STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — Steubenville leaders are looking to healthcare, higher education and downtown redevelopment as part of a broader effort to attract businesses, create jobs and strengthen the city’s population.
During Tuesday’s Steubenville City Council meeting, Mayor Ralph Petrella discussed a recent meeting with 4th Ward Councilman Royal Mayo and the CEO of WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center. According to Petrella, WVU Medicine already has a presence in Steubenville and has expressed interest in expanding its operations in the city.
Petrella said the potential expansion comes as UPMC moves forward with its takeover of Trinity Health System. Once that transition is completed, he said Steubenville could have two university-affiliated healthcare systems operating in the city.
WVU Medicine is also planning to work with Steubenville City Schools to introduce students to potential careers in the medical field, according to Petrella.
City leaders see the growth of healthcare and education as potentially becoming a larger part of Steubenville’s identity. Petrella said expanding those sectors could help the city retain current residents while also attracting new residents, businesses and industry.
Economic development efforts are also focusing on downtown Steubenville.
City Manager Michael Johnson told council he recently met with other city officials to discuss ideas for downtown development. Among the topics were ongoing projects connected to the College of Saint Joseph the Worker, potential improvements along the riverfront and efforts to bring new uses to vacant downtown buildings.
Johnson emphasized the connection between economic development, employment and population growth, saying job opportunities are necessary to attract and retain residents while quality housing and neighborhoods are also important pieces of that effort.
The discussions remain part of the city’s broader planning process, with Johnson encouraging officials to continue bringing forward ideas for future development.
For now, city leaders are exploring several avenues for growth rather than relying on a single project, with healthcare, education, downtown redevelopment and the riverfront emerging as key areas of focus.
