Columbiana County Leaders Meet with Lake to River Team
LISBON, Ohio – Representatives of multiple communities and agencies gathered at the Columbiana County Port Authority offices Wednesday to get acquainted with members of the recently created Lake to River Economic Development team.
During Wednesday’s meet and greet, Alexa Sweeney Blackann, interim CEO of Lake to River, said the seventh JobsOhio region, which covers Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties, would not exist if not for the support of Penny Traina, executive director and CEO of the Columbiana County Port Authority.
“I’m here representing a fantastic team of economic development professionals who are very excited about the work we do in our new region,” Blackann said.
Among those attending the meeting were state and county officials and representatives of Columbiana, East Liverpool, East Palestine, Leetonia, Lisbon, New Waterford, Salem, Wellsville, the county career center and the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association.
Blackann explained that JobsOhio is not funded by government or tax dollars but through ownership of the JobsOhio Beverage System liquor enterprise, so its operating profits go toward economic development projects.
Due to this private ownership, JobsOhio is able to guard company trade secrets and offer them confidentiality until the companies are ready to release information, Blackann explained.
For every dollar invested by JobsOhio, $17 comes back to the state in tax revenue, she added.
Blackann said the team works on both sides of the state line with Pennsylvania and West Virginia. “Our four counties in northeast Ohio are the only northeast counties considered Appalachia,” she said.
Calling the network a “huge opportunity” for the four counties, Blackann said Traina reaches out to the team when needed, and they work together on projects.
“Every time I’m in this room, there’s a tremendous collaborative effort from the villages, townships and cities of Columbiana County,” said Michael McGiffen, vice president of engagement and investor relations for Lake to River. “I don’t see that everywhere. Congratulations to all of you in working together. That is what this is all about and what I believe will make this effort successful.”
McGiffen said he has two jobs on the Lake to River team: to make sure all of those present find satisfaction in the effort the team is doing and to make sure the group and entire system stays mission focused.
He encouraged those present at Wednesday’s gathering to use him as their conduit to make their community priorities known. He said though it is important to have investment from Columbus, it is “very important, if not more important, that we’ve got local stack.”
Sarah Boyarko, vice president of economic development for Lake to River, said all of the work the team does in Columbiana County on a daily basis is in partnership with Traina and her team.
“It goes without saying, if you’re aware of a project in your community, or you are a company that’s growing, reach out to Penny and let’s see how we can collectively support your needs,” Boyarko said.
“And let’s move the Columbiana County region to first place across the state of Ohio,” Traina said.
Pictured at top: Lisbon Mayor Peter Wilson speaks with Alexa Sweeney Blackann at the port authority offices in Lisbon.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
