Columbiana Co. gets into business group

By D.A. Wilkinson

A computer program will help analyze businesses.

LISBON — The Columbiana County commissioners have joined a program to streamline help for local businesses.

The new program will help businesses find what they want or need in the way of grants, technology, workers and other issues, said Jessica A. Borza, chief operating officer of the One Stop Program in Columbiana County.

The One Stop Program was designed to help individuals find jobs by sending them to one location.

The new program will send businesses to the One Stop facility, 7860 Lincole Place.

The program also will include Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

Borza told the commissioners Wednesday that people with development projects in the past were referred to agencies or officials who wanted to help but didn’t know where to find the appropriate aid.

Borza said the new program is designed to help businesses “tap into one source.”

The project is called The Business Resource Network. A Web site, www.thebrn.net, is up but not complete. The program was unveiled in early May. The entire program is to begin later this month.

Borza said the network includes the same organizations and agencies that have been involved in economic projects.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce has joined the program, since it helps with development projects in that city.

The effort to help should solve another problem, Borza added. Public officials have seen development ideas evaporate, often because a proposal lacked money or people with the needed skills.

Borza said the statewide program will be using the Synchronist Business Information System. It will take information from interviews with company officials and use the program to determine the strengths and weaknesses of a project.

“It will help those in need,” Commissioner Penny Traina added.

The commissioners agreed not to release any confidential information about a company’s finances.

The state plans to use the Synchronist program for at least three years.

Two workers have been hired locally to work with companies that are seeking help or other advice.

wilkinson@vindy.com