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Thoughts offered by Mike Petrella can serve as a reminder about the importance your outlook can have.
"Positivity spreads, prosperity spreads," the local businessman and mayor of Wintersville said. "Be positive and positive things will follow."
Petrella's remarks came during Tuesday's State of Jefferson County Address, and they helped to sum up the tone of the forum held in the Steubenville High School auditorium. The session offered the chance to talk about the many positive things happening across the region.
For reasons that are not always easy to understand, though, that's not always an easy sell, especially to those who live in the area.
"This year, we have seen a tremendous amount of growth, not just in the chamber, but across the county," said Kate Sedgmer, president of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. "Yet, every day I answer questions regarding businesses that are seemingly opening everywhere else but in our county. To that, I encourage you to open the paper or turn on the news -- there are businesses that are opening here every day.
"We have to be our own champions, our own cheerleaders and talk about the wonderful things that are happening in our area, because there are," she continued.
An example would be in Wintersville. According to Petrella, the village saw 13 new businesses open in 2022 and 12 new businesses open last year. He added that existing businesses in the village continue to expand -- Halo Salon, for example, has grown by remodeling more than 7,000 square feet at its new location in the Welday Professional Building. And, he added, Pastaio Cucina Rustica Italiana has continued to grow since it opened on Main Street in 2021.
Attracting customers from all parts of the Tri-State Area and beyond, the restaurant now features a patio dining option, and its owners are working on opening an area for special events.
"Some are big, some are small -- we welcome all new businesses of any size," Petrella added.
"That's 25 new businesses in two years, and we're not done yet," he continued. "Many people don't see the business growth because it's not a big box store or a big name, but that's OK. In Wintersville, we pride ourselves as being a home to small businesses, which I still believe are the backbone of the community and this country."
His spirit of optimism was shared by Sedgmer, who said chamber membership has grown to more than 530.
"Historically, the chamber's growth has been a direct reflection of the county's business climate," she said of the organization that has served the area since 1908. "We do see new businesses. We are committed to supporting these businesses in any way that we can, but we also need public support to do just that."
That support includes providing opportunities like career fairs for high school students that have attracted more than 600 students. The goal is to show young people that they can find good careers and good-paying jobs in the county. And that's something a growing number of young people are experiencing for themselves, as seen in the monthly gathering of the Jefferson County Young Professionals.
"The attendance at these meetings cannot be overlooked," Sedgmer said. "On average, there are between 40 and 50 young people who are getting together to talk about their businesses and talk about how they can better connect with the community. This is an important group -- it speaks to the future of the community and the leaders we will have."
While not as visibly obvious as the new opening of a new business, there's a lot going on around the county, as Commissioners Tony Morelli and Dave Maple pointed out. That ranges from the efforts that will ensure a Social Security office will serve the area from the Tower building, to building projects around the county to the work of other elected officials like Clerk of Courts Andrew Plesich and Recorder Scott Renforth, whose efforts have helped to modernize those offices.
Robert Naylor, director of the Jefferson County Port Authority, spoke about the spec building that is planned for the Jefferson County Industrial Park, which he pointed to as an example of authentic collaboration.
The port authority also is involved in expansion work planned at the JSW Steel facility in Mingo Junction and continued brownfield remediation throughout the region.
State Rep. Ron Ferguson, R-Wintersville, offered an update on the Seven Ranges Entertainment Complex his family has opened in the Fort Steuben Mall.
"If you haven't seen it, you have to get out there," Morelli said of the facility that includes bowling alleys, other games, activities such as ax throwing and options for food. "It's amazing -- people say there's nothing here, well there's a fantastic addition."
Steubenville Mayor Jerry Barilla pointed to the events that help to generate tourism dollars, including the Nutcracker Village, Christmas at the Fort, the Dean Martin Festival, the annual Greek Festival presented by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, the weekly concerts at the Berkman Amphitheater, the annual Christmas parade and the Rink at Franciscan Square, which is nearing the end of its first season of ice-skating fun.
That rink, according to Joe Wallace, executive director of community relations at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, represents a $1 million investment in the community. The school, he added, is in the middle of an expansion project which includes the $60 million Christ the Teacher Building on campus and $13 million in renovations to Christ the King Chapel.
Shana Wydra, director of STEM education for Steubenville City Schools, offered details about the STEM addition to the high school, which is nearing completion, and the educational opportunities that will be available to students, and Barry Bardone, adjutant for the Jefferson County Veterans Association, talked about the improvements being made to the veterans complex at Friendship Park and added that the late Fred McGee is close to receiving Medal of Honor status.
While optimism and positive news dominated the nearly 90 minutes of discussion, there are things happening around us that could be reasons for concern. One was the announcement that came Feb. 22 that Cleveland-Cliffs plans to idle indefinitely its tin operation in Weirton as a result of the recent decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission that denied the company's petition for trade duties. It's a move that likely will lead to the loss of 900 jobs.
"That news made me sick to my stomach," said county Commissioner Eric Timmons, who organized the event and served as moderator. "I personally know several workers and their families who will be affected by the closing."
No one involved in the Tuesday forum, though, knew about the news that came Wednesday afternoon, when it was learned that the board of trustees of Eastern Gateway Community College said it will pause registration and enrollment beyond the spring semester. While it's too early to know exactly what that means, it's obvious the ability of the school to provide education options beyond May is very much in doubt.
However those situations play out, our area has shown a resilience that has served us well -- and one we can count on in the future.
"If you look around at the cornerstone businesses that make up Jefferson County, they have been here for decades, thanks to the families who have put their own blood, sweat and tears into these businesses," Sedgmer said. "They could not have done this without the support of the people in our area. They couldn't depend on a franchise or a big chain -- they depended on us to support their businesses every day.
"Please, be the cheerleader of Jefferson County. Support the businesses that are here and are opening," she added. "We are the only reason that people are coming -- the spirit of our community is what has held us together for decades. We are fortunate to have a big heart in our county."
(Gallabrese, a resident of Steubenville, is executive editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times.)