitness is set to open in mid-February in the Austintown Plaza, 6000 Mahoning Ave.

Martin Solomon, president of B&I Management, which operates the Austintown Plaza, said he was excited to see the fitness market get some representation in the township.

Hilk said although the YMCA would bring another fitness facility to the area, the Y caters to more than just fitness.

Trustee Jim Davis said Austintown is making positive development strides.

The hotel market has spent more than $12 million on two hotels the last few years.

Read more about the plans in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.