Lake to River Economic Development Interim CEO Alexa Sweeney Blackann speaks to officials from local villages, cities and Columbiana County during a recent meet and greet hosted by the Columbiana County Port Authority. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)

LISBON — Officials from local villages, cities and Columbiana County government learned how Lake to River Economic Development can help local communities during a recent meet and greet.

“We’re excited to introduce our new Lake to River team,” Columbiana County Port Authority CEO/Executive Director Penny Traina said during the event hosted by CCPA at its Lisbon headquarters.

Back in late April, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced the formation of Lake to River Economic Development, a new JobsOhio network region to cover Columbiana, Mahoning, Trumbull and Ashtabula counties. The four-county area was previously included in Team NEO, which is another JobsOhio network partner for northeast Ohio which includes Cleveland.

A press release issued when the announcement was made noted that “the four-county region, anchored by Youngstown, was the only major-metro media market in the state without its own JobsOhio region. The addition of the Lake to River region completes the JobsOhio network.”

Lake to River means just that — the network stretches from Lake Erie in the north down to the Ohio River in the south. The press release said Lake to River is “dedicated to transforming Eastern Ohio’s economic landscape by fostering growth, innovation, and community development.”

Lake to River Economic Development Interim CEO Alexa Sweeney Blackann spoke briefly about the formation of JobsOhio as an economic development engine for the state of Ohio which is not funded by government but by private funds. She said that enables JobsOhio to make longterm commitments to companies. She also said the Lake to River region came about because business and community leaders spoke to the governor about these areas going on their own, about the counties having relationships with Pennsylvania and West Virginia and being considered part of Appalachia and being in a different media market than Cleveland.

“This is a huge opportunity for our four counties,” Blackann said.

Besides Blackann, Lake to River staff members introduced included: Vice President of Engagement and Investor Relations Michael McGiffin; Vice President Economic Development Sarah Boyarko; Director of Project Management David Wilaj; Director of Site Strategies Jason Neal; and Director of Talent Engagement Matt Falter. Also part of the team, but not present, was Director of Research Michelle Phillips.

McGiffin spoke and said “every time I’m in this room there’s tremendous collaborative effort,” commenting how the communities and officials all work together in the county. “I don’t see that everywhere else.”

He said he has two jobs: customer service to make sure communities are getting what they need and keeping an eye on funding. He said it’s important to have investment from Columbus, but even more important to have local stake.

Boyarko also spoke and said she “oversees supporting local expansion projects and the attraction of new investment to the region as well as our active business retention program.”

All the work the members of Lake to River do in Columbiana County is in partnership with Traina and her CCPA team, she explained.

“We’re really excited about this next step in the partnership,” Boyarko said.

She asked that if anyone is aware of a project in their community or if a company is growing, reach out to Traina and her team, who will then reach out to Lake to River.

“Let’s see how we can support your needs,” she said.

The meet and greet started with introductions of everyone present and remarks by county Commissioner Roy Paparodis and state Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel, R-Columbiana. Paparodis said the commissioners are very supportive of the cause and for the area to have a voice. Blasdel said it’s all about collaboration and for her to listen and provide tools in their toolbox. She also outlined some pending legislation related to the Ohio River which she said will open up opportunities for communities along the river.

Announced was an opportunity for attendees to learn more about JobsOhio’s Vibrant Communities and Small Business Grant programs during a session from 10 a.m. to noon Friday at the Timberlanes Complex in Salem. To RSVP, contact Wilaj at david@laketoriverohio.org or call 234-255-0954.

To learn more about Lake to River, visit www.laketoriverohio.org.

mgreier@mojonews.com