EAST LIVERPOOL – A former state legislator has been tapped by Mayor Ryan Stovall to serve as one of his advisors.

Former state Rep. Craig Newbold, 67, Columbiana, has accepted the voluntary position of economic development advisor to the mayor.

Stovall, who took office Jan. 1, said Newbold brings “a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position when it comes to job creation and making things happen.”

He emphasized the position is uncompensated, saying, “He stopped into my office to talk about a couple of things, and I asked if he would be interested in holding a position like this.”

Newbold grew up in Glenmoor, graduated from Beaver Local High School and attended Aquinas College, LaRouche College and Indiana University.

He became an executive in the software development industry, starting a business in Seattle, then retired and returned to Columbiana County where he was elected in 2010 to the Ohio House of Representatives.

Newbold lost his bid for re-election in 2012 to Nick Barborak by 1 percent of the vote.

He also established the New Life Academy in East Liverpool.

“With Mr. Newbold and the East Liverpool Community Partnership for Redevelopment working together, the possibilities for the city are endless,” Stovall said.

He said Newbold “really stepped up to the plate” and was instrumental in the Market Street Loft project currently underway in the city’s downtown. Newbold owns the buildings that will be demolished to make way for the workforce housing apartment building.

“That project will put working, tax-paying citizens right in the heart of our business district, and it would not have happened had it not been for him,” Stovall said Friday.

In his role as economic development advisor, Newbold will have the authority to speak on the mayor’s behalf with businesses when he can’t be present, Stovall said.

Newbold can be contacted at craignewbold@comcast.net or 330-540-8295.