Local

U.S. Sen. Brown: Youngstown to receive $32.6M in federal funding to improve public transit

By Mahoning Matters staff
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Cleveland, D-Ohio (left) discussed federal infrastructure funding expected for Youngstown and Ohio with (left to right) Western Reserve Transit Authority Executive Director Dean Harris, WRTA Board President JP Brown and Tenessa Wills, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 272 on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the authority’s headquarters in downtown Youngstown.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Cleveland, D-Ohio (left) discussed federal infrastructure funding expected for Youngstown and Ohio with (left to right) Western Reserve Transit Authority Executive Director Dean Harris, WRTA Board President JP Brown and Tenessa Wills, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 272 on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the authority’s headquarters in downtown Youngstown. (Photo provided)
YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown-area transit agencies like Western Reserve Transit Authority can expect $32.6 million from the federal infrastructure package, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Cleveland, D-Ohio, announced Tuesday.

Brown met with WRTA leaders Tuesday in downtown Youngstown to discuss the available funding, $1.5 million of which has already been distributed to WRTA and Youngstown, according to a news release.

“Much more is coming,” he said — money that can be invested in expanding public transit, job training and pollution-free vehicles.

“This infrastructure funding will allow us to invest in job training, and we wrote the strongest Buy America rules ever, to make sure these tax dollars are spent supporting American products and American workers. The new buses, the construction materials to build new bus shelters and charging stations, the batteries — all of that is going to be built in America and create jobs in America,” Brown is quoted in the release.

Brown, who is chair of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, which oversees public transit, said a total $1.3 billion in federal public transit funding is expected for Ohio, $32.6 million of which is expected in the city. Transit agencies can also apply for additional funds to upgrade fleet vehicles and facilities, according to the release.

“The bipartisan infrastructure law encourages expansion of public transportation and supports development of more climate-friendly technologies in vehicles and service offerings,” Dean Harris, WRTA executive director, is quoted in the release.

“It might surprise some, but WRTA has been researching and preparing for the testing and use of electric and autonomous vehicles. At WRTA, we are preparing to serve Valley residents effectively and efficiently for the next 50 years and beyond.”