Jan. 15, 2008 6:39 a.m.

By Dan O’Brien

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Cleveland may be 60 miles northwest of here but it might as well be in Youngstown’s backyard because of the similar challenges both cities face.

Over the last several months, Mayor Jay Williams and his staff have been meeting with Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and his administrators to discuss how the two cities could become partners in addressing issues such as economic development, infrastructure, crime, housing, health and education.

City Council Wednesday is to consider a resolution supporting the two cities entering into a memorandum of understanding that lays the groundwork for future cooperation.

“Some of the things we do, we do well and could benefit Cleveland,” Williams says, citing Youngstown 2010 and plans to develop various neighborhoods. “There are things that Cleveland does that we could learn from,” he elaborates, such as an aggressive campaign against crime and its agreements with nearby communities regarding water use.

The meetings, Williams says, were very “productive,” with both parties agreeing that it would be beneficial to establish a more productive working relationship.

Among the ideas the two cities are considering is a formula to share the gains the communities reap when one business relocates from Cleveland to Youngstown and vice versa, Williams notes.

“We’d like to set up a framework where we wouldn’t poach businesses from one another,” he says. A possible solution could be an agreement to share revenue sharing for a period of time to mitigate the loss of tax revenue should a business relocate.

An expression of unity between the two cities fits with Gov. Ted Strickland’s agenda and could lead to more infrastructure dollars if the endeavor is presented as a regional initiative.

“Let’s lay out some areas in which we can work together,” Williams says. “We are willing to step forward like never before.”