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Former jail will become innovation center at YSU
YOUNGSTOWN
The Mahoning County commissioners on Tuesday authorized the sale of the county’s former minimum security jail to Youngstown State University for $525,000 for use as a collaborative innovation center.
They also authorized a co-application with YSU for a $2 million U.S. Economic Development Administration grant for renovation of that building.
The advanced manufacturing lab, which has been in the planning stages for two years, will be known as the Mahoning Valley Innovation and Commercialization Center.
“It’s an excellent thing for the county. I think it’s a way to train our citizens in the trades and to actually bring businesses here that would be able to partner with that. I think the university’s doing a lot of good things, and it’s nice that the county can partner with them on that,” said Audrey C. Tillis, executive director of the county commissioners.
“It will enable us to establish an advanced manufacturing technology training center,” Mike Hripko, YSU’s associate vice president for research, said of the commissioners’ action.
“We’ll be well-positioned to train next-generation manufacturing workers in skills that manufacturers are looking for, such as 3-D printing, electronics assembly, advanced welding, machining and robotics,” he added.
The former minimum security jail at Commerce Street and Fifth Avenue is now used as a staging area for the county sheriff’s day-reporting inmate work detail.
The innovation center is envisioned as a place within walking distance of YSU and Eastern Gateway Community College, where high school and college students, entrepreneurs, engineers, machinists and welders will be able to interact.
To cover the high cost of equipment, the project is a partnership of the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers’ Coalition, YSU, Eastern Gateway, the Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties and Choffin career and technical centers, Youngstown City Schools and the Youngstown Business Incubator.
The idea for the center, estimated to occupy 60,000 square feet, arose from discussions among manufacturers and educational institution officials concerning training programs.
In March, the county commissioners and Sheriff Jerry Greene discussed a possible land sale for the innovation center with YSU President Jim Tressel and other YSU officials in executive session.
In other action, the commissioners agreed to lease 1,532 square feet on the second floor of the county Children Services Building at 222 W. Federal St. to Area Agency on Aging XI for $13,788 a year for the agency’s work under the county’s new 1-mill, five-year senior citizen services real-estate tax levy.
The one-year lease, renewable annually for up to five years, begins Saturday.
Services to county residents age 60 and older will begin Monday under the levy, which will generate about $4.1 million in annual revenue.
Those wishing to be evaluated for services should call 330-505-2300 and ask for the community resources department.
Services being offered include home-delivered meals, recreation, wellness programs and guardianship services.
The commissioners also voted to close New Road in Austintown between South Turner Road and state Route 46 from July 5 to 12 for culvert repairs.