EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio – The opening of the new True North headquarters at 119 E. Fifth St. may have come as a surprise to some naysayers, but not to owner and CEO Charles Bailey.
“I was told this would never happen, that nothing happens in East Liverpool,” he told those who gathered for the grand opening Wednesday.
Bailey admitted he initially couldn’t find a contractor who believed in the vision – or the budget.
“I said to the team, ‘Let’s do it ourselves. Let’s make it high tech but gritty.’ They said it couldn’t be done. We said, ‘Hold our beer.’”
A year ago, the plans were announced for the renovation of the True North building, and several partners in the project spoke Wednesday about its success, which includes bringing 60 jobs to the city, with more anticipated.
“Today, you will hear from state, local and county leaders who can show you what’s possible when government works together with private employers to achieve a common goal. You will hear how Ohio is putting forgotten towns like East Liverpool back on the map,” Bailey said.
He introduced Kristy Tanner, senior managing director at JobsOhio, one of the project investors, who said she and others had come to tour the Thompson Building four years ago when Bailey expressed interest in the historic building.
However, he realized it is too small for his needs, according to Tanner. “He didn’t just give up on East Liverpool; he found this building and said [it] is going to work,” she said.
She noted that the Buckeye Online School for Success will relocate from the building to the renovated Thompson Building.
“From a JobsOhio standpoint, we look at this as a great opportunity to support two phenomenal redevelopment projects right here in the heart of East Liverpool,” she said.
The $1.8 million project was supported by a $700,000 JobsOhio Vibrant Communities Grant. The grant program has been used on 40 projects around the state, according to Tanner.
“This one exemplifies the intent of that program more than any other,” she said. She added that the intent is to bring more people, traffic and investment into the heart of downtown.
Also commending the True North team and others involved was Alexa Sweeney Blackann, interim CEO of Lake to River Economic Development.
“What’s happening here is a powerful validation,” she said. “When state, regional and local partners align behind a shared vision, real progress happens. This is exactly the kind of momentum we’re working to build across all four of our counties.”
Blackann called the project “a strategic investment in the downtown corridor with untapped potential.”
She said it sends a clear signal to others that this is a community ready for investment.
Penny Traina, retired Columbiana County Port Authority executive director and now a Lake to River board member, called Wednesday “an incredible day for East Liverpool, our county and for the future we are building together in Ohio.”
She said the project is more than bricks and mortar. “Together, we turned a century-old building into a state-of-the-art headquarters for True North, which will also be home to Fresh on Fifth,” she said, referring to the cafe that will use the ground floor of the building.
“As someone who has spent years advocating for this county … I can tell you – this moment matters,” she said. “It shows that we are not defined by our past but by our potential.”
Mayor Bobby Smith, a lifelong city resident, said watching the decline of the city starting in 1980 was heartbreaking, so seeing this promising investment is “absolutely amazing.”
Bailey gave credit to his team members, including Lorie Kline, vice president of human resources and administration, for creating a headquarters that gives employees everything they need, including a completely wireless building, bright, attractive surroundings, coffee bars, a quiet room, lactation room and a gym.
The building once housed a JCPenney department store and still boasts the original staircases used by shoppers. Among those touring the new headquarters Wednesday were three former JCPenney employees: Linda White, who worked at the store for 47 years; Charline Lewis, 20 years; and Linda Williams, 15 years.
Founded in 2012, True North specializes in accounting, medical billing, consulting and revenue cycle management.
Pictured at top: From left are Alexa Sweeney Blackann, interim CEO of Lake to River; Penny Traina, retired executive director of the Columbiana County Port Authority; Mayor Bobby Smith; Chuck Bailey, CEO of True North; Mike Hallek, Columbiana County commissioner; and Kristi Tanner, senior managing director at JobsOhio.