LISBON, Ohio — A $440,683 grant awarded to the Columbiana County Port Authority will provide funding for a Wellsville business to buy additional equipment.
Port Director Brittany Smith reported on receipt of the U.S. Marine Highway Grant through the Maritime Administration during Monday’s CCPA board of directors’ meeting.
The federal funds will be used to purchase two additional clam shell buckets for Pier 48, located in the Wellsville Intermodal Facility.
According to Smith, this award aligns with the Maritime Assistance Program grant announced earlier this year which will allow the project to expand while reducing the amount of funding required from Pier 48.
She said after the meeting a $132,816 Maritime Grant previously awarded was used as the matching share for the project.
Smith offered thanks and recognition for the Port Authority staff for its hard work and dedication in preparing the grant application for the federal monies.
Also announced by Smith were two other projects getting under way this summer, including one focusing on livable downtowns in the county.
Haedan Panezott, who heads the project, emphasized it is composed of two separate programs: Downtown Renovation and Downtown Signage.
According to CCPA documents, the building renovation program provides forgivable loan assistance for eligible renovation projects located within vacant downtown store fronts in Columbiana County’s seven walkable downtown areas. Funding may be used for codified building improvements and rehabilitation activities that contribute to the activation and reuse of commercial spaces.
Eligible applicants may receive up to $50,000 or 50% of total project costs, whichever is less. Awards will be issued as forgivable loans with 20% forgiven annually over a five-year period, providing the business remains operational or similarly occupied. Applications must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. Aug. 31., with award announcements anticipated by Oct. 1.
The signage program will assist businesses with exterior signage improvements that enhance visibility, vibrancy and overall downtown character, according to the documents. The program will provide reimbursement up to 50% of project costs, not to exceed $1,000. Eligible projects must comply with applicable local zoning and design requirements.
“The renovation program will be competitive, while the signage program will be treated as a first-come, first-served program,” Panezott explained.
Acknowledging that accumulating the information needed for the grant agreement “took some time,” Panezott said, “We’re ready for a June 1 launch date.”
Smith said any business or building owner or entrepreneurs interested in applying for funding assistance should contact the Columbiana County Port Authority, 7860 Lincole Place, Lisbon, OH 44432 or email Panezott at haedanp@ccpa-ohioriver.com or Smith at bsmith@ccpa-ohioriver.com to obtain an application and review program requirements. Information also is available at the CCPA website.
“We are excited to see those programs move forward and look forward to supporting continued investment and revitalization throughout our downtown communities,” Smith said.
Smith also reported that, later this month, the Port’s JobsOhio partner, Lake to River Economic Development, will begin conducting a comprehensive wage and benefits survey across the four-county region.
The survey collection period will begin in late May, remaining open through July. Publication of results is anticipated in late August.
Smith said the Port Authority will assist in distributing the survey and encouraging participation among companies with 10 or more employees within the manufacturing, distribution, technology, professional and health-care sectors.
According to Smith, information collected will help participating businesses benchmark their compensation and benefits packages against regional peers.
She said is it important that businesses throughout Columbiana County participate so the county is appropriately represented within the regional data set.
All data collected through the survey will remain confidential, she said. No companies will be identified individually and no information will be shared with third parties. All companies that participate will receive a copy of the final publication.
Also during her report, Smith congratulated True North, a company located in East Liverpool, on being awarded the Excellence in Technology Award by the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance.
Saying the award recognizes organizations which are not only advancing technology but also creating opportunity, driving innovation and strengthening the communities they call home, Smith said, “When the opportunity arose to nominate a company from Columbiana County, True North immediately stood out.”
She pointed out the company’s investment in East Liverpool has brought more than 50 high-quality technology jobs into the city’s historic downtown, transforming not only a building but the trajectory of the community itself.
“The Port Authority was proud to nominate True North and even more excited to celebrate this well-deserved recognition,” she said.
Smith also recognized the Port’s partnership with the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center, noting that on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, staff members will honor six students with the Port’s second annual Manufacturing the Future Award scholarships.
Recipients will be three seniors from the machining department and three from the welding department who have been identified as most employable, most improved and most innovative.
Students will receive a scholarship of either $500 or $1,000 to assist in whatever is needed for the next step in their career.
Thanking CCCTC for its continued partnership and MAGNET for sharing in the cost of the scholarships, Smith said, “It is important that we recognize and encourage these students as they begin careers in manufacturing, an industry that continues to play a vital role in both our local and regional economy.”
In business matters Monday, the board approved a resolution renewing the lease agreement for 906 square feet of office space used by the county’s Office of Economic Development, 7860 Lincole Place, with no increase in the $1,047 monthly cost which includes rent, utilities and expenses.
Board member Tad Herold, who serves as head of the economic development department, abstained from the voting.