Overcoming Difficulties: Success Stories and Accomplishments of our Economy
Our community was built around several steel manufacturing plants. The largest of these plants was The Youngstown Sheet And Tube Company. When the manufacture of steel in the United States became financially destructive to investors, the plant was shut down. Many entrepreneurs tried to reopen the plant and all failed. Finally, it was torn down leaving behind it the wreckage of what was once a river, The Mahoning River, now gorged with pollution and an eyesore when visible. However, in the area that plant was located now stands another plant that is hiring personnel and keeping the Mahoning Valley alive. A few other businesses have been given federal monies to operate in the site of the old Sheet and Tube and what was the Republic Steel Company. The area known as the Mahoning Valley has proven itself to be resilient and has found work in construction, both building and maintenance. The offspring of the old steel workers still cling to the community social patterns established by the mill towns or the company towns. There are many of these second and third generation mill town workers offspring who have proven themselves to be exceptional business men and have opened up restaurants and services companies to see to the needs of those who still work in private factories or in the surrounding areas.