Local businesswoman starts organization to help develop Youngstown's East Side

The Eastside Business Association aims to bring new development and economic opportunities to the underserved neighborhood.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 3:18am

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RaCole Taltoan, a businesswoman on Youngstown's East Side, has created a new organization called the Eastside Business Association to help spur economic development and revitalization in the long-neglected neighborhood. The EBA will hold its first meeting this weekend, with the goal of bringing new businesses, housing, and community spaces to the area.

Why it matters

Youngstown's East Side has faced decades of disinvestment, with many vacant lots and aging housing stock. By forming the Eastside Business Association, Taltoan hopes to give residents a unified voice to advocate for new development and resources that can improve the economic and social conditions of the neighborhood.

The details

Taltoan, who owns a business on McGuffey Road, says the East Side has long felt "forgotten" by the rest of the city. The EBA aims to attract new businesses, housing, and community amenities like food trucks and playgrounds to the area. Taltoan is particularly interested in seeing new single-family and multi-family homes developed, rather than more apartments.

  • The Eastside Business Association will hold its first meeting on Saturday, March 18, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The players

RaCole Taltoan

A businesswoman on Youngstown's East Side who founded the Eastside Business Association to spur economic development in the neighborhood.

Eastside Business Association

A new organization created by RaCole Taltoan to advocate for new businesses, housing, and community spaces on Youngstown's East Side.

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What they’re saying

“I always felt like the East Side was forgotten about. We were like the stepchildren of the city, the rest of the city.”

— RaCole Taltoan, Founder, Eastside Business Association

“I want to one day come down this street and be able to get gas, get my taxes done, stop at the convenience store, get food, go to a grocery store, all of those things that we used to do.”

— RaCole Taltoan, Founder, Eastside Business Association

What’s next

The Eastside Business Association will hold its first meeting this Saturday, March 18, 2026, where residents can bring their concerns and ideas for developing the East Side neighborhood.

The takeaway

By forming the Eastside Business Association, local businesswoman RaCole Taltoan is giving a voice to the long-neglected East Side of Youngstown and working to attract new investment, businesses, and amenities that can revitalize the community and improve the quality of life for residents.