Recent federal law reopened the process for designating census tracts as opportunity zones. This designation makes it more attractive for the private sector to invest in the area at no cost to the city, county, or State of Ohio. We will be talking with decision-makers about including North Downtown in the revised opportunity zone map. Learn more here.

In the past the city has offered a facade grant to assist building owners making improvements to the fronts of their historic buildings. These grants were federally funded, and we will be encouraging the city to revive them and offering our assistance. For more on the prior program, see this news coverage.

In connection with Steubenville’s existing plans for road and signalization removal, we will be advocating that the city dedicate unused areas for additional street parking in 2026.

While the city has long-standing plans for streetscape improvements, federal funds for a large project have been scarce. We will be working to identify actionable next steps, collaborate with decision makers, identify actionable next steps, and act on at least one incremental change in 2026.

Whether it’s closer partnerships with the county port authority or a new economic development consultant hired by the city, the DSBA is working to ensure additional effort is spent on economic development in the city.