Collaboration Effort Rejected in Valley

Getting communities to collaborate and share is very challenging work. Everyone involved needs to see the benefits of working together.

Efforts to build stronger ties between Boardman and Youngstown failed, at least for now, because Boardman officials didn't see the benefits.

Here's a report from Denise Dick of the Youngstown Vindicator:

BOARDMAN — Township trustees reject Youngstown’s joint economic development plan and want to research the costs and procedures of becoming a city, but a second levy attempt appears unlikely before November.

At a meeting Wednesday, the panel asked Administrator Jason Loree to send a letter to Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams rejecting the Joint Economic Development District proposal as written.

The proposal called for an income tax on some township businesses and residents that would be shared by the township and city in exchange for lower water rates for city water customers who live in the township.

“I see no advantages to Boardman in it,” said Robyn Gallitto, trustees chairwoman.

Boardman officials said they want to continue ways to consider how it can work with surrounding communities on economic development.

Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams has been a strong advocate of collaboration and sharing. While this attempt didn't succeed, I expect there will be more tries in the future.