New Business Association

[Rick Rowlands]

Looks like one group for every two businesses downtown. 

[jay]

Groups come and groups go.

Here is a list we compiled in 2003.
CityScape was also added over the years.

This is a list of groups that are working on certain aspects of downtown Youngstown.  If anyone knows the name of a missing group, please post the information.

A.C.T.I.O.N.
Chamber of Commerce
City Council/Planning
Community Improvement Corporation
Convention and Visitors Bureau
Downtown Partners
Downtown Revitalization Committee
Federal Plaza Committee
First Night Youngstown
Mahoning Commons
2010 Downtown Working Group
Wick Neighbors
Youngstown Arts Council
Youngstown Arts & Entertainment District Association
YSU Urban Studies

[iwasthere]

jim should reprt the "young's town". this book was a sellout before the book hit the pip bookshelf.

[Towntalk]

Sure, save the Pig Iron Press ... bail Jim out ... his business must thrive, but is it generating the revinue that will do that? No one wants to see it go away, but from a purely business standpoint is it generating the revinue that could allow Jim to pay all his bills and have money to put away? At what point does any businessman shut the door, turn out the lights and go out of business?

Jim is not a millionare who has ready access to cash, and he is not willing to downsize his operation by relocating to a smaller location that he can afford.

Jim's main business is publishing, and there are businesses that fit this called vanity presses which publish books for a fee whether they are good, bad or indifferent and it's up to the customer to sell the books. Dr. Murray had all his books published by a vanity press, and the selling of these books was strictly up to him.

I'm sure that there are many who fancy themselves writers of the next best seller that would be willing to shell out money to have their masterpiece printed that could have Jim print up a couple of hundred books for them.

[jay]

Members said they plan to encourage business retention

Maybe project number one should be to save the Pig Iron Press business.

[iwasthere]

let the business owners promote the ytown downtown, not the politicians.

[Towntalk]

New Alliance Will Promote Downtown Growth


Downtown businesses owners and executives said they have different objectives with their newly formed Downtown Business Alliance of Youngstown group than others that came before it.

For 16 years, members of Youngstown CityScape have worked to improve the attraction of downtown. The DBAY is a new collaboration among vested stakeholders in the downtown district.

"We've cared about how our city looks, what businesses we attract and this next venture, this downtown business association is important, we believe, to all of us," said Youngstown CityScape Executive Director Sharon Letson.

Members said they plan to encourage business retention, attract new businesses and improve the quality of life for those who live, work or visit downtown.

"One of the biggest misconceptions that I think has held true for quite a few years, is that city government is responsible for everything," said Keynote Media Group President Richard Hahn. "They are not responsible for everything. It's our job to do our part to help city government help us."

Members of DBAY said their objective is to make sure the downtown area moves forward.

"There's a lot of hope now," said Faniro Architects President Ron Faniro. "The purpose of this group really is to create an open dialogue with the city. We need to take advantage of the opportunities and momentum and keep it going."

Some other key issues the group is looking to address includes parking, signage, cleanliness, marketing and promotion.

"Everybody will have a say so in what goes on in our city," Faniro said. "Everybody will have input."