THANK YOU FOR YOUR OVERWHELMING SUPPORT!

Recognition & Accomplishments

Since taking office, Jim has received multiple awards not only for himself, but also for many local organizations. Jim has made it a point to give credit where it is deserved and makes sure the City of Ashtabula is receiving the recognition and attention it deserves.

At the Growth Partnership Best of the County Celebration in September of 2019, Jim was awarded the Young Economic Development Leader of the Year Award. This award is presented to recognize talented and accomplished young leaders in economic Development to encourage greater contributions by local young leaders to community and countywide economic development. Jim’s collaboration with many local organizations as well as developers has brought a renewed pride to the City. He attracted a local group of investors to build a much needed hotel in the City, the first of its kind in over 100 years. He has worked with many different agencies to attract the new Pig Iron Plant. New businesses large and small as well as expansion projects have all been a part of Jim’s tenure with the City and even prior in his role as the Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.

In 2015, Jim was inducted into the St. John Hall of Fame. He served as President of the St. John Board of Directors during its rebuilding years and was instrumental in creating the President/Principal model of governance which is used throughout the schools in the Youngstown Dioceses today. Jim also was an assistant and head coach for the Heralds football team and coached Junior High Basketball for many years at his alma mater.

In 2013, Jim was selected by the Young Professionals of Ashtabula County as one of the “Top 5 Under 45” recipients. The award is given to five local business and professional leaders who have achieved distinguished success before the age of 45 and that demonstrate leadership, initiative and dedication in pursuing their careers and who invest themselves in others through their involvement in civic, charitable and/or religious organizations.

Jim and his staff have spent countless hours working to develop Bridge Street along with building owners and entrepreneurs who have invested heavily in the City. Those efforts have led this historic area to become a regional destination for tourism and the area has received many awards for their efforts.

The Ohio Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Ohio) announced its winners of the inaugural Great Places in Ohio awards. The biennial awards program honors outstanding physical spaces throughout the state that planners have created and nurtured through careful planning and unbridled imagination. In 2018 Bridge Street was one of two statewide Commercial District winners.

Also in 2018, Bridge St. was named America’s Main Street in a national contest presented by Independent We Stand. The America’s Main Street contest promoted civic enthusiasm, promoted Bridge Street nationwide and earned the district $25,000 plus other prizes.

Partnership to remove Blight

JAMES M. TIMONERE - ASHTABULA CITY MANAGER

Still More Work To Do...

While much has been accomplished, there is still more to do. The City must continue to remove blighted structures and seek funding for capital projects to update and repair aging infrastructure. Jim has been involved in discussions with current and new employers in our area. The addition of the Pig Iron Plant and Riverbend Hotel in the Harbor are just two projects that need a leader to manage and see through to their completion. He will continue to seek creative ways to improve the City, bringing new ideas and partnerships to accomplish these goals to our community. Jim will work hard to continue restoring leadership and pride in the City of Ashtabula.

JAMES M. TIMONERE - ASHTABULA CITY MANAGER

RESTORING LEADERSHIP, RESTORING PRIDE

Founded in 2013 by the Ashtabula County Treasurer's Office, Jim has served as a board member and Vice Chairman of the Ashtabula County Land Bank since its inception. With the help of his staff, the Land Bank applied for a grant through the Neighborhood Initiative Program (NIP). What started as a $500,000.00 award turned into over $4.3 million in grant funding to remove blight throughout the County. The City was the largest benefactor of this program. Jim and his staff managed the demolitions within the City limits, stretching every dollar as far as possible. Over 170 blighted structures came down in the City under this particular grant alone.

In 2017, the Land Bank was recognized at the Growth Partnership Best of the County Awards Banquet with the Community Vitality Award thanks in part to the active role Jim and his staff play in the land bank’s activities and pursuit of its mission.

Securing Grants

When Jim took office in December of 2011, he needed to mend relationships with Federal, State and Local Offices and Officials as well as bring the City back into compliance with respect to grant funding. Immediately, he created the Department of Planning & Community Development (PCD) which encompassed the former departments of Housing, Community Development, Economic Development, Engineering and Housing Inspection. This entailed extensive communication with State Departments, City Council, City Staff and Local #1197. Once in place, PCD began rebuilding the City's reputation and has secured several grants to accomplish projects City funds could never pay for. In 2017, the City of Ashtabula received the Ohio Conference of Community Development Community Development Department of the year for their outstanding work.

These are just a few examples of the millions of dollars Jim has brough to the City under his leadership:

$1 million for a new AFD Ladder Truck – FEMA Assistance to Firefighters . There were 1,757 vehicle grant applications. 202 awards were made in total across the US. The City's was the largest award in state of Ohio and the 3rd largest in the nation.
$1.2 million for Collins Blvd. – Small Cities Grant Funding which is extremely competitive.
Small Cities Grant Funding to repave Rt. 20 from the eastern City limits to Center St.
$460,000 for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Ferry Drive – Congressional Earmark from Congressman Joyce
$400,000 to expand the Samaritan House – State of Ohio Capital Budget Request
Moving Ohio Forward Grant - Secured funding through the Ohio Attorney General's Office for housing demolitions
Allocation Grant - $85,000 grant for commercial structure demolitions
Recreational Harbor Evaluation Program - $149,521 project to dredge portions of the Ashtabula River near Brockway Marina
2013 CDBG Downtown Revitalization and Critical Infrastructure Grants - Two Downtown Revitalization Grants helped install a public parking lot in the booming Ashtabula Harbor and also provided $100,000 to building and business owners in the form of up to $10,000 grants to each to fix and upgrade their buildings. The Critical Infrastructure Grant was used to re-brick the north side of Hulbert Hill. In total, the City received almost $700,000 to perform this work which was completed in 2015.
ODOT Transportation Alternatives Grant - These funds were used to replace the stairs leading from Point Park to Bridge Street in the Ashtabula Harbor in 2015.
Latest application - Appalachian Community Grant Program – Jim has committed these resources to Main Avenue if awarded. The most current plan requests $9 million for Main Ave.

These are grants that are not for show and flashing lights, but for improvements to businesses and our community while preserving the City's budget.

It's not just about getting the grants, its about having the experience and ability to administer the grants in order to remain in compliance and ensure more grants will come in the future.