Entrepreneurs laud program

STEUBENVILLE -- City leaders voiced their approval Tuesday of the work done so far by Paramount Pursuits, the company tasked with helping income-eligible residents learn how to start and grow their own businesses.

"They're doing a fantastic job," 6th Ward Councilman Bob Villamagna said. "It's really taken off."

Paramount Co-founder and President Trish Digliodi said they currently have 13 participants, with five applications pending. Participants must be income-eligible, and they must live and work in Steubenville.

Digliodi said they've held 11 different webinars covering an assortment of topics, along with cohort meetings and mentoring. She said one participant didn't know her business was eligible for a no-interest loan under the paycheck protection program. "We helped her apply," Digliodi said. "She got an $11,000 loan she didn't expect."

Digliodi said their program assistant, Steubenville native Helena Jones, "has done an amazing job connecting in the community, giving us insights on where we need to put our emphasis in marketing."

"Steubenville has been living on helplessness for a very long time now," Jones told council. "I've seen it in the community…I'm back here because of it. I believe in everything Paramount has to offer or I would not work for them."

Jones said their goal is to "help (businesses) grow and thrive in Steubenville," pointing out small businesses are the backbone of the community.

"But we have so many other people not grabbing hold of that dream because they were born in an impoverished area, born into welfare," she said. "(This program) shows them they have an opportunity. I'm grateful to be part of that, to be part of change. I can't wait to see the new Steubenville that we create."

Tonika Crawford said the program has been invaluable to her and her husband, who own and operate a construction company and redevelop residential properties. She said she wouldn't have been able to balance business with family had it not been for the mentoring she received through Paramount's THRIVE in Steubenville program, adding it's also given her an understanding of things like asset protection and liability.

"Just hearing what they said, it was worth it," Villamagna said, referencing the participation rates. "That's fantastic. Keep up the good work. Council funded the program with CDBG Cares Act funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Digliodi told 1st Ward Councilwoman Asantewa Anyabwile the program participants are a mix of new and existing businesses. She told Anyabwile the initial contract period is one year, "(but) we're funded by you guys, you guys are in control of that."

"I'm glad there is progress in the program," Anyabwile replied.

In other business, Paul said council will be asked at the June 22 meeting to sign off on contracts for the city's police, fire and AFSCME unions.

City Manager Jim Mavromatis said workers in all three groups will realize about a 3 percent yearly pay raise.

"Council looked at our employees who gave up a lot during the pandemic," he said. "Our unions gave up raises, they went almost a year without it. Because of the pandemic, they stayed at work and we didn't have to furlough anybody and services were (maintained). We had police, fire and AFSCME employees who contracted covid but still maintained services. Council was appreciative, we had the money and that's why we were able to do raises."

Mavromatis said the finance committee will be meeting with non-union employees to finalize their contract.

Paul also sunshined legislation repealing the existing Table of Organization and enacting a new one for all employees and declaring an emergency.

Villamagna also asked Mavromatis to find out why structural concerns at a building on Adams Street between Court Alley and S. 4th Street have not been addressed.

"There's a machine pushed up against the building, holding the building from collapsing," he said. "It's been like that for 14 months. They've been issued a citation and nothing's happened yet. It's a dangerous situation -- if that building collapses, bricks will go flying and (it could) kill someone."

Villamagna said council is continually criticizing dilapidated housing and weed violations, "but there's a building ... we have the Greek Fest, Dean Martin Fest, the concerts and Juneteenth ... and to have a building there with a machine pushed about against it so it doesn't collapse" doesn't make sense.'

4th Ward Councilman Scott Dressel also advised council he's bringing in emergency legislation to fund the Lincoln Boulevard.

The failing line runs through the middle of Lincoln Boulevard and connects with the line on Lincoln Avenue. Issues with the line developed about a year ago when a sinkhole opened up on the sloped grassy area between Lincoln Avenue and Lincoln Boulevard, officials said.

Legislation also will be introduced authorizing Mavromatis to seek bids for the 2022 city street resurfacing hot mix program, and to apply for Ohio Public Works funds to pay for the program as well as traffic signal upgrades.

Mavromatis told council the city has received $7,290,150 in COVID-relief funds, but they're still waiting on the regulations spelling out how they use the money.

"When we get closer to (that) … give (us) a heads up, the economic development and finance committees," Villamagna said. "I'd like to call a special meeting so we can sit down and take as long as necessary to discuss this."

"As soon as we get the final determination on how we can spend it, I think that's a wise move," Mavromatis said.