EAST PALESTINE — In an act of generosity to their hometown, Attorney Shirley J. Smith and her daughter Paige Smith have donated two historic downtown properties to the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation (EPCIC), ensuring their preservation and revitalization for future generations.

The buildings, located at 90-94 N. Market St., once housed Shirley’s law office and a Chinese restaurant. After transferring ownership to her daughter Paige, Shirley supported Paige’s decision to give back to the community that they say shaped their lives.

The donation comes at a critical time for East Palestine, which has been working to recover economically from the 2023 train derailment and the stigma attached to the chemical release that gained national coverage.

Paige, a 2025 graduate of Hathaway Brown School and current student at the University of Notre Dame, has a long history of academic excellence and community involvement.

Inspired by Notre Dame’s motto, “What would you fight for?” Paige chose to fight for her hometown, which she affectionately calls “the Big City.” Her memories of growing up in East Palestine, from visiting her mom’s law office to enjoying local traditions like the Rotary Easter Egg Hunt, fueled her decision to make this contribution.

With guidance from Village Manager Antonio Diaz-Guy, the EPCIC will oversee renovations to bring the properties up to code and return them to productive use. While progress may take time due to permits, funding, and construction, the donation marks a significant step toward revitalizing East Palestine’s downtown area.

In a press release, the village said the act of kindness reflects the Smith family’s deep commitment to their community and that Paige’s decision to donate the properties, made possible by her mother’s support, ensures these cornerstones of East Palestine’s history will continue to serve the village for years to come.

“Progress on older buildings can sometimes move slowly — permits, funding, and construction all take time — but doing it right is always worth the wait,” the village said. “Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Shirley J. Smith and her daughter Paige, two pieces of East Palestine’s past now have a bright and promising future.”