Five years ago, we saw the Mahoning Valley on the cusp of economic growth it hadn’t seen in years, perhaps decades. It frightened us.

It frightened us because we weren’t sure we could provide enough human capital to fill all the jobs being created by large companies, including Fortune 200 firms, locating and expanding here. Any failure could come at the expense of our existing, locally owned businesses that might not have the wherewithal to compete for their workforce needs.

Then, last year, we assisted Hubbard art teacher Josh MacMillan’s volunteer effort to organize the inaugural Mahoning Valley Educator of the Year Honors Dinner, an event made possible by his vision and leadership. Afterward, our fears were allayed.

Learning about the work, the dedication and the passion that happens every day in the classroom and every evening outside it gave us confidence that our community will meet the needs of expanding and relocating employers. That’s why, after the 2025 event, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber felt compelled to make sure the Honors Dinner became an annual celebration.

Earlier this month, our confidence was renewed.

Year two saw more nominations, more participation, more momentum. About 400 educators, administrators, community leaders and guests gathered in a display of the energy and conviction helping mold our future leaders.

You see, economic development doesn’t begin with the factory groundbreaking or the new business ribbon cutting. It begins in the classroom.

The Valley is seeing new career pathways emerge in engineering, health care, technology, aerospace and other fields. At the Honors Dinner, we met the teachers preparing our youth for the education needed for these careers.

We came away impressed.

Recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland tells us that jobs providing family-sustaining wages are just as bountiful with high school diplomas as they are with college degrees. At the dinner, we saw teachers preparing students for immediate job placement.

We came away excited.

The Honors Dinner allows us to interact with the education system without the clouds of political discourse over school funding. Without the noise over test scores.

It allows us to see how the classroom is used to instill confidence in kids and help them tap into undiscovered talents. Help prepare them for fulfilling careers, economic prosperity and a high quality of life here in the Mahoning Valley. Everything that test scores don’t measure. Everything that teachers accomplish regardless of the funding model.

Teachers may never see the full impact of their work, but our region feels it every single day.

To the five Mahoning Valley Educator Awards Golden Apple recipients, I say bravo. To the 42 honorees, I say congratulations. To all teachers, everywhere, I say thank you.

I also have a request. The educators at the dinner heard it, but I now ask all teachers, everywhere. Make sure your students and their parents are aware of the opportunities to pursue fulfilling careers, enjoy economic prosperity and experience a high quality of life, right here in the Mahoning Valley.

Guy Coviello is president & CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.