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DeWine announces $1.2 million investment in East Liverpool

By KRISTI R. GARABRANDT  8 min read

EAST LIVERPOOL -- East Liverpool Mayor Bobby Smith told a crowd who had gathered on Fifth Street in downtown East Liverpool Wednesday morning that it was a huge day for the city.  

"When I ran for mayor, we wanted to change the perception of East Liverpool from what everybody thought of it over the years, the decline of it," Smith said. "We are doing so much better, and this shows it right here." 

Smith then went on to tell the audience that there were several special guests joining him including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine; J.P. Nauseef, president and CEO, JobsOhio; state Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel; Chuck Bailey, founder and president, True North LLC; and Craig Cozza, CEO, Cozza Enterprises. 

Also in attendance were state Sen. Al Cutrona; Scott Shepherd, project architect, Thompson Building; and former mayor Greg Bricker.  

Smith said the group was there to share the details of two important projects -- the transformative redevelopment of the Thompson Building and the BOSS Building -- and that these projects would transform the city's historic downtown.  

DeWine said it was great to be in East Liverpool, a community with great history, and communities like East Liverpool are important to the future of the State of Ohio. 

"What we are seeing today with these announcements is that East Liverpool downtown has a great great future," DeWine said. He also noted that the announcements that were about to be made came about from a conviction that the downtowns in some of the historic communities like East Liverpool with a little help from the state and a lot of help from local communities and a lot of drive could restore downtowns.  

He then announced that through a $4.2 million public and private partnership that the State of Ohio is partnering with East Liverpool to support the renovations of the two buildings that are central to downtown East Liverpool. 

JobsOhio's Vibrandt Community Grant is providing $600,000 and more than $627,000 in tax credits from the Ohio Department of Development.  

"We are excited to help restore the Thompson Building to its original grandeur," DeWine said. "This renovation would not be happening without local and private investment, as well. He went on to thank Smith, Bricker, the county commissioners, CIC Executive Director Bill Cowan, CIC President Pat Scafide, Team NEO and the many others who have had a role in gathering the funding for the restorations. 

DeWine noted that the renovation of the Thompson Building was just the beginning of East Liverpool's resurgence and the BOSS Building, once the home of JC Penney, would soon be the home and corporate offices of True North LLC, which is relocating from Chester, West Virginia.  

"True North is coming across the river and is going to be located right here and is going to expand right here and bring 80 jobs to East Liverpool," DeWine said. "That includes 55 existing jobs and 25 new jobs as well."  

DeWine told Bailey that he wanted to personally thank him for putting his money in East Liverpool and was very grateful to him. He also noted that True North would continue to house the Buckeye Online School for Success in the building until the school could move to their new home which would be in the Thompson Building.  

The BOSS Building, now known as True North, will undergo significant renovation with support from the state, Dewine said. He then announced that JobsOhio is contributing $700,000 from the Vibrandt Communities Program to revive the building. BOSS will be the anchor tenant in the building. The move will preserve 30 jobs and create at least 13 new positions.  

"So, for both buildings the total investment from JobsOhio Vibrant Community Program is $1.3 million going into East Liverpool," DeWine said. "I told the mayor I'm anxious to come back when these two buildings are rehabbed and are moving forward."  

According to DeWine, the two projects are perfect illustrations of what the Vibrandt Communities grants were really designed to do and to grant awards like the ones announced for East Liverpool testify to the success of the program which directs government community funding to important projects that they believe will serve as a catalyst for future restoration and growth.  

Nauseef also said that it is a big day for East Liverpool. He noted that there were 25 more projects like the ones in East Liverpool taking place in communities all around Ohio and 20 more in the pipeline.  

"The Vibrandt Communities Program is designed to give Ohio's communities the resources they need to spark revitalization, and East Liverpool is a shining example of its potential and by investing in these projects we are laying the groundwork for long-term economic success, creating jobs and ensuring East Liverpool's best days are still ahead,"  Nauseef said. "This is really the beginning of a renaissance and resurgence." 

Blasdel said that East Liverpool is a place she cares deeply about and that the investments weren't just about jobs but putting feet in the street and reigniting the energy of the community.  

She also said that the True North Project represents a forward-thinking development which will draw more people and businesses back to downtown.  

Blasdel had an official commendation from the State House which she said she would present to Bailey.  

Cutrona said the investments were incredible, noting that it wasn't jobs but careers they were bringing to the community which would provide the opportunity to keep the children in the community.  

"Ohio is open for business, Columbiana County is open for business and East Liverpool is open for business," Cutrona said. "This is a team effort, and this is how we get things done -- working together. I'm so excited not just today but for the future to come. Trust me when I say this, mark my words. This is just the beginning. We will have so much more." 

Bailey was greeted with a huge round of applause when he told the audience that he was told six months ago this wasn't possible and announced, "Welcome to our new home." 

"We celebrate today, not just the future of True North, but the future of East Liverpool, as well," Bailey said. "When we first began searching for a place to call home for our new headquarters, we knew it had to be a city with heart, character and a strong community spirit. East Liverpool checked every box for us. This city once the pottery capital of the nation is a rich legacy and a resilient community making it the perfect place for True North to plant its roots and more importantly grow." 

He also said the journey has been one of unwavering belief in what East Liverpool can once again become.  

He expressed his gratitude toward Smith and Bricker and noted that True North is made up of local talent who is personally invested in the success of the project and believe in East Liverpool.  

Cozza said that as a developer he has always believed in the power of building community through revitalizing historic buildings. 

"The Thompson Building project is about honoring the past while creating new opportunities for the future," Cozza said. "With the right mix of vision, investment, and community spirit, East Liverpool can become a model for how small towns can make big comebacks." 

Shepherd said that the investments and the building renovations are a great example of what happens when everyone comes together. He also said that so many times he has heard the Thompson Building was just a building, but he counters that the building is special. He believes that the restoration of the Thompson Building has led to others wanting to invest downtown.  

"The phrase 'it's just a building' fails to recognize how important buildings like the Thompson Block are to a community," Shepherd said. "They're what makes a community different and have character. An amazing thing happened in the community. The community realized once these historic buildings are lost, they are difficult to replace." 

Shepherd told the audience that the Thompson project was not the last project in East Liverpool and that it was only the beginning for future projects, higher standards and working together.  

Smith said he feels they are reaching their goal of not just becoming a thriving community again but a destination city. He is hoping next will be the buildings on Fourth Street and development of the East End when the Route 39 project is completed. He is also hopeful to develop the Point of Beginning with a visitor's center and incorporate that with a bike trail. He noted there is a lot of exciting things happening in the city.  

Safety Service Director Bill Jones said it was very exciting to see the events of the morning and the amount of important people who can out for the event. The support so many of them has offered has been tremendous, Jones said. He also noted that he can't thank Bailey enough for taking an interest in East Liverpool.  

"It's a great town, it's seen its hard times," Jones said. "It's seen people try to beat it down, but there has always been a group of people who do not let them beat it down. The ELCPR, The Beautification Society, East Liverpool Calcutta Garden Club, the work they are doing in town is just tremendous and we can't thank everybody enough for helping bring us back." 

"This is East Liverpool, and we continue looking forward," Shepherd said.  

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