1 START YOUR BUSINESS HERE. PRIDE. TRADITION. PROGRESS. epohio.org
2 We are excited that you are considering starting and/or growing your business with us here in the Village of East Palestine. East Palestine, pronounced (/pæləˈstiːn/PAL-ə-STEEN), iis located in northeastern Columbiana County, Ohio on the state’s border with Pennsylvania. The village is just one mile south of Route 14, and is within easy driving distance to Youngstown (20 miles), Pittsburgh (40 miles) and Canton (50 miles). The town was founded in 1828 by Thomas McCalla and William Grate and was initially known as Mechanicsburg. It was incorporated as a city in 1875 and was renamed “East Palestine” as part of a switch to religious nomenclature for communities in that area at that time, such as New Galilee, Enon Valley and Salem. INTRODUCTION According to the United States Census Bureau, East Palestine has a total area of 3.15 square miles. Coordinates: 40°50′21″N 80°32′48″W Canton 76 76 77 376 79 279 225 680 11 7 62 14 Pittsburgh Youngstown 80 OHIO PENNSYLVANIA
3 History The 19th century saw the rise of industry in the region, particularly with the discovery of coal and the development of the railroad. The availability of natural resources and transportation infrastructure attracted industries, and the production of ceramics, including pottery and porcelain and automobile tires contributed to the town’s economic prosperity. Like many industrial towns in the United States, East Palestine faced challenges with the decline of traditional manufacturing industries in the latter half of the 20th century. Changes in consumer preferences, globalization, and economic shifts led to the closure of many pottery factories and other businesses. Today, East Palestine is a small city with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas. Derailment On February 3, 2023, an explosion and fire occurred following the derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying hazardous chemicals on the eastern end of town. This disaster has undeniably set the town back, but its people are resilient and determined to rebuild their community. East Palestine will continue to grow and evolve and turn this negative event into a positive outcome and come back stronger than ever before. Remediation Environmental Results Summary The U.S. EPA provided its Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC) program to compile a report of all the environmental monitoring that was conducted after the derailment and subsequent remediation efforts to determine the safety of the air, soil, surface water, sediments and biological elements. • Air results continue to show minimal detection of airborne VOCs. In general, the air quality is good. • Monitoring of public water supplies (drinking water and groundwater) continues to show that there are no derailment/controlled burn chemicals of concern impacting these sources. • Contaminated soil near the derailment was shipped off site to a hazardous waste landfill. Test results indicate soils in residential and commercial areas are safe. • Surface water, sheen and sediment sampling took place next to the derailment and along streams that may carry polluted materials toward drinking water supplies. More results have become available since TASC’s October 2023 environmental data review report. Results indicate that the streams are recovering to pre-derailment conditions, although occasional sheen may be present. More clean up of the stream bed is planned. • Soils information continues to be made available to the public. Results indicate that soils in residential and commercial areas are safe. • Biological samples of fish show signs of recovery to pre-derailment conditions. Crops do not contain any detectable levels of derailment-related SVOCs. HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE To review the TASC report, visit epohio.org/wp-content/uploads/ TD-R5-3.4.14-East-Palestine-Env.-Data-Update-Fact-Sheet-6-21-24-final_508.pdf
• Small-town atmosphere • Close knit-community • People want to live and work here • Nice neighborhoods • Safe - very low crime – well below national avg. • Above average home ownership • Poverty rate below nation, state and peers • Walkable • Low cost of living – property prices, taxes • City Park is a unique asset • Outdoor recreation opportunities – trail from park to lake • Culture of taking care of one another • Tax advantages to attract PA shoppers and homeowners • Positioned between Pittsburgh, Youngstown, and Canton • Lower property, sales and business taxes than Pennsylvania EAST PALESTINE’S BEST ASSETS East Palestine Crime Rate Violent Crime Your area has 0.81 violent crimes per 1,000 people. The national rate is 3.59 per 1,000 people. Property Crime Your area has 6.38 property crimes per 1,000 people. The national rate is 17.8 per 1,000 people. Source: DataUSA 0.81/1,000 USA 6.38/1,000 USA Small Business Loans Valley Partners valleyedp.com OMEGA omegadistrict.org Counseling/Classes/ Business Plans/Interns/ Technology Small Business Development Center (SBDC) ysu.edu/academics Valley Partners valleyedp.com Youngstown Business Indicator ygi.org Manufacturing Support and Services MAGNET manufacturingsuccess.org Mahoning Valley Manufacturing Coalition mahoningvalleymfg.com Available Incentives for Job-creating Capital Investments in Eligible Business Sectors Columbiana County Port Authority ccpa-ohioriver.com Lake to River laketoriverohio.org WHAT CAN THE VILLAGE OFFER YOUR NEW BUSINESS? Available Incentives for Job-creating Capital Projects Here in the Village of East Palestine, we are committed to assisting our business community as well as our residents in any way we can. To that end, we have assembled the following information that we hope will be of use to you as you plan for your business. Small Business Resources Visit these websites for valuable information and resources for your small business. Learn more at epohio.org
5 Community Reinvestment Area Tax Exemption The Village of East Palestine has a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) that can provide temporary property tax exemptions on the value of new residential, commercial and industrial buildings, new building improvements (renovations, additions), and new site improvements. Businesses must make an application for the tax exemption prior to starting construction. The tax exemption on improvements can last up to 15 years, depending upon project details. Learn more by contacting the Village at (330) 426-4367. Gap Financing Programs Ohio offers multiple loans to bridge the gap between what a bank will loan and what a project needs. HERE ARE SOME OPTIONS IN EAST PALESTINE: SBA 504 Loan Finance up to 40% of project land, building and equipment costs, capped at $5 million. The business must create 1 job for every $75,000 borrowed or $125,000 for every manufacturing job created. Regional 166 Loan For real estate and equipment in manufacturing, distribution, tech and other sectors. (Restaurants, retail, hospitality and service businesses generally ineligible). The 166 Loan can finance up to 45% of project costs, capped at $500,000. Loans will also be capped at $100,000 per job to be created. Valley Partners Revolving Loan Funds Various programs exist. Some can finance working capital in addition to real estate and equipment. Eligibility and financing terms will vary by loan source. OMEGA Revolving Loan Funds – OMEGA can finance fixed assets and working capital at generally below market rates. Learn more at valleyedp.com/compare or omegadistrict.org/programs/businessdevelopment/rlf/ Job Creation Incentives Companies in the JobsOhio Target sectors (typically manufacturing, distribution or high tech) can be eligible for grants, loans, state tax credits and training assistance. Projects must involve a new capital investment and net new job creation in Ohio. Projects must also involve a competitive location decision where Ohio is competing with another state. Lake to River is the JobsOhio Regional Network Partner that can assist in accessing these programs. Learn more at (330) 886-8973 or laketoriverohio.org Columbiana County Port Authority Bond Financing The Columbiana County Port Authority (CCPA) is the lead development entity for Columbiana County. As a port authority, CCPA has the ability to offer industrial development bond financing for eligible, credit-worthy projects. Bond financing can offer long-term, fixed rate, and slightly below market financing. Tax advantages may also be possible. Not every project will qualify. Strict underwriting requirements will apply. For more information, contact the Columbiana County Port Authority at (330) 424-1800 or go to ccpa-ohioriver.com. ECONOMIC INCENTIVES
6 EP VIP Shopper Club To boost our economy and help support local businesses, we launched the EP VIP Shopper Club. Membership is FREE to receive discounts from participating businesses. The program is also free for businesses to join and they choose the discount they offer shoppers, be it a specific dollar amount or a percentage off a purchase. It could also be a special offer or package deal created just for the program. Shoppers who visit your store for the deal typically spend more. FREE PARTICIPATION Sign up and you will be contacted to be vetted and receive your EP VIP Shopper Club Kit. Approved vendors will be given window clings, posters, a point of purchase display to show that you are a participating business. You will also receive a supply of cards to hand out to customers that would like a physical card. Your deal, discount or special offer will be featured on the EP VIP Shopper section of the epohio.org website along with your business. FREE ADVERTISING Get more for less. The Village of EP will be spreading the word with billboards, television and social media advertising that will drive traffic to your store at no cost to you. So Let’s Get Shopping And Saving Together. It’s a WIN-WIN to bring customers back to the Village of East Palestine and for savvy VIP shoppers to get deals on the local goods and services they need. Regional Market Demographic within 5-miles Radius of East Palestine Population 12,908 Median Age 44.1 Total Households 5,304 RACE % White (non hispanic) 95.48% Multi-race (non Hispanic) 1.7% Hispanic 1.5% Black (non hispanic) 0.92% Other 0.37% EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT % < Grade 9 188 1.5% Grade 9-12 703 5.4% High School 3,933 30.5% Some College 1,526 11.8% Assoc Degree 924 7.2% Bach Degree 1,312 10.2% Grad Degree 701 5.4% TOTAL NUMBER OF HOUSING % Total Dwellings 5,845 n/a Owner-Occupied Dwellings 4,107 77.43% Renter-Occupied Dwellings 1,197 22.57% Housing Units Occupied 5,304 n/a HOUSEHOLD INCOME DISTRIBUTION Income Households % <$10 K 129 2.43% $10-$20K 371 6.99% $20-$30K 395 7.45% $30-$40K 515 9.71% $40-$50K 651 12.27% $50-$60K 380 7.16% $60-$75K 617 11.63% $75-$100K 778 14.67% > $100K 1,468 27.68% REGIONAL MARKET PROFILE
7 OHIO PENNSYLVANIA East Palestine Park East Palestine High School 165 165 14 Source: Applied Geographic Solutions, August 2024 Work Force Profile within 5-miles Radius of East Palestine TOTAL EMPLOYEES BY OCCUPATION % Executive, Managers, and Administrators 229 8.92% Protective Services 85 3.31% Farming, Forestry, and Fishing 11 0.43% Business and Financial Operations 98 3.82% Computer and mathematical occupations 33 1.29% Architecture and engineering 36 1.4% Life/Physical/Social Science occupations 16 0.62% Community and Social Services 55 2.14% Legal 25 0.97% Education/Training/Library 113 4.4% Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners 81 3.15% Health Technologists/ Technicians 54 2.1% Healthcare support 65 2.53% Food Preparation/Serving 124 4.83% Building and Grounds maintenance 59 2.3% Personal care and service 29 1.13% Sales 290 11.29% Office and Administrative support 298 11.6% Construction and Extraction 96 3.74% Installation/Maintenance and Repair workers 134 5.22% Production Workers 270 10.51% Transportation Workers 139 5.41% Material Moving 198 7.71% EMPLOYMENT PROFILE
8 USA Ohio East Palestine Columbiana Lisbon East Liverpool Population 331,449,281 11,799,448 4,761 6,559 2,597 9,958 Median Age 39.0 39.9 39.8 48.5 39.4 37.6 Bachelor’s Degree or higher 35.7% 32.0% 11.5% 33.2% 15.5% 7.7% Median Household Income $74,755 $65,720 $44,498 $44,128 $45,208 $32,722 Poverty Rate 12.6% 13.4% 9.1% 9.2% 25.5% 29.0% Home ownership 65.2% 67.3% 67.8% 64.2% 60.9% 52.9% Median Property Value $320,900 $159,900 $89,900 $148,500 $98,100 $59,600 Source: Data from the Census Bureau ACS 5-year Estimate, DataUSA VILLAGE DEMOGRAPHIC COMPARISON TO PEERS VILLAGE RESIDENT WORKERS BY SECTOR PREDOMINANTLY EMPLOYED IN 329 Manufacturing 220 Retail Trade 194 Health & Social Assistance 27.2 MIN Avg. Commute Time 1,860 Employed Residents 17.7% Manufacturing 7.96% Health Care 3.12% Wholesale Trade 4.3% Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 7.96% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 1.24% Social Assistance 3.12% Information 6.34% Finance & Insurance 11.8% Retail Trade 2.9% Public Administration 4.3% Other Services (except Public Administration) 7.85% Transportation & Warehousing 7.96% Administrative & Support & Waste Management Services 2.8% Construction 3.82% Utilities 6.88% Accommodation & Food Services
9 EMPLOYMENT SECTORS VS. NATIONAL AVERAGE Workers Living in East Palestine Zip Code Above Average • Government • Manufacturing • Services Below Average • Healthcare • Accommodation & food services • Construction • Professional/scientific/technical • Finance/insurance Source: Data from the Census Bureau ACS 5-year Estimate, DataUSA Largest Industries Industry Jobs Accommodation and Food Services Education Services Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Finance and Insurance Management of Companies and Enterprises Construction Wholesale Trade Transportation and Warehousing Other Services (except Public Administration) Retail Trade Health Care and Social Assistance 0 100 200 400 600 300 500 700 Manufacturing Government National Average
10 Work Location/Zip Code Number % East Palestine (44413) 309 28.5% New Waterford (44445) 88 8.1% Columbiana (44408) 85 7.8% Salem (44460) 56 5.2% East Liverpool (43920) 52 4.8% Leetonia (44431) 34 3.1% Lisbon (44432) 32 3.0% Negley (44441) 24 2.2% Struthers (44471) 24 2.2% Poland (44514) 21 1.9% All Other Locations 358 33.1% All Zip Codes 1,083 100.0% Village Corporate Limits 223 20.6% WHERE EMPLOYED EAST PALESTINE RESIDENTS WORK BEAVER LAWRENCE MAHONING COLUMBIANA 2020 Census Work Location by Zip Code
11 East Palestine FEB 2020 $135K $119K $104K $89K AUG 2020 FEB 2021 AUG 2021 FEB 2022 AUG 2022 FEB 2023 AUG 2023 FEB 2024 AUG 2024 TRAFFIC COUNTS & HOUSING MARKET Housing Prices Continue to Rise Based upon sales, which is a 4% increase Listed for sale in August of 2024 Average Daily Traffic Counts Source: ODOT Traffic Information Mapping System, Sept. 2024 Unity Twp State Route 14 E. Taggart St. Leslie Run Sulphur Run N. Market St. Hunston Rd. Brookdale Ave. 14 46 165 SR 170 2,686 E. Taggart St. 3,259 SR 46 2,490 SR 14 9,085 N. Market St. (SR 165) 5,784 N. Market St. (SR 165) 4,556 $131,719 Typical Home Value 20 Homes Source: Zillow, September 2024
PRIDE. TRADITION. PROGRESS. 85 North Market St. East Palestine, OH 44413 330-426-4367 epohio.org
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