Latest Progress Reports

Annual Report 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999

Funding Report Benchmark Summary Report

During the 1920’s and 1930’s the region’s steel and shoemaking industries were major employers. The community has revived the New Boston steel complex and once abandoned buildings and structures and the New Boston Coke Company to reinvent business, hope, and vitality. The Greater Portsmouth EC has developed community-based partnerships organized around the EC Council, Steering Committee, task groups, public partnerships, private sector partnerships, and the health community. The strategic plan is in harmony with regional initiatives including the strategic plan for Southern Ohio, and the Governor’s Region VII White Paper for Scioto County. There is much involvement from the business community. Assisting with entrepreneurship activities are the SBA/SCORE volunteers, Southern Ohio Growth Partnership, and the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC).

Counties (Census Tracts): Scioto (9931, 9934, 9935, 9936, 9937, 9939)

Poverty rate: 33% Overall Unemployment: 11% Based on 1990 census data

Education Level: Less than high school: 42%; Per Capita Income: $7,902

Economic Development: Obtaining a covenant not to sue in order to permit development of the New Boston Brownfield site was one of the major accomplishments of the EC. The Southern Ohio Port Authority, owner of the New Boston Brownfield site cleared 16.5 acres for industrial development. Clearing of the site allowed the OSCO Industries, a local manufacturer to construct a new casting manufacturing facility employing over 100 residents.

Significant Leveraging Successes: The Southern Ohio Growth Partnership, which operates the Small Business Counseling Center, received a $1 million loan under USDA, Rural Development’s Intermediary Relending Program. As a result, the partnership awarded three revolving loans, coupled with local bank financing, for $400,000. One of the loans is to purchase the assets of a ready mix concrete business, which had been closed for 6 months. Reopening this business resulted in the 8 former employees being rehired. A second business involved the purchase of an existing department store, which had been the primary department store in the community for over 124 years. The financing prevented the business from closing thus retaining 120 employees. The third business involved the purchase of additional inventory for a growing plumbing, heating and supply company which currently employs 60 persons and will add 10 new jobs.

Housing and Health Care: Improved by expanding CAO clinic hours to include evening clinics during the week and a new clinic on Saturday. The EC is also coordinating a housing resource center and home ownership program to increase affordable housing.

Jobs created or saved: 844; persons trained: 873; youth served by development programs 92; computers donated to organizations through federal surplus: 59;

Leveraged funding: $40,281,989; facilities built or improved: 6

Contact Information:

EZ/EC Map . . . Feedback . . . EZ/EC Home Page