(EDITOR'S NOTE: The Community Investment Plan was prepared by the Jefferson County Advisory Group, an appointed 15-member panel of public and private agencies and local businesses, with support from the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs at Ohio University. The plan received support from numerous organizations throughout the county during the summer of 2008. This is the first of three stories outlining progress made since 2008 on various aspects of the plan.)

The Jefferson County Community Investment Plan is a fairly lengthy document with a very simple purpose: help all communities in the county build on their rich assets, capitalize upon opportunities and address current and projected needs.

"When you get right down to it, our plan basically draws a road map for Jefferson County," said Gary Folden, who served as interim director of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce when the plan was drafted. "It sets a countywide vision and a framework to effect change and growth."

The plan establishes major goal areas, including quality of community and family life; improvement and expansion of infrastructure; stimulation of the work force; and economic growth.

In the fall of 2008, five professionals charged with turning the plan into a reality began meeting and attacking various aspects of the plan. The original group (now known as the Community Investment Plan Implementation Team) has grown in size to include:

John Brown of the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission; Domenick Mucci of the Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission; Beth Wood of the Steubenville Convention and Visitors Bureau; Irene Moore of the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District; Andrea Bell of Jefferson Community College; Tracee Joltes of JCC; Jason Mayberry of The Steubenville Herald Star; Sue Hershey of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce; Sevy Petras of Lamplight Communities; Ed Looman of Progress Alliance; Jefferson County Commissioner Tom Gentile; and Folden, now with the Jefferson County Air Park.

The first major goal area in the plan deals with the need to enhance the quality of community and family life. Progress made in this area during the last year covers a wide variety of subjects. Actions taken include:

The formation of the county's Connect Ohio Advisory Team, designed to develop a plan for improving Internet accessibility countywide.

The BHJ effort to implement a year-long marketing campaign for Ride-Share, designed to provide increased commuter access to the Pittsburgh employment market. This campaign has been funded by Federal Highway Administration dollars. On a daily basis, seven Ride-Share vans leave the region and an eighth van is under consideration.

BHJ, in cooperation with the Steel Valley Transit Authority, local service providers and agencies at the federal, state and local levels, has created a regional area management program to initiate shared vehicle services and coordinate medical pick-up needs. This effort is a result of the plan encouraging the need to expand rural transit locations.

The city of Steubenville's investment to improve its park systems, namely Belleview and Jim Wood, addressing the need for improved recreational activities.

Steubenville creating work place incentives designed to promote healthier lifestyles.

The commitment by Jefferson County and the city of Steubenville to the formation and funding of the Jefferson County Task Force, addressing the need to establish drug intervention programs.

The city's commitment to promoting its "Zero Tolerance City" campaign.

The Be Jefferson County Proud marketing campaign, designed and funded by Progress Alliance. This campaign aims to build pride among county residents, favorable public relations and a positive perception of the county.

The Jefferson County Leadership class creating and launching The Pride of the Valley site designed to stress the positives of the county for area teens.

The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and Progress Alliance teaming up to bring the FastTrac business training program to the county. FastTrac fits the long-term plan strategy of creating an atmosphere of support for entrepreneurship.

Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District, in cooperation with the Jefferson County commissioners, obtaining a grant through the Jefferson-Belmont Solid Waste District to clean up a dump site off of Powells Lane that has been accumulating debris for many years.

The work being done by various members of the CIP Implementation Team to create bike/walking/running trails linking communities.

"The investment plan basically drives the work we all are doing to create a better Jefferson County," said Looman. "We want the public to know that this plan is a living, breathing document. It is not sitting on a shelf somewhere gathering dust. We all refer to it on a daily basis as we go about our business of providing opportunities for county residents."

(Looman is executive director of the Progress Alliance public-private economic development group in Jefferson County. For information, call him at (740) 283-2476.)