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Commissioners talk economic growth

STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County commissioners on Thursday met with regional economic development officials and discussed highway improvements, as well as job retention and growth.

Mike Jacoby, president of the Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth, told the commissioners he wanted to hear from community leaders in his 25-county district about economic development opportunities, challenges and goals and what the state can do to help.

Commissioner David Maple said Ohio is in competition with West Virginia and Pennsylvania for business growth. He said he is concerned about the large area APEG covers.

Jacoby said APEG will be focusing on job retention and growth and the redevelopment of industrial brownfield areas. He said a huge challenge for the area is having sites ready for development.

Commissioner Thomas Graham said there are economic development projects being discussed, but they can’t be made public at this time. He noted APEG is working with the county port authority on the projects.

Commissioner Tom Gentile said Jefferson County and Steubenville sit at the center of the shale gas and oil development in the region, with cracker plants planned north and south of the area.

He told Jacoby to urge the Ohio Department of Transportation to consider the Pittsburgh-to-Columbus highway corridor and complete the link with four-lane highways.

Gentile said a study completed six to seven years ago showed there was no need for the highway system to be completed. He said the development of the oil and gas industry has changed the need for the highway. He said highway infrastructure is needed now more than ever.

Ed Looman, APEG project manager, said more than 8,000 jobs have been created in the counties along the route of the corridor, along with more than $5 billion in investments with more to come.

“We have a good basis for taking the argument back to the state highway department,” Looman said.

Commissioners received the county health department’s annual report.

Annette Stewart, health department administrator, said there were 41 accidental deaths last year, with 33 being drug overdoses. She said the department is providing Narcan to emergency responders and making training available.

She said the health department is expanding its services to outlying areas.

Graham said he was pleased to see the health department being so proactive in the county.

Commissioners also approved the county water and sewer district’s application for a $2.5 million state loan for the Amsterdam sewer project.

The county has received nearly 70 percent of the estimated $10 million cost in the form of grants.

Commissioners signed paperwork associated with a $20,324 grant from the federal justice department grant for operations at the county drug task force, and they agreed to help the Jefferson County Veterans Association with the installation of poles around its veterans memorial at Friendship Park.

Barry Bardone of the veterans association said the veterans memorial started with the goal of having 90 bricks with the names of veterans, but the project has increased to 900 bricks.

Graham told Bardone to provide an estimate of the 10 ballisters to the commissioners.

Commissioners received the liability insurance bill for the year from the County Risk Sharing Authority. The bill totals $305,649, which is $3,000 less than last year, said Debbie Hukill, the county’s CORSA agent.

She said Jefferson County was one of the five original counties forming CORSA about 30 years ago.

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