YOUNGSTOWN — Normally, YBI celebrates successful entrepreneurs and growing businesses.

On Tuesday, the nonprofit organization commemorated the renovation of the YBI Main Building, 241 W. Federal St. in downtown Youngstown and thanked those who helped it reach that goal during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It was the result of a campaign that started two years ago and brought together several generations from the Mahoning Valley’s business, foundation and political worlds.

Prior to the actual ribbon cutting, YBI CEO Barb Ewing said, “We are here today to celebrate this project, which has been a long time coming. We have been so focused on growth that we really neglected our home.

“I was giving a tour to a company from Israel one day and looked around and realized that we really needed to shake some of the dust off and bring this building up to the level of expectation that we have for the types of businesses that we create and quality and programs that we have. It needs to reflect that, and it finally does.

Earlier at the event, she said, “We want this to be a quality building for all of our companies, not just our international companies. So, we started on the fundraising right away.”

With that objective, the company accumulated “gifts” — money, supplies, labor — for the effort from local foundations and businesses.

The building now looks like it’s moved into the modern era with an open and brightly lit workspace, upgrades to its technology infrastructure, and new areas designed to strengthen YBI’s support for entrepreneurs, startups and advanced manufacturers.

Specifically, the parking lot was repaved, new windows that were cut into the brick wall offer much more natural light, while a large conference room with TV screens for presentations now has a kitchenette next door for easier access during events. A seating area and three offices were created and

restrooms were renovated.

“The stairwell had cracking plaster falling down,” said Ewing. “There was a sign saying, ‘Beware of falling plaster,’ that went back a decade.”

Describing the changes that have taken place, she said, “First and foremost, it’s just a different vibe. It’s light and airy and beautiful but it really is much more functional. It feels like the type of place where you would want to start a business, where you would want to be. It also is more functional for us. We were out of office space for our staff. I didn’t have an office. (Senior Vice President) Colleen Kelly didn’t have an office. So, we were able to rationalize the space, get rid of some wasted space.”

While pleased with all the improvements, Ewing is looking forward to completing one more.

“There is a crack in the back of the building that is probably going to be the last project. There’s some discussion around that. It needs to be done, and it’s cheaper to do it now than wait 10 years and let it get worse, but we haven’t finalized that yet.”

Standing in front of a wall emblazoned with the company’s new tagline, “Where Grit Meets Growth,” Ewing thanked the businesses, organizations and individuals who helped with the renovation effort.

“We want this to be a place where people feel welcome, and they want to be here, and they want to convene in this amazing space,” she said.

YBI Chairman of the Board John Reed also addressed the crowd. “This transformation takes us into the future. We’ve had a great past, but we’re growing like crazy, and 2025 has been an amazing year. We’ve done so much. We got the logo, got a new tagline, brought the Innovation Hub here, which is huge, and this beautiful remodel. So, I really feel like we’re on a great roll, and 2026 is going to be even better.”

One of the YBI Main Building tenants, Aundrea Cika Heschmeyer, president and CEO of Marquee Creatives, told those several dozen in attendance, “This is such a great project and on behalf of all the tenants I’m so grateful to all of you for making it happen. It makes life for us here so different. The energy is fantastic. I’m involved in a lot of nonprofits, and we’ve moved a lot of our meetings to this space.

“Everyone knows where YBI is. Everyone knows the convenience of not just this renovated parking lot, but the beautiful rooms. So, when you’re putting it all together for the team, those of us who are tenants also get to take advantage of it as well.”

Following the cutting of the ribbon, Ewing spoke to the crowd once more.

“Thank all of you for coming. Thank you to our board members for being here and our tenants. You are the reason we make these things happen. You are those stories behind our success,” she said.

Benefactors

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Tuesday afternoon to thank the following individuals and organizations that made gifts to the renovation through the “YBI Building for the Future” campaign.

• Mahoning County commissioners (2024 board)

• Hynes & Finnegan Foundations

• Samuel A. & Judy B. Roth

• The Youngstown Foundation

• Sam & Donna Boak

• Edward Barr Charitable Trust

• RT Vernal Paving & Excavating

• City of Youngstown Business Façade Program

• J. Ford Crandall Memorial Foundation

• Kennedy Family Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley

• MG Electric