LISBON, Ohio – The Columbiana County Port Authority has been awarded a $2 million grant to expand water sampling efforts related to the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine.

The grant was announced during Monday’s CCPA Board of Directors meeting by Director Brittany Smith.

The application for the Expanded Potable Water Sampling program was submitted in partnership with the county health department and was awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency, Smith said.

This grant will allow current well testing to be expanded to the remainder of the county outside the derailment zone, Smith said.

The program will run through Dec. 31, 2031.

“We are actively working with the health department and the EPA to develop a strategic plan to guide our next steps into the program rollout,” Smith said.

She said the hope is to begin the project in September. First, proposals must be requested from labs to do the testing.

The health department will collect the samples to be tested.

The board voted unanimously to authorize the director to negotiate, approve and execute proposals for a contract with Tetra Tech for services related to the EPA grant. The firm will assist in building community confidence by delivering comprehensive educational services, according to Smith.

Those will include conducting public-facing educational sessions explaining the purpose, process and importance of potable water well testing; helping residents understand their individual test results and what they mean for household safety; developing accessible educational materials – digital and printed – that explain how testing is conducted, why it matters and what steps residents can take in response to results; monthly social media posts; advertising for the program; and supporting ongoing public engagement and communication through the program’s end.

Walkable Downtowns

Smith also reported that the CCPA’s original contract with Town Center Associates has been extended for an additional 12 months at a cost of $60,000.

“We have been very pleased with the results of their studies and have received great feedback from the seven walkable downtowns that are participating in this study,” she told board members.

The next event planned with Town Center is from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 5 when the port authority will host a Downtown Properties Strategy Series at its Lisbon offices.

The event will focus on building and signage improvements. Practical approaches to improving building facades and upgrading business signage are key elements in attracting tenants, customers and investment, according to information provided to potential attendees.

Invitations have been extended to a host of community leaders. “We hope to have a great turnout,” Smith said.

Those interested in attending need to RSVP at least one week prior to the session by contacting Kim Nicoles at tca@towncenter.info or 724 728 0500.

Grant Application

The board also voted unanimously during Monday’s meeting to authorize the director to negotiate, approve and execute necessary documents to apply for the U.S. Marine Highway program, which would allow for the purchase and integration of two diesel-over-hydraulic 8-yard clamshell buckets essential to cargo handling operations at Pier 48 in the Wellsville Intermodal Facility.

The total project cost is $557,837, with the CCPA’s grant request totaling $440,683 and a matching share of $117,143 from Pier 48.

If the grant is awarded, the new buckets will replace two 10-yard buckets manufactured in 1976. One is no longer in service, and the other requires constant shutdowns and repairs, Smith said.

A memorandum of understanding was also approved by the board allowing the port authority to apply for the USMH  program, with Pier 48 as the co-applicant.

Job Board

Smith said a free job board posted on the CCPA website has proven to be “very well received” across the county, with several businesses participating.

First mentioned at the board’s last meeting, the job board is being updated regularly with “great feedback so far,” Smith said.