Ohio ranks 4^th in nation for business climate

Ohio rose to fourth in Site Selection magazine’s annual state business climate rankings this year, up from seventh in 2008, and leads the Midwest in rankings from new plant consideration data and a survey of site selectors. Ohio’s jump in the ranking reflects the state’s efforts to improve its business environment and create jobs for Ohioans.

“The global recession hit Ohio hard,” said Gov. Ted Strickland. “However, we refuse to let our challenges define us. We are holding the line of taxes and cutting red tape so that our businesses can be competitive and create jobs.”

Site Selection’s annual business climate rankings are determined by performance in Conway’s Data New Plant Database, which tracks new and expanded business facility activity, and by a national survey of corporate selectors.  Ohio’s performance in the executive survey helped the state jump from 17^th in 2007 to eighth in 2008.

Economic Outlook Forum set for Tuesday

All systems are go for the second annual Regional Economic Outlook Forum, scheduled for Tuesday in the IBEW Local 246 hall, 626 N. 4^th St. in downtown Steubenville.  The event begins at noon.

The event is designed to discuss the 2010 economic outlook for Hancock, Brooke and Jefferson counties. Eric Minor of WTOV-9 News will serve as moderator for the discussion.  No reservations are required but a $5 admission fee will be collected at the door.

Sponsors of the event include the Downtown Business and Civic Association of Weirton, the Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle, Valley Ventures, Progress Alliance, the IBEW, the Steubenville Herald Star and the Weirton Daily Times.

Panelists include Father Richard Davis, TOR, of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Brian James, plant manager for Arcelor-Mittal in Weirton, Dan Guida of the Weirton association, Pat Ford of the BDC, Lou Stein of Valley Ventures and Ed Looman of Progress Alliance.

Community event planned in Toronto

A Community Forum on Revitalization and Economic Development in the Toronto area is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18.  The event will begin at 7 p.m. in the Karaffa Middle School.

George Komar, the leader of Toronto’s recently-formed revitalization group, is arranging this event. He said the concept behind the meeting is to get business leaders in the area together to talk about the economic future of Toronto and to determine what can be done to move efforts forward.

For more information regarding the meeting, contact Komar at (740) 544-6644.

Dates selected for 2010 bootstraps program

The 2010 edition of Project Bootstraps will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 27 and run through Feb. 17.  The four-part event will be held on the campus of the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

“Bootstraps” again is being organized by the Students in Free Enterprise Chapter at Franciscan.  The seminars, to be held on four consecutive Wednesdays, are designed to provide assistance for people looking to start a business or current business owners looking to grow.

Additional information will be made available once the weekly programs are finalized.  Progress Alliance again will serve as a co-sponsor for the series.

Makari will deliver prayer breakfast address

The Rev. Dr. Phillip Makari will deliver the keynote address at the fifth annual Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by Faith in the Future.

The event is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20, beginning at 7:30 a.m. in The Rose, 680 Lovers Lane. The suggested donation for the event is $5 per person.

Makari will speak on “The Biblical Call to Thanksgiving.”

Reservations can be made by sending an e-mail to 2009prayerbreakfast@gmail.com or by calling (740) 282-1132 by Nov. 16.

Best of County nomination process opens

Progress Alliance currently is accepting nominees for 2010 Best of Jefferson County awards.

Those selected will be honored during the second annual best of the county awards dinner scheduled for March.

Nomination forms now are available on the organization’s website, www.theburb.org and also can be obtained at the Progress Alliance office, 630 Market St. in downtown Steubenville.

Strickland to speak at OMEGA meeting

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland will deliver the keynote address at the semi-annual membership meeting of the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA) scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19.

The meeting will be held at the Francis Family Restaurant, 1038 Wheeling Ave. in Cambridge. For more information, contact OMEGA at (740) 439-4471.

CIC trustees will hear from Bovina

The Community Improvement Corporation’s Board of Trustees will meet again on Tuesday, Nov. 17 in the offices of Jefferson County Jobs and Family Services, 125 S. Fifth St.

Frank Bovina, transit manager of the Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority, will be the featured speaker.