Officials expect big things for the northern panhandle

Officials expect big things for the northern panhandle

Ohio County (WTRF) – We’re almost one month into the new year and officials believe Brooke and Hancock Counties have a bright future ahead.

Currently, unemployment is down and investment is up.

The good news doesn’t stop there.

Hancock County recently had the third highest increase in new businesses opening in the entire state.

Meanwhile, the Weirton-Steubenville area was ranked 14th in the nation for the highest increase in construction jobs.

BDC of the Northern Panhandle Executive Director Patrick Ford said this recognition is exciting to hear and it means officials are doing something right.

“I think it reflects the culmination of a lot of collaboration between industry, business, government and all of our partners at the state and federal level. It’s very exiting news for us. We need to keep doing what we’re doing,” Ford said.

Ford said their goals for 2018 are to continue working with companies looking to move into the area, keeping the cost of doing business low and providing a labor force available for new business.

http://www.wtrf.com/news/business/officials-expect-big-things-for-the-northern-panhandle/924228807