east liverpool

We welcome retired YSU geography professor, Dr. Tom Maraffa to the podcast.

Tom recently conducted an analysis of the Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) program, with a special focus on the City of Columbiana's relatively new (but active) CRA program.

We talk about what a CRA is, what it tries to do, and how it works. Then Tom takes us through his analysis, the problems it presents, his conclusions, and his recommendations.

To see Dr. Maraffa's power point presentation, click here.

The episode nobody has been waiting for!!!

Peter Wilson returns to interview Columbiana County's Director of Economic Development, Tad Herold (that's me).

Peter asks me about my work at the Office of Economic Development, including the establishment and administration of the Columbiana County Land Bank; my work as a Port Authority Board member; and some of the current initiatives I've been working on, including the county's geographic information system (GIS), and the county visitors bureau.

Peter also asks me about my days as a Columbiana Clipper, disarms me with a question about one of my favorite artists (Don Dugal), and demands to know about my top 5 golf courses within an hour's drive.

Peter Wilson joins us once again for the podcast. This time he will be doing the interviewing! Peter interviews Penny Traina, the CEO and Executive Director of the Columbiana County Port Authority.

We learn about what this often misunderstood entity does, how it's organized, and how it's financed. We also learn about Penny's interesting career path that led her to this position. Penny also shares with us her top 5 favorite places to visit.

Dr. David Dees, Dean of the Kent State University Columbiana County Regional Campuses in Salem and East Liverpool is our guest for this episode.

He tells us about the opportunities students in Columbiana County have available to them to earn competitive, full four-year Kent State University degrees without leaving the county, and at a fraction of the cost of many other colleges and universities. You may be surprised by how many bachelor's and associates degrees are offered at the regional campuses.

Dean Dees also discusses programs like Rural Scholars program, capital investment to improve the student life experience, and other programs that help students make the transition to college life. We also learn a bit about Dean Dees's own college experience and how it informed many of his initiatives.

Bobby Ritchey is our guest for our second podcast episode. Bobby is the Executive Director of the Columbiana County Land Reutilization Corporation, otherwise known as the Land Bank.

Bobby chats with us about the Land Bank, its history, current initiatives, and future plans.

Listen to learn about demolitions and rehabs which have occurred in the county, how to request the Land Bank's help, how to partner with the Land Bank for rehab projects, and much more.

Eileen Dray-Bardon is our guest for our first-ever episode. Eileen chats with us about her many years at the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services, including over two decades as its Director. Learn about what that agency does and how it has changed. 

Eileen also talks to us about some of the other services she has provided Columbiana County, including as a volunteer on many boards. 

She also tells us a bit about her plans now that she has recently retired.