Youngstown Vindicator: Promising shift gives hope for the Valley
Lately there’s been rumblings of a resurgence in jobs and opportunity in the Valley.
It started a few years ago with HomeGoods breaking ground on its largest distribution center to date just across the street from the closed General Motors plant.
HomeGoods valiantly spurred economic investment in a community that’s endured economic hardship since good-paying manufacturing jobs began fleeing the area several decades ago.
Committing nearly $100 million on the construction of the warehouse and another $50 million on the creation and retention of over 1,000 jobs, the now fully operational facility has laid the groundwork for additional investment in the area.
Born and raised in Youngstown, I’ve seen and felt the economic pressures of my hometown from family and friends as I grew up.
As a young interior designer learning the industry, I, along with so many others, sought refuge for opportunity outside of Youngstown.
Now, as a Columbus-based small business owner, I travel frequently back to Youngstown for residential and commercial projects.
What I’ve seen in my travels back to my hometown is the revitalization of the Valley and a shift in the interior design industry as a whole, using HomeGoods as a prime example.
Today we’re experiencing the digital renaissance, but HomeGoods recently shut down the online shopping option of their website.
Why? Because digital doesn’t fit their business model.
HomeGoods’ success is built on customers’ treasure hunts through their brick-and-mortar stores. A significant business decision for the TJX behemoth — which incorporates TJ Maxx, Ross and HomeGoods — to make while almost all their competition finds ways to digitize.
I applaud them for staying true to their roots — not to mention, retaining brick and mortar stores is good for jobs! In fact, HomeGoods opened yet another store in Trumbull County earlier this year, and Homesense, another shopping option part of TJX, recently unveiled a new store in Cleveland.
TJX has elevated the HomeGoods brand in other ways. The quality and prices of their home furnishings and fixtures now compete with big box furniture stores like Value City.
I’ve also noticed the resurgence of the Valley through my projects with clients. Some of the most complex and high-paying clients I have are in the Youngstown area, undertaking huge remodels to their homes or breaking ground on new developments.
A promising shift in economic vitality in Youngstown gives me hope for the area, and I’m looking forward to more of it coming!
DANNY RUSSO
Columbus
Formerly of Boardman