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COLUMBIANA -- Cities throughout the county are coming together to help each other grow, and that collaboration has been a positive one, according to Columbiana Mayor Rick Noel.
Noel said during the city council meeting earlier this month that the city's partnership with Salem on a joint building department has proved beneficial, and that the city was also pleased to offer feedback to the city of East Liverpool recently regarding its charter form of government.
City officials began attending Mayor's meetings last year that were organized by state Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel.
"We have always been very interested in seeing all of our communities in Columbiana County grow and prosper and make improvements. I think this is a great place to live. Whether you choose Columbiana, Leetonia, or Salem ... We are all good communities, we have a lot of things we can offer people," Noel said.
As for the joint building department, he said that he believes it has been a "tremendously progressive and good thing to happen for our two communities."
The joint building department is operated by the Sustainable Opportunity Development Center in Salem and contracts services to third-party agency Elevate Building Solutions, covering only commercial building projects.
The joint venture was established to provide a faster building permit process compared to the state.
"We hope to continue to do development projects with the other communities here," Noel said.
As for East Liverpool, Noel credited the city for its push to save the historic Thompson Building located downtown.
East Liverpool recently received $414,105 in historical tax credits to help save the building and officials are seeking additional funding for the remainder.
Noel said that former East Liverpool Mayor Greg Bricker put a lot of effort into the project before leaving office due to not seeking re-election.
"I think it's a fantastic example of using local and state and city money and resources and people to save this historic building. I think we should really recognize the communities we have in Columbiana County. I think we should recognize the work they did in East Liverpool and we wish them the best," Noel said.
According to prior reports, plans for the building include retail, businesses and apartments once renovations are complete.