Campbell, Struthers and Lowellville leaders express optimism about their towns

Mayors and school officials from Campbell, Struthers and Lowellville spoke at a regional breakfast about local projects and school programs, noting recent dam removals, Riverfront Park work and new classroom offerings.

Mayors and school leaders from Campbell, Struthers and Lowellville spoke at a regional breakfast at the Collingwood Center about local projects and school programs. The event was hosted by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and CASTLO and drew about 50 to 60 community leaders. Officials described recent infrastructure changes and investments, including removal of the Mahoning River Dam and work on Riverfront Park. School officials also highlighted new STEAM, construction and media programs for students. Key developments: - Lowellville Mayor Jim Iudiciani said the Mahoning River Dam was removed in 2021 and that Riverfront Park, which includes a canoe launch, opened about four years ago; he hopes related Riverfront Park work will be completed by May. - The Riverfront Park project is estimated at more than $4 million and was funded largely by grants, including $963,000 from the Governor's Office of Appalachia and American Rescue Plan dollars. - Campbell Mayor Bill Valentino reported park improvements at Roosevelt Park, work to make baseball fields tournament-ready, road paving plans with the Ohio Department of Transportation, and new salt trucks for the city. - Struthers Mayor Catherine Cercone Miller described downtown construction and plans for a new library near Yellow Creek Park, noted about $307,000 in city tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales at Green Leaf Therapy Dispensary, and listed other projects such as new signage, a planned music festival and a Dylan's House home on Judith Lane. - School leaders reported new and expanding programs: Lowellville launched a STEAM program aimed at younger students, Struthers has a growing construction class and expanded robotics and STEM offerings, and digital and podcast studios are expected to open by August, the panel was told. - Jeff Collingwood, who runs the Collingwood Center, said the specialized school programs address workforce needs and commented that an acute shortage of plumbers nationwide is possible over the next 10 years. Summary: Leaders described a range of completed and ongoing projects intended to support community amenities and student opportunities. Riverfront Park work is hoped to be finished by May, and other projects and program rollouts have varied timelines or no specific completion dates reported. Undetermined at this time.