Desperation Town

How Youngstown Gave Itself Away for the Promise of Jobs

The Business Journal and ProPublica are investigating how Ohio’s Mahoning Valley has used financial incentives in hopes of an economic comeback in the heart of the Rust Belt.

Impact of Our Reporting

The City That Pinned Its Renewal on a Self-Chilling Beverage Can Wants Its Money Back

by Dan O’Brien, The Business Journal

March 31, 2021, 5:30 pm EDT

7 stories published since 2020

Ohio Just Ordered GM to Repay $28 Million in Tax Breaks for Closing the Lordstown Auto Plant

by Dan O’Brien, The Business Journal

September 28, 2020, 4:21 pm EDT
Republicans and Democrats Agree: GM Should Pay Back the Taxpayers of Ohio

by Dan O’Brien, The Business Journal

July 1, 2020, 6:00 am EDT
GM Closed the Lordstown Auto Plant. Now Ohio May Force a $60 Million Repayment.

by Dan O’Brien, The Business Journal

June 15, 2020, 5:15 pm EDT
We Reported on Corporate Tax Breaks in the Rust Belt. Now Officials Want Tougher Enforcement.

by Dan O’Brien, The Business Journal

June 5, 2020, 5:30 am EDT
These Companies Got Millions in Tax Breaks to Bring Jobs to Youngstown. They Created Next to None.

by Dan O’Brien, The Business Journal

May 12, 2020, 5:00 am EDT
Why a Struggling Rust Belt City Pinned Its Revival on a Self-Chilling Beverage Can

by Dan O’Brien, The Business Journal

May 11, 2020, 5:00 am EDT