Loychik Announces Budget Investment Will Create Vienna Air Heritage Park in Trumbull County

State Rep. Mike Loychik (R-Bazetta) announces his securing of a capital budget investment at the Statehouse has led to the approval of creating the Vienna Air Heritage Park in coordination with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Western Reserve Port Authority.

The announcement comes after the Western Reserve Port Authority (WRPA) board of directors approved the purchase of twenty-two acres in Vienna, Ohio for the creation of the Vienna Air Heritage Park on property that’s owned by the Youngstown Air Reserve Stations (YARS), which is home of the 910th Airlift Wing. 

Loychik notes his amendment to the state operating budget and subsequent capital budget led directly to this new investment, among other critical projects surrounding YARS.  

“As I proudly wore the uniform during my time in the U.S. Air Force, I’m blessed to be in a position to support our servicemen and women that put on a uniform every day,” said Loychik. “I’ll continue to fight in Columbus to make sure we support our local military here in Trumbull and Ashtabula Counties.”

This purchase, totaling just over $200,000 from the state capital budget earmark secured by Loychik, will allow the WRPA, Vienna Township, Trumbull County, and the 910th to move forward with their plan to create an air heritage park. The park will showcase the storied history of the 910th and the Air Force Reserve in Northeast Ohio. Coupled with additional investment, the planned facility will have storyboards, aircraft displays, and biographies from notable Valley Leaders who were critical in the preservation and success of military aviation in Vienna. 

Anthony Trevena, Executive Director of the WRPA, lauded the effort as he said, “The air heritage park serves two, great purposes, preventing encroachment surrounding YARS, and showcasing the rich history of the 910th in the Mahoning Valley.” He continued, “without the support of the legislature and the work of Rep. Loychik, the project would not be possible.”

The Youngstown Air Reserve Station traces its lineage back to 1952 and is Trumbull County’s largest employer, with close to 2,000 employees and over $150 million in annual economic impact.