Struthers council moves to apply for Community Reinvestment Area offering long‑term residential abatement

City officials told the Struthers City Council they plan to establish a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) under Ohio Revised Code Sections 3735.65–3735.70 to offer a property tax abatement — typically up to 15 years — for new residential construction within designated boundaries.

A staff presenter said the city worked with Youngstown State University and Mahoning Youngstown Development Corporation language and urged council to move quickly because the application timing gives communities a competitive advantage. “This is something ... the number one thing they’re telling people to do is the CRA,” a staff member said, noting that other nearby communities used a similar model.

Council asked procedural questions about readings and timing. Staff advised that the legislation typically requires three readings and that the application must be submitted by a set deadline; the council made a motion to bring the ordinance forward and discussed granting emergency consideration to meet application timing. No final adoption vote was recorded during the meeting, but staff were directed to proceed with application preparation and with the ordinance's readings so the city can meet external deadlines.

Staff also discussed examples of other communities’ CRA efforts, how a CRA designation establishes boundaries and appoints a housing officer to administer the program, and the need to designate the area in ordinance language as required by state law. Council members discussed whether a CRA would incentivize new private investment and how it would interact with other local development goals.