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The East Liverpool Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) approved the nominations of board members to the seats with expired terms during its annual board of trustees meeting held Thursday.
Nominees approved were all for a two-year term to expire on Jan. 31, 2026, including Patrick Scafide, Scott Shepherd, James Swoger, Darlene Kinsey and Craig Stowers. The approval was unanimous.
Nominations for officers resulted in a unanimous approval for William Cowan, executive director; Scafide, president; Craig Kidd, vice president; Lisa Blasdel, treasurer; and Shepherd, secretary.
The board voted in favor of Farmers National Bank as the CIC depository, with one abstention.
An all-in-favor vote led to the approval of the sale of property located on Stewart Street to John and Wanda Reed for market land value of $3,800. This was discussed and approved to be put before the board for a vote in the CIC Property Committee meeting held immediately prior to the board meeting.
After some discussion and assurance that the business owner was caught up on his interest payments, the board approved the recommendation to extend the loan repayment term of 36 months to 72 months for M&K Wine Co. The business has an outstanding loan balance of $30,029.26. There were 10 votes in favor and one abstention.
Cowan went over the balances in the CIC's six checking accounts and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Facade Improvement Funds, which are earmarked for businesses in the Central Business Districts. Through the Facade Improvement Grant Program, the CIC matched up to $12,500 for improvements to business within that area.
Cowan also provided the trustees with a lot of properties currently owned by the CIC. The list contained 30 properties for which 15 had the buildings demolished. Cowan noted that he needed a meeting with the property committee to discuss how to dispose of some of the properties, so the CIC doesn't have to maintain them.
Scafide said it was great to have the properties, but it was time to get rid of them and get them developed.
Shepherd gave an update on the Thompson building and noted that a meeting would be held to continue planning for the building for which work is anticipated being started sometime this year.
Cowan discussed the list of businesses who have small business loans through the CIC and noted that the loan for Shaun Da Vill which was filed for collection due to non-payment has been settled and they have received payment in full in the amount of $39,046.02.
Cowan wrapped up the meeting by telling the trustees that with assistance from the Columbiana County Board of Commissioners and the Columbiana County Land Bank the CIC was able to demolish the buildings at 606 Dresden Ave., the Paul Arrow Building at 520 Market St., and the East Elementary School Building at 500 Maryland Ave.
kgarabrandt@mojonewsnews.com