Village and county officials say they are committed to the development of the Eastern Ohio Regional Industrial Park.
Recently, the Belmont County Board of Commissioners transferred $714,743 from the East Ohio Regional Industrial Park fund to the county general fund for eventual use in plans to change the Mall Road/I-70 interchange and open up land for development in the Ohio Valley Mall/Plaza area east of St. Clairsville.
Commissioners earmarked the money for the industrial park by reestablishing a county infrastructure fund on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009. That fund included earmarking $714,474 for the water and sewer installation project.
Board of Commissioners President Ginny Favede said the reappropriation of the money does not mean the board is not committed to the industrial park project.
"We gave $100,000 to the purchase of the property and $750,000 to the building of the road," Favede said. "We have promised, in writing, $250,000 in local matching funds for a grant for the park."
Favede said the commissioners were required by law to set aside money for infrastructure and feel that "movement on the mall road" project warranted the reappropriation of the funds.
"We need to take advantage of this opportunity at the mall," Favede said. "We have not taken back our commitment."
She added that anything that benefits the county, benefits all parts of the county.
"The industrial park project is still moving forward," Belmont County Port Authority Director Larry Merry said.
Other county and village officials involved with the project are also continuing their commitment.
Village officials met Thursday, July 22 with an engineer from Poggemeyer Design Group to discuss water/sewer line installation for the Eastern Ohio Regional Industrial Park. Village Administrator Roger Deal said a proposed contract for engineering work for the water system will be presented at the Aug. 2 village council meeting.
"The Port Authority is totally committed to getting this project up and running. Larry Merry is totally committed to this project," Merry said. "This is a good project and it will work."
Ground was broken for the park in October of 2009. The development of the industrial park is a joint effort between the Belmont County Commissioners, the Port Authority, the village of Barnesville, Warren Township and Oxford Mining. More than $1 million has been received for the project through development grants. Oxford Mining donated 200 acres of land for the industrial park, and the county has an option to obtain an additional 652 acres of adjacent land for future expansion.
Barnesville officials are currently seeking a federal grant for installation of an infrastructure systems at the site.
Comments