LISBON — The contract for a building rehabilitation project at the former Lion and Lamb bookstore on South Broadway Avenue in Salem was awarded Wednesday to a Beloit firm.

The Columbiana County commissioners awarded the job to The Dennison Management Group, who was the lone bidder for $389,721.

The private building rehabilitation project is partially funded by a $250,000 grant from the Target of Opportunity Program through the Ohio Department of Development and the Community Development Block Grant program, with the Columbiana County Port Authority administering the grant and overseeing the project located at 145-165 S. Broadway Ave., Salem.

The building is owned by Teldar Real Estate LLC, which must pay at least 50 percent of the cost of the overall rehabilitation project.

Haeden Panezott, of CCPA, said plans include replacement of the roof and code upgrades for electrical and plumbing and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility upgrades.

During the meeting, Commissioner Roy Paparodis reported that the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association met recently in Columbiana County and talked about funding opportunities for local projects. He said it was nice to see the mayors, port authority officials and other locals in attendance, along with representatives from other counties. Commissioner Tim Ginter also attended the meeting, which was held in East Liverpool.

In other business, commissioners reappointed Hery Salamanca Ramirez to a new four-year term on the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board after completion of the unexpired term he was appointed to serve. Ginter commented that he does very good work in the county as a pastor. Sarah Sanor was also appointed to fill a four-year term on the CCMHRS Board. According to CCMHRS Board Executive Director Lori Colian, that brings the board membership to 11 with still one seat open.

Commissioners granted John Cope permission to hunt on the county’s County Home Road, Lisbon property.

In matters related to the county Department of Job and Family Services, commissioners followed the recommendation of Director Rachel Ketterman. Vendor contracts approved included: Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, school liaison service, Aug. 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026, with a contract ceiling of $132,954; Protect n Shred, document shredding services, Oct. 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2026, with a contract ceiling of $2,500; Community Action Agency of Columbiana County, Ohio Works First client and applicant commute services, Oct. 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2026, with a contract ceiling of $15,000; and county Prosecutor’s Office, investigator services, Oct. 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2026, with a contract ceiling of $40,000.

Amendments approved for contracts through the senior services levy included decreasing the spending ceiling for legal public guardian attorney Hannah Crews from $10,000 to $5,000 and increasing the spending ceiling for public guardian Margaret Ketchum from $1,500 to $3,000.

A Family Children First Council contract was approved with the county Educational Service Center for FCFC service coordination within the Opportunity School and Bridging Possibilities classrooms, from Aug. 20, 2025 to June 30, 2026 with a contract ceiling of $9,500.

The next meeting of county commissioners will be 9 a.m. Aug. 27 in the downtown courthouse.