Mahoning County commissioners and staff on Oct. 30 described recent community investments funded in part with federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and opioid-settlement dollars, citing long-term community benefits from projects that have moved into operation.

Officials reported the opening of the Smith Wellness Center, described as a facility available to law enforcement, ambulance crews and other first responders across Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull counties. Speakers said the center offers counseling, peer support, an exercise room and space for debriefing after traumatic incidents. County staff and project partners credited opioid-settlement dollars and local partners with making the facility possible and said it will host training, peer-support activities and other services intended to address first-responder mental-health needs.

Commissioners also discussed the Boardman Township stormwater project, a 14-acre preserve and park that includes a track and seating and, officials said, will hold back approximately 2,000,000 gallons of stormwater runoff to reduce basement flooding for nearby residents. Speakers described the site's educational potential, saying Youngstown State University and other partners can use the site for environmental sampling and instruction; a pavilion for public gatherings was announced as a forthcoming addition.

Speakers framed the projects as long-term investments following earlier ARPA appropriations and other grant leverage. Commissioners urged residents to use and support the new facilities and said the investments illustrate cooperation among county government, townships and other partners.