CCPA Unveils Interactive Map of Ohio River Businesses

LISBON, Ohio — An interactive map showing the locations of businesses along the Ohio River unveiled during Monday’s meeting of the Columbiana County Port Authority Board of Directors will help those looking at the tri-state area to “zoom in” on Columbiana County, according to Executive Director Penny Traina.

The map was created by director of development Tad Herold and the agency’s geographic information system, or GIS, team with assistance from Youngstown State University, she said.

It currently lists 18 businesses either located directly on the river or for which “the river is important,” Herold said.

The businesses are numbered, starting with S.H. Bell Co. at the entrance to East Liverpool, continuing down river with Heritage Environmental Services, Growmark, Six Recycling, Heritage Cooperative, TransMontaigne Product Services, East Liverpool Rail Terminal Co., D.W. Dickey & Son Inc., Seaforth Mineral, Parsons Terminal and into Wellsville with Wellsville Terminal Co., Marathon Petroleum Corp., the Columbiana County Port Authority, including the Wellsville Intermodal Facility, Pier 48, CIMBAR Performance Minerals, Quality Liquid Feeds, Anchor USA and Harvest Midstream.

A click on the map brings up information about each individual company, including its address and contact information, as well as a description of its services.

Herold noted the map also shows all horizontal well activity in the area, which he said will allow people to visualize the importance of the oil and gas industry to the area.

The map also shows railroads, but does not have highways highlighted because that “made it too cluttered,” Herold said, adding that state and county roads could eventually be added.

“It’s our draft,” Traina explained, saying the map will eventually be included on the Port Authority’s website, which is currently being updated.

“We hope to highlight Columbiana County and businesses. We can always add things,” Traina said, adding, “We’re also looking at the importance of the Ohio River.”

She said permission was acquired from all the businesses included on the map, with information checked for accuracy. 

Plans are also underway to use interactive maps to market the area’s Opportunity Zones – currently only Wellsville is so designated – Community Reinvestment Acts and Enterprise Zones. Also in the plans are to create a map showing all land parcels. 

Traina said the interactive map is just another step toward the Port Authority’s goal of “one-stop shopping for economic development.”

In other matters Monday, the board, with member Charlie Presley absent, adopted two resolutions renewing leases with existing companies in the Leetonia Industrial Building. 

Approved was a renewal with Mitsubishi Heavy Industry America Inc. for 11,820 square feet at $3 per foot, or a total of $35,460 for the period of Oct. 1, 2019, through Sept. 30, 2020.

There was no increase in cost, and the company will continue paying $2,955 per month plus $130 per month for utilities. 

Also approved as a renewal with Humtown Pattern Co. for 76,107 square feet, which includes an additional 15,637 square foot lease approved in May, with Traina explaining this new resolution just combines the two leases.

The company will pay $17,748.19 per month, which includes an $833.52 common area maintenance fee, effective Oct. 1, 2019 through Sept. 30, 2020.

Lastly, the board approved a resolution amending its rules and regulations, now allowing board members to participate remotely in its meetings, if necessary, instead of requiring attendance in person.

The resolution authorizes members who join meetings via telephone or video conference to exercise all powers of those members in physical attendance, including being counted toward a quorum and being permitted to vote.

Although, in the past, Ohio’s Open Meeting Law prohibited members of a public body from participating as an active member of a meeting via video conference or telephone, including voting, a State Supreme Court ruling now allows it, according to Traina, who said the Port Authority’s bylaws will be changed to reflect the updated provision.

The board’s next regular meeting is set for 5 p.m. Oct. 28.

Pictured: An interactive map unveiled Monday by the Columbiana County Port Authority depicts businesses located along the Ohio River and those that consider the river important to their operations.

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