Youngstown Business & Professional Association recipient of community enhancement grant

This week, the Youngstown Business and Professional Association announced the awarding of a grant from the William G. Mayne Jr. Business/Community Enhancement Program.

"By working with the Sentinel staff, our 'Welcome to Youngstown" brochure 2013/2014 is by far the best brochure we've ever had," said Cheryl Butera, YBPA president.

She noted YBPA had initially sought $3,000 in the grant program and was awarded $2,894. "We have been told the Youngstown Business and Professional Association has earned the most grant monies over time than any other entity, and we are very proud of that fact."

With more than 60 active members, YBPA has been able to "give back to the community" in the form of official Youngstown village flags with new brackets with help from the Village of Youngstown, Butera said. The flags were positioned on 16 lampposts accompanied by new hanging flower baskets, as well as the American flags along Main and Lockport streets. Butera said two new flag posts were added to the lampposts in front of the Youngstown Red Brick Village Center on Lockport Street.

 "This year, our brochure's newest feature was the 'open gate' fold, which allows the recipient to easily access the much-improved map of Youngstown, which includes directions to the Niagara Wine Trail, Ransomville, Lewiston, the area businesses, and a complete list of the events through May of 2014," she said.

Above, Mark Butera, YBPA secretary, appears with the sample check, the actual check, and the "wall of fame" at Anchor Spirits in Youngstown.

For more information on the YBPA, visit its Facebook page, call 716-745-7989 or check out www.anchorspirits.com.