The Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber Foundation raised nearly half a million dollars in 2019 to help support the Chamber's work in economic development and continue the efforts for several initiatives that have Valley-wide impact!
Investments in the Regional Chamber Foundation enable the Economic Development division to continue to focus on and carry out its robust business retention, expansion and attraction program and also support the ongoing efforts of the JobsNow workforce development program and Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission (EOMAC).
In 2019, the Foundation, a charitable 501(c)3 organization, also served as the fiscal agent for Drive It Home Ohio, the coalition dedicated to restoring jobs at the General Motors Lordstown Complex, and the inaugural Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo, which provided hands-on workforce development experiences for thousands of high school students.
Operating under the premise that jobs solve almost all of a community's social problems, the Foundation experienced last year its greatest level of financial support since 2009, generating nearly $500,000 for job-creating, economic development programs.
Along the way, the Foundation launched a VIP speaker series that generated $50,000, earned media for the Valley and business development opportunities for Chamber members. The organization also created and implemented a growth strategy for the Warren Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Foundation and the Warren Area Chamber of Commerce Education, Civic and Cultural Foundation, both operating under the Regional Chamber umbrella.