2008 Woodie Awards
Plan for downtown hub could foster growth
Sarah Sole EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: News
Implementing hubs of innovation and opportunity by using Youngstown State University, St. Elizabeth Hospital, The Youngstown Business Incubator and local arts institutions could possibly foster new business growth downtown, said Hunter Morrison, director of campus planning and community development.
"They draw people into your community; they keep people in your community," Morrison said.
The hubs were one facet of the State Economic Development Plan that Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher proposed in a meeting held Friday with officials from Mahoning, Trumbull and Ashtabula counties.
Morrison said he expects the plan, which will implement 12 hubs around the state, to be fully developed by the end of the year. It will center on the idea that along with possible financial incentives, institutions with a concentrated educated population, like community colleges, hospitals, state universities and research centers can be used as anchors to encourage housing and other development.
Urban universities like YSU are major players in cities, Morrison said. YSU would work with the state to advance the hubs. The hub could possibly foster additional housing, retail, and nursing or technical programs at St. Elizabeth.
Morrison gave Bethlehem, Pa. as one strong example of similar work. As part of the Keystone Innovation Zone, which provides state tax incentives for high tech businesses located near universities, high tech businesses have replaced Bethlehem Steel in an industrial park supported by Lehigh University and the city and state.
"They draw people into your community; they keep people in your community," Morrison said.
The hubs were one facet of the State Economic Development Plan that Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher proposed in a meeting held Friday with officials from Mahoning, Trumbull and Ashtabula counties.
Morrison said he expects the plan, which will implement 12 hubs around the state, to be fully developed by the end of the year. It will center on the idea that along with possible financial incentives, institutions with a concentrated educated population, like community colleges, hospitals, state universities and research centers can be used as anchors to encourage housing and other development.
Urban universities like YSU are major players in cities, Morrison said. YSU would work with the state to advance the hubs. The hub could possibly foster additional housing, retail, and nursing or technical programs at St. Elizabeth.
Morrison gave Bethlehem, Pa. as one strong example of similar work. As part of the Keystone Innovation Zone, which provides state tax incentives for high tech businesses located near universities, high tech businesses have replaced Bethlehem Steel in an industrial park supported by Lehigh University and the city and state.
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