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Wellsburg Bridge Grand Opening

Grand Opening Set for September 20, 2023!

Celebration organized by the Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce.

In celebration of the completion of the Wellsburg Bridge it is our honor to announce it’s opening day. To recognize this momentous occasion for our communities the Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce has been working closely with numerous government and community organizations from both Ohio and West Virginia to provide this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Click here to RSVP for Grand Opening Ceremony

Activities:


All Day: Food truck vendors. The Caffeinated Cow, Holey Rollers Donuts, Wellsburg Lions Club, Rusty Bull Tacos, Camarades: Mexican and Italian Food, and Ideal Provisions. Live entertainment is located in Center of the bridge. 106.3 The River radio station broadcasting live from the bridge all day.

8:00am: Bridge Run Would you like to be one of the first people to run or walk across the new bridge? A shuttle bus will be available for all runners/walkers at Yankee Street in Wellsburg between 7th and 9th street. (There will be signs for the shuttle). The bus will be at the site at 7:30am to pick up the runners/walkers. Please avoid the west side of the bridge after 8:30am. The car cruise vehicles will be lining up on the Ohio side of the bridge at this time.

10:30am: Classic Car Cruise There will be a classic car cruise in with an estimated 150 classic cars on the bridge from 10:30—6:00pm. All car entries will receive a dash plaque with bridge artwork and opening date. This event is in honor of the former Wellsburg Mayor Sue Simonetti who was instrumental in the bridge project. No cars will be permitted on the bridge until 8:30am and must arrive no later than 10:00am. Music for the cruise-in provided by DJ Spike Man.

10:50am: Presentation of Colours by the Osiris Shrine Legion of Honor and VFW

11:00am: Brooke High School Band to perform from 11:00am-11:20am

11:30am: Buckeye Local High School Band to perform from 11:30am-11:50

12:00pm: Grand Opening Ceremonies: National Anthem by Laurie Labishak. There will be a ceremony and ribbon cutting recognizing all those who made the bridge project possible. We have received word that Governor Justice will be in attendance.

12:30pm: Brooke High School Choir will sing “Country Roads”

2:00pm: Poor Man’s Heaven Band

4:00pm: The Next Band

6:00pm: Parade There will be a short parade on the bridge from Ohio to West Virginia starting at 3rd street in Brilliant, OH ending in Wellsburg at the intersection of the bridge and state Route 2.

A very special Thank You to these local restaurants for their contributions to the Wellsburg Bridge Opening Ceremonies: 

Station Grille
Mark’s Carry Out
Drovers

Thank You to 
Pastaio Cucina
For providing a luncheon for the dignitaries 

Parking & Shuttle Service


Important Parking Updates, see below:

Due to limited parking on the WV side no public parking is permitted at the bridge site in WV. There are two designated public parking areas located in Beech Bottom and on Yankee Street in Wellsburg between 7th street and 9th street. There will be a free shuttle service running between these designated parking areas and the bridge site during the day of the event from 10am—7pm. On the Ohio side public parking is available at the bridge site in Brilliant at the Buckeye Local School Football Field. Shuttle Service will be provided.

*The Wellsburg bridge will be open for vehicle traffic on 9/21/2023

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Chamber AnnouncementChamber News

Small Business Grants Available!

The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce announces the CDBG Small Business Micro-Grant Program for new or early-stage businesses located in Steubenville’s low-moderate-income demographic areas. Funds, ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 per business, will assist with start-up costs, thus contributing to their initial success and continued revitalization of our community.

The City of Steubenville’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program provided funding to the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce to develop and maintain viable urban communities by providing economic development opportunities. CDBG funding must meet the national objective to benefit the low-moderate-income demographic, including business retention activities.

A Microenterprise Business is defined as a commercial enterprise that has at least one but not more than five (5) employees, including the owner(s). one or more of which is the principal and owns the enterprise at the time of application. This includes both part-time and full-time employees. A Microenterprise Business is a private for-profit business entity; corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship that is legal, licensed, and is operating in the City of Steubenville.

Program Overview:

Grant awards will be between $2,500 to $7,500 for qualifying for-profit small businesses. The business must be located in a qualifying low-to-moderate service area within the City of Steubenville. New and newly established is defined as businesses opened for business within the last 12 months or planning to open within 6 months of application.  The Business must also sell products or services to residents of Steubenville’s low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. 

Eligible Uses of Funds:
  • Inventory
  • Procurement of machinery, furniture, and equipment, excluding fixtures, construction equipment and vehicles.
  • Working/Operating capital (not to include interest or finance charges)
  • Defined working/operating capital – Utilities, rent (utilities and rent in non-residential buildings only), business services (accounting, IT, website development)
  • Preparation of architectural/engineering plans/specifications and related plan review fees for interior or exterior improvements to non-residential buildings provided such improvements are specifically identified as “Exempt Activities” in the City’s Programmatic Memorandum of Agreement with the Ohio Historic Preservation Office (OHPO).   This does not include construction costs. 
Ineligible or Restricted Uses of Funds:
  • The repayment of existing debt
  • Employee/owner payroll taxes
  • Reimbursement of costs incurred prior to loan/grant award
  • Reimbursement for interest charges or finance changes of any kind with no exceptions
  • Political or religious activities
  • Lobbying any governmental entity
Eligibility Requirements:
  • Business must be located in a qualifying Low-to-Moderate service area within the City of Steubenville, as determined by census tract data. Link to map.
  • Business must sell products or services to residents of the Low-Moderate Income area.
  • Business must be locally owned and non-franchised
  • Business must not have more than five (5) employees, including the owner(s)
  • A newly established business is defined as opening from January 1, 2022, through the present day
  • Applicant must have the required local, State and Federal licenses, permits, or registrations to operate their business within the City of Steubenville.
  • No applications will be considered if the current business or entity is in arrears for City taxes or has any other outstanding liens or judgements.
  • All grant awardees will be required to enter into a CDBG Grant Agreement with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce prior to issuance of grant funds.
  • Grant funds not meeting HUD criteria, will need to be repaid to the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
  • Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis
  • Only complete applications will be processed.
How To Apply:
  • Submit the form below
  • Eligible business may apply
  • Qualifying businesses selected to receive grants will be contacted with a request to submit additional documentation prior to issuance of grant award.
Application and Review Process:
  • Applications will be reviewed by a committee of business peers selected by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.
  • If the applicant is unable to complete the application, it will be denied.
Contact for More Information:

Please contact Kate Sedgmer at kate@jeffersoncountychamber.com for more information.

MicroEnterprise Grant Application

General Information:

Applicant Name(Required)
Address(Required)
What is your businesses' organizational structure?(Required)

Ownership & Management Structure

List all proprietors, partners, and/or stockholders with at least 20% ownership in the business:
Add lines as necessary.

Project Budget & Financial Information

Please check all scopes of the project that apply:(Required)

Please include individual expenses and total project cost.
Does the owner/s have at least 10% CASH equity contribution to the project?(Required)

Description

Does the business owner reside within Steubenville?(Required)
Do you attest that you have obtained or applied for all local, state and federal licenses, permits, and registrations to operate?(Required)
Is your business registered with the State of Ohio?(Required)

Documentation Requirements

Drop files here or
Max. file size: 16 MB.
    1. A business plan/narrative including budget and timeframe of the activities. 2. Include a list of all financial backing for the project. (Loans/Investors/etc.) 3. A copy of all local state, and federal licenses.

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    Chamber AnnouncementCommunity

    Nonprofit Billboard Lottery Now Open!

    Chamber Billboard Inquires

    • Feb, March, April, May, Oct, Nov & December slots are unavailable.
    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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    HolidayShift Your ShoppingSmall Business Saturday

    Shop Local. Gift Local. Be Local.

    2022 Shop Local Initiatives

    Shop Where I Live
    Shop Local from the comfort of your home! Visit OhioValley.ShopWhereILive.com to purchase gift cards, products, and more from small business Chamber members. It’s not too late for businesses to sign up and take advantage of our FREE site. Email info@jeffersoncountychamber.com to learn more.

    Download our FREE Shop Local Digital Media Kit and Small Business Holiday Marketing Checklist!
    Download Full Kit Here
    Download Checklist
    Download Door Sign
    Download Sticker Template

    Shift your Shopping Contest:
    Look for our Shift Your Shopping boxes at local retail and restaurant Chamber members around the county! For every $25 you spend you are eligible for one chance to enter into our drawing to win $250 cash! The winner will be announced on Facebook live at the Holiday Open House & Jingle and Mingle Market!

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    JobsOhioOhioSE

    Are You Struggling to Recruit your Workforce?

    Ohio Southeast can help! Join OhioSE and JobsOhio for a one-hour virtual training on best practices for Human Resources in finding hidden talent. Hear directly from experts working to place job seekers from niche talent pools.

    Learn who to contact and how to hire:

    • National Guard
    • Recovery to Work
    • Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

    The session is one hour in length and includes engaging discussion and time for Q&A.

    Session will take place on Tuesday, June 21st, via Zoom from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

    For more information, click here to download a printable PDF. Click the link below to register. You will receive log-in details after registration. Click the link in your confirmation email to “Add to Calendar.”

    Learn More and Register Here >

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    Chamber News

    Juneteenth Community Celebration

    On June 19, 1865, the Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with the news that the Civil War had ended and all enslaved people were now free.

    The day became known as Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, the oldest African-American holiday. In June 2021, this day, Juneteenth or Freedom Day, was designated a Federal Holiday – Juneteenth National Independence Day – a time to honor African-American heritage, but also an occasion to revel and reflect on the principles upon which this great nation was founded.

    Second Baptist ChurchSteubenville City SchoolsTrinity Health System, and the Old Fort Steuben have joined forces to hold a Four Day Celebration to commemorate Juneteenth in the City of Steubenville. There will be entertainment, food vendors, games and activities for children, health screenings, special performances by students of SCS and Sycamore Center, featured performances by Angela Primm (ordained minister and renowned gospel artist), commercial venders, special guest speakers’ music, and much more. THERE WILL BE FUN FOR ALL!

    JOIN THE FESTIVITIES

    Second Baptist Church Juneteenth Festival
    (South Eighth Street)
    Friday, June 17th, and Saturday, June 18th
    11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

    Harding Stadium – Rejoice and Celebrate
    Sunday, June 19th
    2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Old Fort Steuben – Reflect and Celebrate
    Monday, June 20th
    1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    Download Juneteenth Flyer >

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    Golf Classic

    Join us for the 2022 Chamber Golf Classic!

    The Chamber golf outing is a favorite among many local businesses and organizations. It’s been around for over 30 years, yet never gets stale. New things are being added and improved each year. It brings businesspeople, golfers, volunteers, and sponsors together for a great day of friendly competition, food, drink, and lots of networking.

    While it may sound cliché, many deals are made on (or near) the golf course. You never know who you’ll meet while eating breakfast, volunteering, or working your business’ tent.

    Last year, over 100 were in attendance, including those who played, volunteered, came for dinner and prizes, or just stopped by to say hello.

    The Chamber would like to personally invite you to come and hang out for the day. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to register for the dinner. We hope to see you there!

    Sponsorships Remaining:
    Shot Glass Shot Gun Start
    Hole-In-One

    It’s not too late to sponsor a tee sign or double logo package!
    Double Logo sponsorship: $175
    Tee Sign: $125
    *We are now sold out for golf teams! Thank you to all of you who bought a team this year!

    Registration and Sponsorship Information Available Here >

    Volunteer >

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    Jefferson County Public Health

    Community Gardens and Support Groups

    What exactly are community gardens?

    These are plots of land that are used by individuals or groups to help benefit the people who care for the garden.

    The JCGHD Maternal/Child Health Program is excited to offer this opportunity to moms throughout the county. Our specific goals are as follows:

    • Teach moms and their children how to grow their own vegetables.
    • Improve the health of moms and moms-to-be throughout Jefferson County.
    • Create a safe and friendly environment for moms to share stories and support each other.

    If you’re interested in participating or learning more about this program, please reach out! You can also download the official flyer by clicking the button below.

    Email: kslussar@jchealth.com    Phone: 740-283-8530 ext. 1636

    Community Gardens Flyer >

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    Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

    Two Upcoming OEPA/DEFA Webinars

    The Compliance Assistance Unit: Troubleshooting Noncompliance for Smaller Mechanical Wastewater Treatment Plants

    Tuesday, April 12, 2022
    10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

    This webinar will detail how the Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance’s Compliance Assistance Unit (CAU) identifies failing wastewater treatment plants and provides options to correct problems. Specific strategies will be provided on how effective process control saves time and provides data needed to make process control decisions.

    An in-depth discussion on how to gain insights into creating the proper environments of the tanks to get bacteria to work and effective process control techniques will also be provided. A detailed review of how to use the Activated Sludge Process Control and Troubleshooting Manual and Flow Chart to solve Noncompliance at smaller mechanical wastewater treatment plants will be provided.

    This webinar will provide specific instructions on how to perform process control like a pro (or like the CAU). Detailed information will be provided on how to maintain compliance using cheap, easy, and effective tools.

    Register Now >

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