COLUMBIANA, Ohio – High school students in Columbiana County may want to stay close to home after they graduate, but some fear the opportunities for a job in their chosen field or one that can support a family won’t be available to them.
Twelve students from schools across the county and members of the Columbiana County Junior Business Advisory Council and the CASH Coalition spoke before educators and business leaders at Vision Forum 2025 at the Columbiana Arts Theater on Thursday.
With their sights set on careers that include neurosurgeon, accountant, NFL sideline reporter, mechanical engineer, physical therapist and military heavy machine operator, most of the students have thought a lot about their future and have some big goals. Some said that after college, training or the military, they would return to the area – if there are opportunities.
The students pointed out that the area’s emphasis on manufacturing jobs doesn’t work for everyone.
“I think in order to make the community better, we need to make more jobs,” said Clara McCloskey, a Salem student. “If … we want people to stay here, we need to make more jobs, not just manufacturing jobs. We need to focus on the big dream jobs too.”
Five of the 12 students said they were confident they would be living in the area in the future, and three more said staying was a possibility. But four were adamant that staying was not in their futures.
The students are not alone. Dennis Dunham, director of teaching and learning at the Columbiana County Educational Service Center, said population decline in the county is not slowing. In the next 25 years, it is estimated there will be a 24.8% population decline, according to research prepared by the Ohio Department of Development.
On a map created from that research, only 14 of Ohio’s counties are projected to grow. Mahoning County shows a 22.44% decline, and Trumbull is expected to see a 19.7% loss.
A loss of a quarter of the population in Columbiana County would adversely affect the housing market, community vitality and infrastructure, workforce, education and the closure of businesses, Dunham said.
“There’s less foot traffic and a reduction in community services, which in turn may deter future investment,” he said.
Dunham added that it’s important for students to be part of the conversation as future residents, employees, business owners and civic leaders of the county.
“I would agree with the adage the smartest person in the room is the room,” Dunham said. “Collectively, we’re better. So the Business Advisory Council is an ideal organization that has a vested interest to work with all of you to create a sustainable path forward, and together … we can turn these challenges into opportunities and ensure that our counties remain thriving hubs for business and families alike, despite the challenges posed by population decline.”
The forum included an asset survey, which students in grades seven through 10 have been taking for about 30 years. The premise of the survey is that the more developmental assets and resources students have, the more likely they will be to meet challenges and avoid riskier behavior.
Many teens in the county have emphasized the importance of feeling like they have a voice and that adults are listening to them – which is part of the reason students were invited into the Business Advisory Council.
Melissa Galbreath of the Columbiana County ESC said students want to help make their communities better. About 53% volunteer, and 80% help their friends and neighbors, according to the asset survey.
Another asset described Thursday is the importance of a third space. Of the students surveyed at 11 schools in the county, more than three-quarters of them have no activities outside of school. Aside from school and home, many lacked a safe place to go in the community where they felt valued.
“I think the third space is actually a great idea because I know a lot of my friends that I don’t see outside of school. They just go home to do nothing, and then eventually you get involved in the wrong stuff,” said Luke Rettos, a Beaver Local student.
Some of the students spoke about the importance of being encouraged that they can succeed and being pushed to step outside their comfort zones to try something new.
“Some people might think if you’re born in a small town that you can’t achieve the impossible,” said Ben Wolford, a Salem student. “You can go as far as you’re willing to go. … They could leave and then bring back more opportunity for people for the next generation to come.”
Many of the students said what they want is to feel satisfied in their jobs. They want more work-life balance and the socialization that comes with in-person employment. Mostly, they said they want support and respect instead of negativity from adults.
“Honestly, all I ask for is the mutual respect. You ask for respect, I give it, and that’s all I ask for back,” said Kasey Williams, a Leetonia student. “In a workplace, I would like mutual respect where I work for my employer, and I get a good job, good pay and I work to make my community better.”
Pictured at top: Students from Columbiana County participate in Vision Forum 2025 at the Columbiana Arts Theater on Thursday.