Correspondent photo / John Patrick Gatta Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, right, and Warren Mayor Doug Franklin, center, speak to the media Monday afternoon outside Packard Music Hall in Warren about progress that has been made along the Mahoning River in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. In the background is Girard Mayor Mark Zuppo. Other mayors attending were Struthers Mayor Catherine Cercone Miller, Hubbard Mayor Ben Kyle, Youngstown Mayor Derrick McDowell, Niles Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz and Newton Falls Mayor David Hanson.

WARREN — To get the maximum usage that a revitalized Mahoning River offers, a coordinated effort needed to happen between local and state governments.

Highlighting two decades of cooperation, “Momentum on the Mahoning: Celebrating 20+ Years of Regional Partnership” took place Monday afternoon at Packard Music Hall to celebrate the progress made and discuss future plans.

To get a better sense of the impact that the Mahoning River Corridor Mayors Association has done, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine joined Warren Mayor Doug Franklin, Niles Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz, Girard Mayor Mark Zuppo, Newton Falls Mayor David Hanson, Youngstown Mayor Derrick McDowell and Struthers Mayor Catherine Cercone Miller on a brief paddling trip on four to six person Rocky Mountain rafts provided by Mahoning River Adventures, who also had its guides navigate the three watercrafts for safety.

Hubbard Mayor Ben Kyle was unable to go on the trip but attended the Momentum event.

After a brief discussion with DeWine on the damages in Boardman following Sunday’s storm and possible tornado and announcing that he would be going there after the Packard event finished, the news conference outside of Packard Music Hall transitioned to the Mahoning River.

Asked about the paddling trip, a beaming Franklin said, “It was really a pleasure. It was actually kind of calming. The river was a little swift and a little high due to the storms we had yesterday, but it was a great experience.”

He mentioned that DeWine mentioned two years ago that he would go down the Mahoning before his final term was completed and the governor followed through with that promise Monday.

“We’re executing our vision to connect all of our neighborhoods, our downtown, and our three parks along the river shore with each other, and that plan is coming together tremendously fast,” said Franklin.

DeWine added, “It’s already a great place to get out on the river but it’s going to get better and better. I think it’s going to draw more and more people.

“One of the things that we are finding around Ohio is people are rediscovering water. They’re rediscovering how fun it is to be out on a river, whether you’re up on Lake Erie or whether you’re on one of our rivers. So many different rivers all over and here, it’s just a great opportunity for many, many miles to get out and have fun.”

Flowing through five Ohio counties — Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Stark and Portage — as well as a small portion in western Pennsylvania, the Mahoning River runs 113 miles. For decades, local industries dumped large amounts of heavy metal pollutants and chemicals into the river. Since those industries closed, environmentalists, paddlers and politicians have been working toward a healthier ecosystem for the waterway and a future as a recreation area that enhances economic development.

As a result of the regional partnerships, more than $39 million has been secured in public investment and environmental restoration funding, supporting riverfront revitalization, environmental improvements, infrastructure, recreation and community development throughout the river’s corridor.

Franklin acknowledged the other mayors in working together to get the funding to remove the four obsolete low-head dams that restored miles of free-flowing river for paddling, fishing, recreation, habitat restoration and improved water quality and described it as “our most significant accomplishment.” The plan is to remove five more dams with Leavittsburg’s taken out last fall.

Moneen McBride, owner of Mahoning River Adventures, pointed out that once all the dams are finally removed one can paddle all the way down to the state line.

At the Momentum discussion, following brief remarks by Franklin and DeWine, and a presentation to the governor of a painting of a muskie by Warren artist Aaron Chine, the mayors presented updates on their cities’ river involvement.

Mientkiewicz mentioned the Riverside revitalization projects happening that include a launch area. He described the changes as “truly transformative” and gave credit to the Appalachian Regional Commission grant for the funding.

McDowell also mentioned the ARC grant for funding the renovation happening at the Spring Commons area near the B&O Station near the Mahoning Avenue Bridge as well as a study to redevelop 1,200 acres of industrial land near the river.

Cercone Miller also credited the grant with her Struthers riverfront project and mentioned an additional 28 acres that will be potentially developed.

“We stand on the shoulders of our ancestors. How important this river is. How important clean water, sewers and utilities are for its citizens,” Miller said.

Speaking on the work being done to revitalize the Mahoning River, she said, “It’s a great opportunity for our local residents and people traveling to the area to experience the area from a different perspective. When you see the area from the river, it gives you a greater appreciation of it.

“A lot of people don’t notice the river till they’re gone. They leave, and then they come back after things have changed. So, the Mahoning River’s going through a major revitalization project and it’s a long time coming, just like the Cuyahoga River’s revitalization project. The Mahoning River’s got a good story and a lot in its future.”

Earlier, Franklin summed up the attitude and collective approach that aims to remake the area.

“For 250 years, the Mahoning River has reflected the story of America. It served as a frontier boundary, fueled the industrial revolution and helped build a nation and now stands at the center of our environmental and economic rebirth.

“So, as we celebrate America 250, we honor a river, a valley and a community that has never stopped reinventing itself.”