Shown is the new memorial area at the New Waterford park. (Submitted photo)

COLUMBIANA — The small community of New Waterford is making waves in the surrounding community as it embraces forward progress and business expansion.

Village council in October passed an ordinance for the annexation of village-owned land that will serve as an industrial park on the west side of the village.

Columbiana County Commissioners accepted the annexation petition recently.

The village is looking to annex 8.238 acres from Unity Township that is situated on Hatcher Road.

“That’s a big step in the vision we have for an industrial park on the west side of the village,” New Waterford Mayor Shane Patrone said of the annexation petition. “We will be working with the county port authority and economic development on the sale and development of the industrial park. The hopes are that process can take place by the start of next year.”

He added that several companies have already reach out with interest in moving their small industries into the village.

Crestview Local School District Superintendent Dan Hill gave credit to New Waterford for thinking about business expansion and how it can benefit others.

Hill pointed out during the Crestview Board of Education meeting in October that New Waterford was featured in the Youngstown Business Journal as a point of “small towns” trying to maneuver the manufacturing and business platforms along with improvements to infrastructure to support possible housing developments.

“Mr. Gorby and Mr. Patrone have been very supportive of the Crestview Rebel schools through grants with the water line installed to serve the district. They are valuable team members,” he said of Village Administrator Jason Gorby and Mayor Patrone.

In other matters, Patrone said the village is in the process of adding a new section to the village park.

“The hopes are this will be more of a memorial area in the park,” he said.

The idea for a memorial area was discussed last year, Patrone said.

The village received a $10,000 grant from the Columbiana Community Foundation, and an additional $11,000 from two other donations which covered the entire cost of the project.

Patrone said the construction is almost completed and landscaping will be finished with some planting in the spring.

The village is doing all of the construction work.