The Columbiana County Port Authority and the Columbiana County Economic Development Department recently held an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony to showcase their new headquarters at 7860 Lincole Place in Lisbon. The building, which the Port Authority purchased in November, also houses the Columbiana County Land Bank and GIS departments. The Port Authority’s initial base of operation was a 50-acre site on the Ohio River in East Liverpool. In May 2018, the East Liverpool building that housed the Port’s headquarters was sold and the Port Authority relocated to its Industry Street building in Leetonia. Within a short time, the Port Authority sold the Leetonia building and land at the World Trade Park, which resulted in the creation of 267 jobs with a $45 million investment into the county. At the same time, the Port Authority joined forces with the County Economic Development Department to create a one-stop shop for economic development in the county.
Congressman Bill Johnson and State Rep. Tim Ginter presented proclamations at the event as did Monica Blasel, Gov. DeWine’s Northeast Regional Liaison. Commissioner Tim Weigle spoke on behalf of the board of county commissioners.
Pictured above, from left: Columbiana County Commissioner Tim Weigle, Commissioner Jim Hopple, State Rep. Tim Ginter, Penny Traina, CEO of the Port Authority; U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, Tad Herold, Director of Columbiana County Economic Development Department; Nick Amato, Port board, Judge Melissa Byers-Emmerling, Charlie Presley, Port board. Back row, from left: Chaz Chavara, GIS, Bobby Ritchey, Land Bank; Brittany Smith and Glenda Schafer, Port staff; Jake Miller, GIS; Keith Chamberlin, Port board; and Tim Brookes, Port attorney.