LISBON — The promotion of tourism in Columbiana County is now part of a regional effort to bring visitors to the Ohio Foothills region known as Appalachian Ohio, which includes Columbiana County and nine other counties.

“We’re trying to increase tourism,” Columbiana County Visitors Bureau Vice Chairman Ginger Grilli said.

Members of the county Visitors Bureau, including Grilli, former Chairman Tad Herold and Secretary/Treasurer Eileen Dray-Bardon updated county commissioners recently on their activities and the county’s inclusion in the new regional tourism brand known as Ohio Foothills.

According to a press release, Ohio Foothills “launched to market a multi-county area of east-central Ohio as a unified travel destination, showcasing the region’s rolling landscapes, rich history, outdoor recreation, and small-town charm.”

The Ohio Foothills region includes: Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Muskingum, and Tuscarawas counties.

“Through a shared vision to increase visitor awareness, encourage longer stays, and strengthen tourism-driven economic development, the Ohio Foothills project was made possible through grant funding from the Governor’s Office of Appalachia (GOA) and the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA),” the press release said.

According to the press release, “Ohio Foothills connects travelers and new residents to a region where small towns tell big stories, inviting people to wander freely, experience authentic local life, and plant roots in a place that feels like home. The initiative envisions the Ohio Appalachian foothills as a vibrant, welcoming destination known for its rich history and strong sense of community, drawing families, innovators, and trailblazers to explore, contribute, and build lasting roots.

The Ohio Foothills brand will be used as a promotional tool for all of the member counties through the website and other social media avenues, digital marketing, storytelling campaigns and materials.

Visit www.visitohiofoothills.com to learn more about Ohio Foothills. The website includes a link to the Columbiana County Visitors Bureau at www.visitcolumbianacounty.com which features information about what’s happening in Columbiana County, historic covered bridges, culture, recreation, shopping, hospitality, and festivals.

According to the mission statement on the visitcolumbianacounty.com website, the Columbiana County Visitors Bureau “was formed in 2020 to promote visitor experiences which enhance our community’s economic and social well-being. Our initial goals are to ensure that we collect information about all tourism-related businesses and events in the county, invite those organizations and events to become members, and execute marketing projects which our members believe will help us communicate the tourism opportunities found in Columbiana County to residents and visitors alike.”

Herold said the county Visitors Bureau has the ability to update the county’s information on the Ohio Foothills website. He said there’s an interest in drawing people from Pennsylvania over to Ohio through the joint marketing via Ohio Foothills.

Plans call for building a page for the county Visitors Bureau website regarding America 250 events in the county.

The county commissioners gave the county Visitors Bureau $20,000 that has been used for social media, marketing and billboards to promote tourism in the county, Herold explained. The Ohio Foothills project was covered by a grant.

Erich Offenberg is the new chairman of the county Visitors Bureau, but was unable to attend the commissioners’ meeting.