STEUBENVILLE - The Community Improvement Corp. heard an update from Progress Alliance Executive Director Ed Looman, who marked his first anniversary on the job at Tuesday's meeting, held at the Herald-Star.

Looman updated the group on his progress on five goals he had set for his first year:

Retention, expansion and information visits to at least 100 county businesses. Looman said he achieved about 54 percent of the goal, but learned much during visits to businesses such as Wildfire Motors, Nelson Woodcrafts and QPI Tools.

"The bottom line is this: These visits are working for us," Looman said. He noted stronger relationships with regional organizations such as the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association, the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance and the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, as well as with Ohio state-level officials.

Increase organizational revenue. Looman reported a number of new memberships, including the city of Toronto, Wildfire Motors, Village Sleep Center, Huntington Bank, Minor Insurance, DLC Management/Fort Steuben Mall and Lamplight Communities. He said the number of paying CIC trustees stands at 37.

Marketing plan. The continuation of the "Burb of the Burgh" campaign by Em-Media was assisted by receiving money from through the Jefferson County Department of Job and Family Services, though Looman said the funds could fall victim to state budget problems for 2010. Progress Alliance also is evaluating its use of the CoStar Property Service to target Pittsburgh businesses with leases that are to expire soon.

Looman also noted the development of the internal marketing plan, "Be Jefferson County Proud," focusing on getting residents to note the positive reasons for living and working in Jefferson County.

Looman also reported on the monthly meetings of the Jefferson County Investment Plan Implementation Team, which includes Progress Alliance, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, the Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission, the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Community Improvement Corp., Jefferson Community College, the Herald-Star, Jefferson County commissioners and members of the chamber board of directors.

Real estate inventory. To meet ongoing referrals from the Ohio Department of Development, Progress Alliance is putting together an accurate database of available properties for industrial and commercial development. Looman said more work needs to be done.

Education and work force development. Looman said Progress Alliance has strengthened its partnerships with the Franciscan University of Steubenville and Jefferson Community College. Progress Alliance used representatives of the university's Students in Free Enterprise to help plan the first Best of Jefferson County dinner in March. Joanne Styczenski, one of the SIFE students, recently was named Progress Alliance's first project manager.

Looman said goals for the coming year include: Continuing retention, expansion and information visits; improving real estate inventory; increasing the CIC trustees to 50 paid members; developing a marketing plan for remaining land at the Jefferson County Industrial Park; continued involvement in plans to improve Internet service throughout the county; being more active in efforts to attract business and industry from the Pittsburgh market; and organizing a Journey Through Jefferson County event.

Looman sees the final point as a chance for Jefferson County residents to learn what businesses and industries make and sell in Jefferson County.

"I think people will be amazed at what is made here," he said.

(Giannamore can be contacted at pgiannamore@heraldstaronline.com.)