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STEUBENVILLE -- The Jefferson County Port Authority's board of directors were given an overview of three parcels of land in the Jefferson County Industrial Park to help the board members become more familiar with the sites, which the executive director said are promising for development.
Robert Naylor, executive director of the port authority, showed images from a 2020 study of the industrial park by that displayed the sizes and shapes of three parcels of land owned by the county commissioners and managed by the port authority.
Naylor said, "These three properties are presently the best options for development."
One parcel of land, Naylor said, is about 13 acres out of a total 26 acres that was developed with help from an Abandoned Mine Land Pilot Program grant. The remaining 13 acres that are not developed possess environmental blocks that prevent them from being cost-effective to develop currently, Naylor said.
The 13-acre site has been the topic of conversation at board meetings as the port authority seeks to have a speculative building erected there, built either by a private company or with the hope of attracting a business into the speculative building.
Naylor recommended that the board visit the 13-acre site at some point and become acquainted with it, as he said it is the best option of the three sites. Also, Naylor said the port authority plans to move forward with the Ohio Site Inventory Program, which provides grants and loans to support speculative building development, to look at options for speculative buildings.
Commissioner Dave Maple, who attended the board meeting, said the commissioners would like to see the 26-acre site, including the undeveloped 13 acres, be a priority for the port authority. Maple encouraged the port authority to move forward with the sites regardless of the results of the OSIP grant application, as the commissioners may want to invest in the site even without additional grant funds.
"We might want to say, 'How do we do this with our own money to foster economic development?'" Maple said.
In his director's report, Naylor gave an update on a bond issuance of up to $145 million for JSW Steel USA Ohio Inc. to install a vacuum tank de-gasser and improve a continuous slab casting machine. The series was approved by Jefferson County commissioners on Aug. 4, during which time commissioner Maple said, "the benefit really is economic growth but no risk to Jefferson County taxpayers."
In his update, Naylor said he continues to participate in bond calls for the issuance, which he believed was going to close in early September. However, Naylor said, JSW is still working on its lender consents, so the date will be later in September or October.
Later, Naylor was approved by the board to attend the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Council of Governments Conference on Freight, which will be held in Cincinnati from Sept. 5-7.
Naylor said the Ohio River offers commercial, travel and tourism opportunities. Additionally, if the port authority would like to become involved in maritime transportation, Naylor said, it would require a change in legislation to provide the port authority with an agreement or easement into developing in that area. The port authority has already begun legislative initiatives with other counties, Naylor added.
Also, Naylor said everything has been turned in for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Community Wide Brownfields Community-wide Assessment Grant, and the port authority is preparing to issue a request for proposal and a request for qualifications from environmental consulting firms to assist the port authority and do its reporting on the EPA's Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System database.
Board member Mike Turrentine informed the board that his term on the board would extend through August before expiring. Turrentine, who was appointed by the city of Steubenville, serves on the board's finance committee.
"It's been a privilege," Turrentine said, adding that he expects to see the port authority do "big things" in the near future.
Turrentine said Steubenville Mayor Jerry Barilla has some individuals in mind to name in is place, although no decision has been made yet. Board Chair Bill Lucas asked for members of the board to consider volunteering to fill Turrentine's place on the finance committee.
Pat Cramblett, Mingo Junction Village Council member, attended the meeting and expressed appreciation for the port authority's work on the JSW bond issuance. She said she hopes the improvements at JSW's project in Mingo Junction will bring additional income to the village.
Board members John Mascio and Russell Kuntz were absent from the meeting.