08/2023
Belmont County leaders investing in broadband
https://www.timesleaderonline.com/news/local-news/2023/08/belmont-county-leaders-investing-in-broadband/
06/2023
New Building Will Allow Alpha Tire Group, LLC to Continue Growing
Alpha Tire Group, LLC, based in Barnesville (Belmont County) has experienced rapid sales growth since 2020. To keep this trend going, the company soon will be operating out of a new warehouse facility.
Alpha Tire Group, LLC, in collaboration with JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE), and the Belmont County Port Authority, today unveiled plans for its real estate holding company, JDL Rental, LLC, to construct a 9,600 square-foot warehouse facility on Gardner Street in the village of Barnesville.
Founded in 2015, the majority of the company is owned by the Hershberger family. Alpha Tire Group, LLC is a wholesale vehicle tire distributor currently operating out of a 16,000-square-foot building. The project will allow the company to purchase inventory in larger quantities thus improving pricing, increasing profitability, and allowing it to better meet customer demands.
The company’s primary distribution area is the Ohio Valley but it has customers in more than 20 states. The project represents an investment of more than $400,000 and the company will eventually create six new jobs while retaining four jobs.
Marvin Wengard, Manager, and Vernon Hershberger, Purchasing Manager
“We are grateful for the support from JobsOhio, OhioSE, Belmont County Port Authority, and the Village of Barnesville in helping us create more jobs for our local market,” said Jake Hershberger, CEO of Alpha Tire Group. “We are excited to continue growing our family business in Southeast Ohio while expanding our customer base across multiple states.”
JobsOhio supported the project with a $25,000 JobsOhio Inclusion Grant and Ohio Southeast Economic Development assisted the company with the grant process. The Belmont County Port Authority provided support for the project and the village of Barnesville vacated a former rail spur cutting across the company’s property and is in the process of vacating two unused alleys to facilitate the construction of the new warehouse.
“The Port Authority was happy to assist with the coordination of this grant opportunity for Alpha Tire Group,” said Larry Merry, Executive Director of the Belmont County Port Authority. “This grant will help to expand a great family-owned and community-minded business that will continue to support local jobs.”
The JobsOhio Inclusion Grant exists to provide financial support for eligible projects in designated distressed communities and/or for businesses owned by underrepresented populations across the state.
“We love to see our local manufacturers grow their capacity and impact,” said Mike Jacoby, OhioSE President. “We are grateful to JobsOhio for their investment in Alpha Tire Group and the Southeast Ohio region, setting them up for long-term success in Belmont County.”
10/2022
The Great Stone Viaduct preservation project in Bellaire, OH.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, construction began on the forty-three arches in 1870 to span the Ohio River between Bellaire, OH and Benwood, WV. In 2015, The Great Stone Viaduct Education Society acquired ownership of the viaduct and surrounding properties in an effort to preserve the impressive stone archways. With some assistance from the Belmont County Port Authority, the Society was awarded a $2 million grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program. This grant allowed the Society to construct a walking trail/bicycle path to an observation platform, while restoring the historical site.
Click Here To Read More About The Great Stone Viaduct
07/2022
Around the World Gourmet in Bellaire has added indoor and outdoor dining and a rice flour mill. Click this link to read more about the exciting changes that Jennifer Kocher is making.
Read More About….Around The World Gourmet
03/2022
Belmont County was featured in a recent Business in Focus magazine article. Click the link below to read more about Belmont County, MPR Transloading, and Belmont County GIG fiber internet company.
Productivity Through Connectivity
02/2022
Being Real is the Best Approach
01/2022
Belmont County Fiber Internet is Coming
12/2021
C. J. LaRoche Decided on Career Path at Early Age
Story on Bellaire Businessman
12/2021
American Shale: A New Hope
Local dairy farm featured in documentary
08/2021
Fiber Broadband Project Underway
Students in Union Local, Barnesville, and St. Clairsville will benefit by year-end
07/2021
Cain Robotic Dairy Operation
06/2021
East Ohio Regional Hospital Wins EODA Excellence Award
06/2021
MPR Expands Operation
03/24/2021
Commissioners Talk about Future of Oil and Gas
03/2021
Speaking Out Against False Narrative
12/2020
PTT GC Achieves “A” Rating for Water Security
9/2020
JobsOhio and OhioSE Visit MPR
Officials from JobsOhio and OhioSE recently visited MPR Supply Chain Solutions in Bellaire. Terry Slaybaugh, Vice President – Sites and Infrastructure for JobsOhio, Matt Cybulski, Managing Director – Energy and Chemicals for JobsOhio, Ed Looman, Manager – Engagement and Relationships for OhioSE, and Bill Arnett, Project Manager for OhioSE toured the MPR site to see their recent dock expansion project.
8/3/2020
LaRoche Tree Service Enterprise Zone Agreement Approved by Officials
LaRoche Tree Trimming Service is Growing
7/29/2020
Residents and Officials Respond to Daelim Chemical Withdrawal from Project
Reaction to Daelim Withdrawal
7/14/2020
Daelim Chemical Withdraws from Belmont County Cracker Project
PTT GC America Looking for New Investment Partner
3/25/2020
Belmont County and Mead Township officials approve enterprise zone agreement with PTTGC America LLC
Belmont County Agreement with PTTGC America LLC
Times Leader Article PTTGC America LLC
2/2020
Representatives from JobsOhio and the Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG) toured the Eastern Ohio Regional Industrial Park on January 31. Officials were able to see the progress made by local developer, Jefferis Real Estate, as a result of the Pilot Redevelopment Grant awarded in 2017. The group later traveled to Noble County to explore potential similar development opportunities.
1/2020
Deluxe Toy & Novelty in Martins Ferry is one of Ohio’s Best and is featured in the January 2020 issue of Ohio Magazine.
Deluxe Toy & Novelty Featured
12/2019
A private meeting was held December 3, 2019 in Dilles Bottom regarding the proposed ethane cracker plant project.
Members of PTT Global Chemical and Daelim met with state and local leaders to discuss the project.
6/2019
The Belmont County commissioners and Port Authority staff visited Tim’s Custom Installation in the St. Clairsville area. The company is hosting an open house on Saturday, July 27, 2019.
5/2019
The May 23, 2019 meeting of the Belmont County Port Authority board of directors was held in Barnesville. After the meeting, board members and numerous guests, including State Representative Don Jones, Belmont County commissioners, and village council members from Barnesville, toured the two area industrial parks.
2/2019 and 3/2019
The Belmont County Commissioners and Port Authority staff visited recently with officials at Bellaire Harbor, Turf Care (near Yorkville), and Belmont Mills – all long-standing county businesses.
Bellaire Harbor visit
Turf Care visit
Belmont Mills visit
12/17/2018
The Belmont County Commissioners and Port Authority staff visited Union Local High School and Middle School on December 6. While at the Middle School, they were able to try out the Mobile Oilfield Learning Unit (MOLU), provided by Cabot Oil, Southwest Energy, and Williams Energy, which was visiting the same day. The interactive learning stations exposed the students to STEM-related activities pertaining to the oil and gas industry. The MOLU visit to Union Local was locally sponsored by Rick and Kathy Frio of Frio Capital. To read more about the MOLU, visit this link.
MOLU for Appalachian Basin
Commissioner Josh Meyer, Union Local Schools Superintendent Ben Porter,
Commissioner JP Dutton, Port Authority Assistant Executive Director Sherri
Butler, and Commissioner Mark Thomas.
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08/28/2018
XTO Energy releases community impact video.
XTO Energy’s Community Impact: Belmont County
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06/06/2018
The US Department of Transportation announced a grant award for the Ohio Rail Development Commission on Tuesday.
Rail Improvements To Benefit Potential PTT Cracker
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05/04/2018
An Emerging Energy Cluster
A study conducted by IHS Markit in March 2018 finds that there will be a significant advantage for an ethylene/polyethylene investment in the Shale Crescent USA region, compared to a similar investment on the US Gulf Coast. To read the the brief and informative study, follow the link below.
The Shale Crescent USA Region
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05/03/2018
Potential Cracker Plant Update
PTT GC America and their partner, South Korean chemical company Daelim, have purchased additional acreage for the possible ethane cracker plant. WTOV9’s coverage is available at this link.
PTT Belmont County Property Purchase
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04/27/2018
Award Winner from Belmont County
Jefferis Real Estate LLC was presented with the 2018 Emerging Business award by the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance (EODA) at their 28th annual meeting. The award is presented to recognize excellence in an emerging business operation in Eastern Ohio. Jefferis Real Estate was founded in 2001, but in the last few years, the company has constructed nine buildings in Barnesville area industrial parks. Each building is leased and occupied, mostly by oil and gas-related businesses who are providing over 400 jobs to area residents.
Left to right: Chris Abbuhl, EODA President, J. P. Dutton, Belmont County Commissioner, T. J. Jefferis and John Jefferis, Sr. of Jefferis Real Estate LLC, and Jim Schoch, EODA Executive Director. |
Left to right: Front row – Tom and Rita Jefferis (parents of John and T.J. Jefferis), Sherri Butler, Assistant Executive Director of Belmont County Port Authority, and Mark Thomas, Belmont County Commissioner. Back row – John Jefferis, Sr., Larry Merry, Executive Director of Belmont County Port Authority, T.J. Jefferis, Josh Meyer and J.P. Dutton, Belmont County Commissioners. |
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04/12/2018
Ohio Valley Regional Oil and Gas Expo
The Belmont County Commission and the Port Authority annually host The Ohio Valley Regional Oil and Gas Expo, planned and executed by MPR Transloading & Energy Services. The Expo is held at the James Carnes Center, 45300 Roscoe Rd., St. Clairsville, OH 43950. This year’s Expo kicks off with a Networking Reception on April 24, 2018, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Advance registration and ticket purchase is required. http://www.ohiovalleyoilgasexpo.com/
Recent oil and gas acquisitions, pipelines, the proposed ethane cracker plant, and the potential ethane storage hub will be the topics discussed at the Networking Reception. The free, one-day, business-to-business Expo is Wednesday, April 25 at 7:00 a.m. and until 3:00 p.m.
This event was established to introduce and connect the growing number of energy businesses to the local business community. The Seventh Annual Ohio Valley Regional Oil and Gas Expo provides a forum for suppliers to meet industry leaders and showcase their evolving products and services in the Marcellus and Utica Shale Plays. For more information, call 740-671-9822.
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04/04/2018
Jackie Stewart, from Energy In Depth, recently shared some of the ways that the oil and gas industry is positively impacting our county, the region, and cities like Cincinnati and Toledo. The presentation is available at this link.
EnergyInDepth2018
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3/28/2018
Belmont County Port Authority Executive Director, Larry Merry, will be one of the panelists at the second OHIO Shale Policy and Technology Symposium on Thursday, April 5, 2018 in Dublin, Ohio. Follow the link below to learn more about the Symposium and to register to attend.
Ohio Shale Policy and Technology Symposium
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03/27/2018
Agile Networks Update
St. Clairsville, Ohio – Agile Networks has completed Phase 1 of its Broadband Network. This project within Belmont County, Ohio will increase the availability of high speed internet services to the residents and businesses within the community, while expanding upon the significant investments that Agile has made to communications infrastructure throughout Ohio.
Agile connected its first Belmont County residential user, Robert Banyas of Flushing, on March 9, 2018. Mr. Banyas did not have an adequate broadband option at his residence prior to the agreement between Agile and the County. For the Banyas family, Agile’s arrival in the County was very timely, as Robert’s wife Jessica is transitioning to a work-from-home program, as required by her employer, at the end of March. A major component of Jessica’s ability to participate in this program is access to a reliable high speed internet connection. With Agile’s connectivity now in place, not only will she be able to continue her role with her current employer, but she will also be able to spend more time at home and forego the three-hour round-trip commute that she’d become accustomed to over the past five years. “Agile’s service has been great,” said Mr. Banyas, “Not only did it save my wife’s job, but it’s nice to be able to stream and browse without having to worry about overage charges”. Read full article at link below.
Agile Broadband Service is Here
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03/13/2018
Belmont County Port Authority Executive Director, Larry Merry, speaks with Dr. K, COO of PTT Global Chemical. Governor John Kasich held a press conference on March 12, 2018 to announce that Daelim, a South Korean company, will partner with Thailand-based PTTGC for the feasibility study on construction of an ethane cracker plant in Dilles Bottom. Read more at the link below.
Ohio Welcomes Daelim Partnership with PTT
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01/29/2018
The Ohio Valley Regional Oil & Gas Expo is the premier 2018 Oil and Gas event in the Marcellus and Utica Shale Regions. Don’t miss this great business-to-business networking event April 25, 2018.
2018 Ohio Valley Regional Oil & Gas Expo
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10/18/2017
Broadband Internet Options
The Belmont County Commissioners have signed an agreement with Agile Networks to expand broadband internet service options to county residents. Please contact Agile Networks at belmont@agilenetworks.com to let them know you may be interested in their services. The WTOV9 coverage of the commissioners’ meeting is available at the link below.
Belmont County to Expand Broadband
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Port Authority Hosts Property Owners Meeting
07/11/2017
The Belmont County Commissioners and Port Authority hosted an informational meeting for property owners who may be interested in developing their land. Mike Jacoby, Vice President-Business Development for the Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG), Donna Hrezo, Regional Site Coordinator for APEG, and Phil Smith, Project Manager for JobsOhio gave brief presentations. Topics included how to have a competitive commercial site and the programs available through JobsOhio that can assist with site preparation.
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Ohio Valley Regional Oil & Gas Expo
05/03/2017
The annual Ohio Valley Regional Oil & Gas Expo was held April 25-26, 2017 at the James Carnes Convention Center, west of St. Clairsville. The two-day business-to-business gathering featured a network reception with leading industry speakers on Tuesday evening, including Derek Rice of Rice Enegery, Kirk Trosclair of Fountain Quail, and Dana Saucier, Jr., from JobsOhio.
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PTT Cracker Plant Decision Planned for Late 2017
02/14/2017
PTTGCA Press Release
Newly-elected Commissioners Tour Bellaire Industrial Park
01/19/2017
The Belmont County Port Authority recently hosted a tour of two successful businesses in the Bellaire Industrial Park for newly-elected commissioners J.P. Dutton and Josh Meyer.
The visit began at MPR Transloading and Energy Services, where President Natalie Brown and Executive Chairman Rick Frio gave a brief overview of MPR and a tour of their frac sand terminal. Next stop was Muxie Distributing Company for a tour of their state-of-the-art distribution facility with President Jeff Paolina and Vice President of Sales, Rick Paolina.
Tying together these two businesses, along with the other businesses in the Park, is the newly-paved Guernsey Street, funded in part by state and local government grants coordinated by the Port Authority.
MPR Executive Chairman, Rick Frio (left) explains the
sand terminal operation to Commissioners Josh Meyer (center) and
J.P. Dutton.
Commissioner Josh Meyer, Commissioner J.P. Dutton,
Port Authority Executive Director Larry Merry, MPR President
Natalie Brown, and MPR Executive Chairman Rick Frio.
Muxie Distributing President Jeff Paolina explains the
warehouse distribution system to the new commissioners.
Muxie Distributing Company President/CEO Jeff Paolina,
Rick Paolina, Belmont County Port Authority Executive
Director Larry Merry, Commissioner Josh Meyer, and
Commissioner J. P. Dutton.
Belmont is a County to Watch
01/03/2017
The article in the link below was published by Energy In Depth (EID), a research, education and public outreach campaign focused on getting the facts out about the promise and potential of responsibly developing America’s onshore energy resource base.
https://energyindepth.org/ohio/ohio-utica-shale-counties-to-watch-in-2017-belmont-monroe/
OVOGA Third Annual River Boat Tour
09/01/2016
Port Authority Executive Director, Mr. Larry Merry, gave an update on the potential petrochemical cracker plant during the Ohio Valley Oil and Gas Association’s (OVOGA) Third Annual Ohio River Boat Tour on August 31, 2016.
Mr. Bob Harrison, owner of Bellaire Harbor Service, hosted the OVOGA group on his restored paddlewheel boat, The Sewickley, built in the 1930’s. About 40 people from OVOGA-member businesses enjoyed networking, refreshments, and details on how the cracker plant will have a huge impact on the Ohio Valley. Mr. Merry talked about the number of construction and permanent jobs the proposed ethane cracker plant will provide and how supporting industries will likely come to the valley. PTT Global Chemical America is slated to make a final decision about the plant construction during the first quarter of 2017.
Mr. Merry explained how the Ohio River is an important asset to the valley for moving materials, including coal, sand, gravel and steel. Businesses in the Bellaire Industrial Park such as Oxford Mining, MPR Transloading, and MPR Sand Terminal utilize and depend on the Ohio River.
Progress in Western Belmont County
08/26/2016
http://wtov9.com/news/local/industry-keeps-developing-in-belmont-county
Burger Plant Stack Demolition
07/29/2016
The former R.E. Burger power plant smokestack came down on Friday, July 29 as Thai company PTT Global Chemical Public Company Ltd. prepares to make a final decision on building a $5.7 billion petrochemical plant related to the oil and gas industry. Click here for the story and a link to see video of the demolition.