Budget cuts could hamper Ohio’s efforts

Members of the Ohio Economic Development Association’s board of directors are very concerned that the difficult state budget challenges may create cuts to the Ohio Department of Development that will make it impossible for the state and local communities to complete for job creation and retention projects.

“We cannot cut our way to prosperity,” said Mike Jacoby, vice president of OEDA.  “We need state leaders to make the difficult decision to invest scare resources in areas that will do the greatest good for the future of Ohio.”

Funding for the Ohio Department of Development was cut by more than 20 percent in the Senate version of the budget. This includes the funding authorized by voters to grow the Bio Industry in the state.

“Without the economic development programs and staff of the ODOD, the state will continue to lose companies and employees, the source of all of our tax revenues. The Senate version of the budget will make it impossible for the department to issue any loans at a time when even the best companies and projects are having difficulty obtaining bank financing,” said J.C. Wallace, OEDA executive director.

Recovery Zone Bond Program will help area

U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson this week announced $45,477,000 in bond authority will be immediately available for local governments in Ohio’s Sixth Congressional District under the Recovery Zone Bonds Program.

The bonds, created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, are targeted to areas particularly affected by significant job loss and will help state and local governments obtain capital for much needed economic development projects.

“These bonds will help in so many ways,” Wilson said. “This bond program will make it easier for counties and private businesses to borrow money at a better rate. The counties and businesses that make up my district can then use that money to improve infrastructure, increase job training and help families struggling with this tough economy.”

All 12 of the counties in Wilson’s district have been allocated Recovery Zone Bonds. Jefferson County has been allocated $488,000 in Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds and $732,000 through Recovery Zone Facility Bonds.

Corridors program returning to area July 16

The Pittsburgh Business Times’ Corridors of Opportunity program will be returning to the area in July.

The theme for the 2009 event is “3-2-1, Three Counties, Two States, One Goal!”  Progress Alliance and the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle will team up to host the event, scheduled for July 16 in Weirton’s Serbian Cultural Center. The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Confirmed panel members include John Brown, executive director of the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission; Pat Ford, executive director of the Business Development Corporation for the Northern Panhandle; and Ed Looman, executive director for Progress Alliance.

Invitations also have been extended to West Virginia Sen. Ed Bowman and Ohio Sen. Jason Wilson.  Local event sponsors include the BDC, New Horizons, Environmental Logistics Services and EM-Media.

To make reservations, visit www.pittsburghbusinesstimes.com  and click on “Corridors 3-2-1_ under events. For more information, contact Richard Cerilli, (412) 208-3815.

Project manager joins Progress Alliance staff

Joanna Styczenski began her duties Monday as Progress Alliance’s first project manager.

Styczenski, a native of Mississippi, received her degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from the Franciscan University of Steubenville in early May.

“We are extremely happy to have Joanna on our staff,” said Ed Looman, executive director of Progress Alliance. “Initially, she will be tackling the challenge of upgrading our inventory of available land and buildings in this county.  Improvements in this area will help us immensely when it comes to responding to leads from the Ohio Department of Development.”

She can be reached at (740) 283-2476 or via e-mail at jstyczenski@progressalliance.com

“I certainly want to thank the Community Improvement Corporation board for providing the funds necessary to create this position,” Looman said. “Once again, the board has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to building a better Jefferson County.”

Stimulus investments spurring more jobs

With the awarding of more than $36.9 million in construction contracts on Monday, the Ohio Department of Transportation is spurring the construction and retention of hundreds of construction-related jobs by investing federal stimulus funds into 29 roadway and bridge projects across the state.

Combined with the contracts awarded so far using funds from the American Recovery and Investment Act, ODOT has awarded more than $83.9 million in contracts for work on 52 projects—a combination of interstate, local roadway and bridge modernization projects.

As contracts are awarded, construction companies begin to mobilize workers for these jobs. Jobs also are being created and retained by firms that provide materials and equipment used in highway construction and those jobs supported by consumer expenditures resulting from wages to construction oriented and supporting industries employment.

Bed and breakfast now open on Fourth Street

Scott Dressel this week announced the opening of the Bayberry House Bed and Breakfast, located at 813 N. Fourth St. in Historic Downtown Steubenville. The bed and breakfast, he noted, already is booked for the rest of the week.

Bayberry’s second guest house will be open at 741 N. Fourth St. in a few months. Dressel added the “full-fledged” Inn at 801 N. Fourth St. will open in a few years. He said the facility still needs some work before opening to the public.

More information is available by visiting www.bayberryproperties.com.bayberryguesthouse.htm.

Concert series continues downtown

The 2009 Summer Concert Series continues at 6:30 p.m. tonight with the Dino Fest Kickoff performance.

Deana Martin will be featured along with Peter Teris, Michele Anastasio, Russ Loniello as Dean, Save Salera as Frank Sinatra, and Eric Richardson and Matt Macis as Dean and Jerry.

On June 25, The Fabulous Bender Boys will appear along with Katie Orlofsky.

The concerts are held in the Sandra and Louis Berkman Amphitheater on South Third Street.

Funding for the 2009 concerts is from a grant from the Ohio River Border Initiative along with major contributions from Trinity Health System and the Steubenville Rotary Club as well as donations from various businesses and organizations in the area.