The Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission (EOMAC) and Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber praise the Valley’s federal elected delegation for securing $8.7 million in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS).
The Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission (EOMAC) and Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber praise the Valley’s federal elected delegation for securing $8.7 million in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS).
The money will be used to widen a runway to accommodate C-17 aircraft, which will increase the military value of the installation.
“We appreciate the support received from Sen. Rob Portman and Sen. Sherrod Brown to keep increasing the military value of Trumbull County’s largest employer,” said EOMAC Executive Director Vito Abruzzino. “Our senators have consistently supported the YARS mission.”
Since the inception of EOMAC, the economic output at YARS has increased from $89 million annually to over $140 million annually. YARS is home to the 910th Airlift Wing and the Department of Defense's only large-area, fixed-wing aerial spray unit and has approximately 2,000 employees.
The Senate approved the NDAA on Wednesday; the bill passed the House last week.
“Our delegation, including Congressmen Tim Ryan, Bill Johnson, Dave Joyce and others, have been there for us since we began working with EOMAC many years ago,” Regional Chamber President & CEO Guy Coviello said. “They have always understood the importance of YARS.”
Ryan previously helped secure this funding in the House Appropriations Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill.
Coviello and Abruzzino also gave shout-outs to local and state leaders who have consistently provided support to EOMAC. YARS has been a top public policy priority during the Chamber’s annual Columbus Drive-In and D.C. Fly-In advocacy days.