Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission

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The Regional Chamber launched the Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission (EOMAC) in 2015 to preserve and promote the value of military operations between Cleveland and Pittsburgh, with an emphasis on the Youngstown Air Reserve Station and Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center, formerly known as Camp Ravenna Joint Training Center.

These unique regional military assets in the region include the USAF Reserve 910^th Airlift Wing, which is the only aerial spray capability in the military. Furthermore, the 21,000-acre Camp James A. Garfield site has transformed in recent years from a World War II munitions to an advanced training site for thousands of troops in the Ohio National Guard.

EOMAC is a proud member of the Association of Defense Communities and part of the Ohio military commission network, with peers around the state, including Task Force Lima, Toledo Military Affairs Commission, Ohio National Guard Association and Dayton Development Coalition.

EOMAC Team/Partners

The commission is led by Attorney Vito Abruzzino. Outside of this role, Atty. Abruzzino is a Major in the United States Army Reserve and has served with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps at Fort Jackson, S.C., and Fort Bragg, N.C. Abruzzino is a graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law and has also acted as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in Columbia, S.C.

EOMAC is proudly supported by generous contributions from the Western Reserve Port Authority, Trumbull 100, Regional Chamber and Trumbull County Community Foundation.

Accomplishments/Updates

Ohio Support: EOMAC is working with the Ohio Federal Research Network and state leaders to continue to grow opportunities to build national defense capacity at regional installations and to evaluate the potential for university and military research partnerships.
Military Value: The Reserve and Guard throughout the region continue to protect the nation by the most efficient and effective means. Data demonstrates that these installations offer major contributions to defense, all while keeping federal expenditures at a minimum. Keeping facilities and materials upgraded for optimal performance is a key to continuing this trend in excellence.
Community Partnership: Citizen soldiers contribute to our installations and communities. EOMAC is proud to grow these contributions through the USAF Community Partnership Program, in which 910^th Air Reservists are receiving training credits to address local safety, education and emergency issues with stakeholders throughout the region.

Dignan Named Chair of Ohio Metro Chambers Coalition

Jan 31, 2019

Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber President & CEO James Dignan has been named chairman of the Ohio Metro Chambers Coalition, effective Jan. 1, 2019. The Coalition, comprising the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the state’s eight largest metropolitan chambers of commerce (Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo and Youngstown-Warren), has a combined membership of more than 25,000 businesses providing nearly 2 million jobs.

The Coalition meets monthly to discuss issues that are significant and impactful across the entire state and have set public policy priorities for 2019 that include energy, minimum wage, smart cities/transportation, taxes and technology-based economic development.

The Metro Chambers Coalition also aims to advance pro-business messaging and produces strong engagement with local, statewide and federal elected officials. One Valley advocacy issue that will be undertaken by the group under Dignan’s helm is Camp Garfield being named the site of the East Coast Missile Defense Shield.

“Four out of every five Ohioans live within a metropolitan area. Our metro areas connect people to transit, recreation, development and jobs,” said Dignan. “The Metro Chamber Coalition has a unique pulse on the issues facing businesses of all sizes operating across Ohio. In my new role, I serve as a trusted resource, helping to identify and work those issues of shared interest that impact the business community in all four corners of the state.”

In his first order of business as chairman of the group, Dignan and the Coalition hosted an Inaugural Reception on Jan. 14, with more than 120 VIP guests attending and networking with key members of the Ohio House and Senate.

Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission

EOMAC Team/Partners

Accomplishments/Updates

Recent News

Dignan Named Chair of Ohio Metro Chambers Coalition

Youngstown Office