LISBON, Ohio – Among the actions taken at its regular meeting Monday, the Columbiana County Port Authority Board of Directors approved a resolution naming Brittany R. Smith the new executive director of the organization.

Smith joined the port authority in January 2018. She had been serving as interim executive director in place of Penny Traina, who retired in March.

“I’m very excited,” Smith said about assuming the leadership role.

During the meeting, the board also approved a resolution required by the Appalachian Regional Commission and Ohio Governor’s Office of Appalachia authorizing full application for $250,000 in grant funding for the Columbiana County Downtown Building Renovation and Signage Program.

The port authority announced earlier this year that its pre-application to OMEGA had been selected to move forward, and this resolution is required to make the next step, according to Smith.

She said a $250,000 match will be required if the grant application is selected, but the required match will actually come from the building and business owners selected for renovation dollars.

The full application is due in December, and Smith said she hopes to hear by early 2026 if the funds have been awarded.

Also approved by the board Monday was an option agreement and right of first refusal regarding Pennex Aluminum Co. LLC, located in the Leetonia World Trade Park.

In May 2024, a joint venture was announced between Pennex’s parent company, MX Holdings, based in St. Louis, and Chicago-based Century Aluminum regarding construction of an aluminum smelter.

While the project is currently on hold, “they do envision themselves moving forward,” Smith said.

The option involves two lots in the World Trade Park directly across from the current Pennex facility and requires that Pennex be given first chance to match or better any offer made on the property.

In a letter presented to the board by Smith, Mark Butterfield, MX Holdings president of manufacturing, said: “Pennex has a long history of investing in our Leetonia facility, and that commitment continues today. We see this location as a vital part of our operations, with strong potential for future growth. While we are focused on supporting our current employees, customers and community, we are also always looking ahead at opportunities to expand our presence here in Leetonia.”

In other grant issues, the board agreed to approve a line of credit up to $200,000 for the Columbiana County Park District, which has been awarded two grants.

Smith said the grants, one from the Capital Budget and the other through the Ohio Trail Partnership Program, are aimed at completing improvements to the Greenway Trail.

The grants require large up-front cash commitments, which will be reimbursed through the grants, and the Park District requested the line of credit to bridge that timing between expenditures and reimbursements.

All funds borrowed must be returned to the port authority by June 2027, Smith said.

An agreement was approved with Alliance Technical Group LLC to provide laboratory services for the expanded potable well testing program. The port authority had recently advertised for proposals for this service. The county health department will be collecting the water samples.

Funding for the testing is being provided by the Environmental Protection Agency as part of the Expanded Potable Water Well Sampling Program.

Smith announced that, in partnership with the county Economic Development Department and county commissioners, the port authority is administering a water tap-in program grant for Hanoverton residents.

Applications are available in the mayor’s office or by calling the port authority. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 6.

Lease renewals were also approved for several port authority-owned properties, including Easterseals of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties and Portage County Combined General Health District/WIC, 7876 Lincole; Tri-State Tool & Hoist Inc. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America Inc., Cherry Fork; and Paragon Integrated Services Group LLC, Wellsville Intermodal Facility.