Friday, June 26, 2009

An Economic Way Forward

Not that Youngstown should put all its eggs in any one basket, but I see great potential in the energy sector for a regional economic renaissance:

"We want to find ways to reduce this nation's dependence on oil by creating alternative and sustainable forms of energy using the skills and talents already possessed by local industrial workers,'' said Jack Scott, president and chief operating officer of Parsons Corp., California.

Scott, a graduate of Youngstown State University, said he sees no reason why a corridor or region including Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown, Pittsburgh and Warren, could not become a leader in manufacturing ''Green'' technology.

''There is the intellectual capacity and the skills to make the necessary changes to turn the area around,'' Scott said Monday. ''We only have to better utilize the talents of people already here.''

Notice that Mr. Scott doesn't live or work in Greater Youngstown. He's an expatriate who still sees greatness in the Steel Valley. Pay close attention to his geography of redevelopment. It's not just the home to his alma mater. He's talking about all of Cleveburgh.

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