Elected and community officials are calling this one of the most important days in the Mahoning Valley. The cities of Girard and Youngstown have signed off on an agreement that could help land one of the largest expansion project this area has seen in years.
After weeks of marathon negotiations between the two cities an agreement to help clear the way for the V& M expansion was signed Wednesday morning. Officials from the cities of Girard and Youngstown signed off on what they are now calling an historic agreement.
The deal will allow Youngstown to annex property from Girard, as well as have the two communities share taxes from the site. Trumbull and Mahoning County Commissioners will now have to approve the annexation agreements.
Congressman Tim Ryan and Tom Humphries, president of the regional chamber, praised the work of the two mayors and two city councils. They say the agreement means that this area has done everything they can to help convince V&M to expand their business here. "We got it done. This project has a huge impact on the Mahoning Valley, on the state, and it is being looked at nationally and internationally," said Youngstown mayor Jay Williams. Girard mayor, Jim Melfi agrees. "This is a very unique agreement. I don't know if one exists out there anywhere else. It's the kind of agreement that we hope does the trick for us and helps the valley and both cities."
Now that the agreement is made, the waiting begins. Officials say they are hoping to soon hear from the company as to whether they plan to expand here. V&M has said Youngstown is just one of the areas they are looking at for the possible expansion project. Regional Chamber officials say they believe Youngstown is on the short list.
