STEUBENVILLE - Goals for 2010 for the Progress Alliance economic development organization include development of its first strategic plan.

Ed Looman, executive director, gave his annual report for 2009 to the Community Improvement Corp., which oversees the operation of the public-private economic development group, during the CIC's meeting on Tuesday.

Among other goals is finding ways to make up for lost state funding through the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program that was used for marketing efforts to attract business to consider Jefferson County as a place to locate.

Looman said a big part of that will be making sure that the upcoming Best of Jefferson County annual banquet, to be held in March, and the annual Progress Alliance Bridge Invitational golf outing in August become ways to generate funds to maintain the marketing work. The CIC approved a $325,000 budget for Progress Alliance for 2010 during Tuesday's meeting.

The Best of Jefferson County banquet will be held March 29 and will feature keynote speaker Mayor Jay Williams of Youngstown. Nominations are being accepted with nomination forms available at the Progress Alliance office at 630 Market St. or online at www.theburb.org.

Among 2009 achievements Looman cited:

State approval of the expansion of Wildfire Motors at the county industrial park.

The sale of 630 Market St. to Capital Recovery Systems.

Work with British plastics firm Certwood Ltd. on establishing an American presence, based in Jefferson County for its education storage products line.

Being designated as the county's Entrepreneur Hub under the MCBI Regional Incubator program, which includes nine counties.

Work with the Tri-State Partnership, brainchild of Dan Onorato, chief executive of Allegheny County, focusing on development of the Pittsburgh airport corridor with a positive impact on all surrounding areas, including the Northern Panhandle and Jefferson County.

Looman became co-chair of the Columbus to Pittsburgh Corridor committee, seeking to complete a four-lane highway between the two cities, with most of the roads already built. Work to be done includes a 28-mile stretch through Harrison County.

Jefferson-Monroe-Belmont Partnership formation, seeking regional economic cooperation.

Participation in the Power of 32 group, a two-year visioneering process for a 32-county economic region surrounding Pittsburgh. Looman is on the group's steering committee.

Increased presence in the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association and work with the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle on the 3-2-1 campaign, meaning three counties, two states and one goal of building a better future for the area.

Work toward better broadband access across the county through participation with Connect Ohio and the Connecting Appalachia effort.

Discussions on a countywide port authority.

Improvements at the county industrial park, including street lights and the establishment of Signs Limited's new facility.

(Giannamore can be contacted at pgiannamore@heraldstaronline.com.)