A one-stop shop for businesses

Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce looking for tenants to fill Market Street building

By PAUL GIANNAMORE, Business editor

STEUBENVILLE - The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce wants 630 Market St. to be known as a comprehensive place for business.

The chamber will hold an open house Wednesday, as well as a private meeting for area government and development organization officials and a Business After Hours event, in hopes of filling vacant office space.

The price runs as low as $4 per square foot on a lease that includes available shared services and amenities.

Alex Marshall, chamber board chairman, said the chamber ultimately would like to see a variety of area economic development agencies, including Progress Alliance, the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission and the Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission, under the same roof with the chamber. The concept would be a one-stop shop for business inquiring about data, available land and incentives for expanding, locating in or staying in Jefferson County.

"During the past year, the chamber tried to sell the building," Marshall said. "Recognizing the economy we are in and several unsuccessful attempts, we have decided to change the strategy to a lease option."

The effort for the marketing includes not only the open house and meeting but also the mailing of 3,000 copies of a brochure targeting businesses in the Jefferson County area that might find the offer of low-cost office space attractive. Radio, television, and print ads will also support the marketing efforts.

Prospective tenants will have the opportunity to discuss the building's features and amenities with Realtor Gary Cain, a longtime chamber investor, who, along with other Realtor member-investors, has become the point man on the leasing.

"The chamber of commerce is definitely the center of business activity in any community," Cain said. "We stepped forward to show we have a good and positive future community in our vision."

Cain said the rates being offered by the chamber "are a tremendous value, at a rate that is almost unheard of."

Pricing detailed in the brochure lists rent as low as $4 per square foot for the lower level, where a maximum of 6,743 square feet is available. The chamber also offers utilities at $2 per square foot for a total of $6 per square foot for the lower level.

The upper level space includes about 2,316 square feet of available space at $5 per square foot with utilities at $2 per square foot. There are three multiple office suites available. Both levels include available kitchen facilities.

In addition, the available shared services include free use of the upper level conference room, a cost-negotiated deal for a receptionist on the upper level, as well as answering and messaging services for upper level tenants. Office equipment and postage would be billed by usage.

Marshall and Cain said the arrangement could be ideal for someone in need of office space that is not occupied every day. Such an office would have its phones answered and messages received by the shared receptionist service, even on days when the office is unoccupied.

In addition, 630 Market St. includes up to 12,000 square feet available in single or multiple office spaces, 46 off-street parking spaces and a recently landscaped outdoor plaza area. The building is within walking distance to the Jefferson County Courthouse, the downtown post office and the Steubenville Municipal Building.

The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce recently embarked on an interior and exterior refreshening of the building, conducted through the services and donations of member-investors including World Radio Telecommunications, Blackburn Painting, Oklok-Criss and Associates, M&M Hardware, Signs Limited, Total Lawn Care, DiGregory's Greenhouse and Garden Center, General Rental, RSV Inc., Morelli Building Supplies, Vapor Jet and the Herald-Star.

Interior painting and cleaning, as well as the exterior painting and the plaza landscaping were among the work performed.

Marshall said the open house will run from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, with the private meeting with area officials to be held at 4 p.m. During the meeting, Marshall said, officials will be briefed on the chamber's recently completed strategic plan, outlining the organization's vision in serving as the leading advocate for business in the area.

"We want to share it with them so they know our mission for business development and retention and provision of member services," Marshall said.

Marshall said the chamber board's vision for 630 Market St. would see the chamber building housing all local economic development agencies under one roof. The chamber purchased the building in the late 1980s. As originally envisioned 20 years ago, the chamber building was to be a place for a variety of nonprofit organizations.

In addition to serving as the chamber's permanent home, it has also housed over the years a variety of community service agencies, including the Jefferson County Chapter of the American Red Cross and Progress Alliance, as well as several businesses. Marshall said in recognition of the chamber's role as a business leader, chamber officials now are focused on revitalizing the building as a business center.

"It's a more realistic approach and follows our clear vision. It can help new businesses get started," he said.

Current chamber tenants include the Community Foundation of Jefferson County and the local Girl Scouts of America office, as well as the Small Business Development Center office operated through Kent State University-Tuscarawas.

Marshall said having the area's economic development agencies under one roof would complement the chamber's services for business.

Wednesday's Business After Hours at the Chamber of Commerce Building will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. RSVP must be made to the chamber at (740) 282-6226.

To schedule an individual appointment to view available office space and the building amenities, call Gary Cain at (740) 266-2246.

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