Economic Development

In 1992, the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments was designated by the Federal government as the economic development planning agency for Mahoning and Trumbull Counties. At the same time the two counties were recognized as an economic development district. To retain this designation, Eastgate must develop a regional economic development plan, and update it annually. The benefit of having this plan is several fold:

• It can provide an ongoing assessment of the state of the regional economy, particularly employment growth and decline by industrial sectors.
• It can determine infrastructure needs.
• It can provide an assessment of labor force development needs in the face of a changing economy.
• It can identify technical and financial assistance needs for business.
• It can provide coordination among multiple governmental entities.

Further benefits to be derived from a regional economic development planning program include:

• the attraction of new industry;
• the retention of existing industry;
• the creation of a diverse and stable economy;
• a competitive, skilled labor force;
• a business friendly operating environment;
• tax base creation;
• regional marketing;
• improvement of the quality of community life; and
• jobs, jobs, jobs.

With the release of the 2000 Census, a major revision to the Eastgate Regional Economic Development Plan was carried out during 2002 - 03. The plan was organized in four parts: analysis, vision, action plan, and evaluation.

The analysis section includes various background studies that represent the state of the local economy. This information identifies opportunities and challenges that are considered in developing the sections that follow.

The vision section represents a statement of what the region is to become by following the plan. This is expressed through goal statements and objectives that have been identified through a public forum, utilizing information generated in the analysis section.

The action plan represents the tangible projects that are designed to fulfill the goals and objectives. These projects are prioritized and funding is identified for their implementation. The action plan also includes strategies to provide focus for future economic investment. The principle followed is concentrated investment will produce greater aggregate results than isolated or random investment.

The final section, evaluation, is a series of tools to assess the on-going planning process that produces the plan. Performance measures are identified and objectives will be reviewed to determine the success of implementation. The plan is expanded through annual updates.

Vision Statement
The development of the current regional economic development plan was guided by a diverse group of citizens, the Regional Economic Development Committee, from Mahoning and Trumbull counties that represent both the private and public sectors. The mission statement following was produced by the Committee.

The Eastgate Economic Development District shall achieve a diversified and world class competitive economic base that will provide good paying jobs to ensure a high personal standard of living and a strong local tax base that will support healthy, vigorous, and stimulating communities in which to live and do business.

Goals and Objectives
Goal No. 1: To strengthen industrial firms in the economic development district
Objectives:

• To provide sites for expansion or relocation of existing companies
• To make funding sources available for companies job creation/retention projects
• To provide tax abatements, loans and other incentives to promote new investment
• To identify employment needs and skill levels of the unemployed
• To retrain workers in order for firms to take advantage of new technologies

Goal No. 2: To construct public infrastructure to promote new growth and development
Objectives:

• To identify infrastructure projects needed to serve existing or new companies
• To prioritize infrastructure projects that create new jobs or investment
• To obtain grant funding to leverage other funds to extend water and sewer lines
• To identify other needs of companies, including electric, storm drainage, and roads
• To improve and expand the existing transportation network
• To preserve farmland through proper land use controls and urban redevelopment

Goal No. 3: To encourage new investment in the district's economy
Objectives:

• To inventory and publicize available industrial sites and buildings
• To encourage revitalization of the district's central business districts
• To provide public sector loans (mini-loans, RLFs, CDBG)
• To leverage other public financing (SBA, State 166, MVEDC)
• To ensure venture capital is readily accessible
• To encourage private lenders to participate in loans
• To offer tax credits, tax abatements, and other assistance to business
• To provide educational resources and job training opportunities

Goal No. 4: To improve the quality of life for residents and businesses within the district
Objectives:

• To create job opportunities for residents through partnerships with businesses
• To improve and expand community facilities such as the regional airport
• To ensure that the district is free of air and water pollution
• To create and expand opportunities for tourism throughout the district
• To preserve and protect environmentally sensitive areas from urban development
• To encourage the expansion of the public transportation system
• To improve intergovernmental cooperation and coordination within the district

EDA Grants
The adoption by the Eastgate General Policy Board of the regional economic development plan permits local government in Mahoning and Trumbull counties to be eligible to qualify for grants from the U. S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). These grants require a matching share, usually forty percent, and are restricted to mostly infrastructure development. Prior to submitting a grant application to the EDA, the project must be accepted by the Eastgate Economic Development Committee and be recognized as a priority project in the current regional economic development plan.

How to get an EDA Grant
In 1992, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) designated the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments an Economic Development District. With this designation, local governments and nonprofit corporations, that engage in economic development, are eligible to apply for EDA grants with a reduced matching share. To maintain our status as an Economic Development District, Eastgate must prepare a regional economic development plan, and a component of the plan is a "priority list" of projects that may be submitted to the EDA for funding consideration. 

 Eastgate has empaneled a Regional Economic Development Committee, made up of private and public sector individuals from across Mahoning and Trumbull Counties, to review proposed projects to determine if they can qualify to be on the priority list and possibly receive EDA funding. To be eligible to be on the priority list the applicant must confirm the availability of local matching funds, provide a detailed cost estimate, and be able to begin the project within ninety days of the date of grant award.*

Eligible awards are for public works projects, mostly roads and utilities. To qualify for a grant award, the project must support the generation of new jobs or the retention of existing jobs. The annual priority list will be finalized by September 1st of each year, but projects may be submitted anytime Due to the limitations of EDA funding, it is possible to submit only one or two grant applications per year. For more information, contact Rachel McCartney, Community Development Program Manager.

* Issue II grants and loans are eligible to be used for the local matching share.

Please click here for a copy of the 2008 Update of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

Economic Development Committee

List currently being updated.