For more than a year, Scioto County’s economic development efforts have been overshadowed by scandal—the indictments of former Economic Development Director Robert Horton and more recently, Commissioner Bryan Davis. But at Thursday’s commissioner’s meeting, there were signs the county might finally be charting a new path forward.
Reappointing Stability at SOPA
The Southern Ohio Port Authority (SOPA) was left rudderless for months after the Horton scandal. On Thursday, commissioners voted to reappoint Ryan Brown to a full term on the SOPA board.
Brown first stepped in during what Commissioner Scottie Powell called “the middle of a firestorm.” Powell praised Brown’s leadership, saying:
“He’s helping get it back up off the ground. I appreciate his willingness to continue to right the ship over there.”
New Nonprofit on the Horizon
Perhaps the biggest step: commissioners approved an agreement with the law firm Bricker Graydon to help set up a brand-new nonprofit that would guide Scioto County’s economic development going forward.
Powell explained:
“A couple weeks ago we had a group of individuals stand up and say they were willing to help reimagine economic development in this county. This is one of those steps.”
The nonprofit doesn’t exist yet. Bricker Graydon will draft the bylaws and framework, with help from Shawnee State University President Eric Braun, who is helping fund the startup costs.
Powell said the idea is to shift economic development away from being purely commissioner-driven and put it into the hands of the wider community.
The Numbers
- The county currently spends $209,000 a year on salaries for economic development staff, not including benefits or building costs.
- Commissioners approved an intent to support the new nonprofit with $150,000 once it’s up and running.
- That money is not being handed out yet but will help fund a new job leader once the nonprofit is formed.
Commissioner Merit Smith emphasized:
“The commissioners aren’t giving the money now, just stating how much we’d be willing to contribute once the nonprofit gets off the ground.”
The Shadow of Scandal
This all comes while the board is still down one member. Commissioner Bryan Davis is on voluntary paid leave while awaiting trial on corruption charges. The Republican Central Committee is expected to appoint a temporary replacement soon, but for now, Powell and Smith are handling county business as a two-man board.
The Horton case, meanwhile, remains stalled, pushed back again until November 19.
What It Means
For the first time since the Horton raid left Scioto County’s economic development in chaos, there’s a concrete plan to restructure how the county does business.
It’s early days—the nonprofit isn’t even formed yet—but commissioners hope this approach will restore confidence after years of bad headlines.