Youngstown, Ohio, has taken a giant step towards progress and the future by enacting a new plan that puts the city on track to reclaim its global significance. The 2010 plan was unanimously approved by city council this week and is viewed as a groundbreaking effort for local governance and development.
The 2020 plan outlines a broad range of long-term objectives, including economic development, community engagement, housing and infrastructure improvements and public safety initiatives. On the economic development side, the plan calls for investments in modernizing existing infrastructure and leveraging government grant programs, such as the Appalachian Regional Commission Grants, to promote revitalization efforts. The plan also calls for new investments into the tech sector, reevaluating the industrial tax credit policy and developing new data sharing programs amongst city partners.
The plan also addresses quality of life issues targeting housing, public safety and recreational activities. It proposes increasing home ownership opportunities through down-payment assistance and home renovation grants. In an effort to reduce crime rates, the plan calls for initiatives that target neighborhood safety by hiring additional police presence and improving conditions in high-crime areas. Additionally, it includes plans for growing green infrastructure through park renovations, bike lanes and other recreation facilities.
The city administration has been praised by local stakeholders for trying to bring change with these policies that are heavily focused on improving Youngstown from within. The city officials expect to see the positive results of these projects within 3-5 years if all goes according to plan.
As part of their outreach efforts, the city administration launched a series of informational seminars called “Youngstown Talks” where different city departments were invited to openly discuss their achievements, challenges, and strategies to reach the objectives outlined in the 2020 Plan. With public support increasing daily, it appears that Youngstown is well on its way to becoming an innovation hub again.
Residents of Youngstown are seeing a shift in the way their city operates thanks to the adoption of its new plan for 2010. The plan, which was created by city planners and officials, outlines a detailed approach to stimulating businesses and neighborhoods.
The plan includes incentives such as tax credits and grants for businesses, an emphasis on green initiatives such as solar and underground power lines, and a focus on increasing public safety. It also proposes to reduce the size of government through consolidation of departments and positions.
Local business leaders are ecstatic about the new plans’ potential for growth and development in the area. They view these policies as tools for success in attracting new businesses as well as maintaining current ones. These leaders also recognize that Youngstown is no longer in competition with just other cities–it’s also competing with other entire countries pursuing similar economic strategies. As a result, they rate the plan highly in terms of strategies necessary to boost the local economy.
Youngstown citizens can look forward to changes in their neighborhoods with hopes that they will see an increase in job opportunities, safety, and economic stability. By adopting these policies, Youngstown is once again preparing itself to be competitive on an international level.