The Ohio Valley Plaza continues to be a major topic of discussion within our tri-state region. Your new Plaza, plus the existing Ohio Valley Mall, has made Belmont County a retail power center, drawing individuals from a 75-mile radius. Last year, our County, with a population of 68,000, had retail sales of $600 million dollars. Our County personally receives 1.5% of all retail sales through taxation, and last year we received in excess of $9 million dollars which greatly adds to the County's financial well-being.

Robert Forsythe, the Chief Architect of the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, has told me on three different occasions how he marvels at the construction of your Ohio Valley Plaza. From it's massive 3.2 million cubic yards of earth moving with the utilization of dynamic compaction, to the quality design, construction and overall beauty of this project.

During my 10 years as Development Director in Belmont County, Ohio, I have had the privilege of securing numerous quality projects, but no project has been as gratifying or rewarding as the THF Project. This $57 million dollar project, with 30-36 stores now in operation, presently employs more than 1,600 individuals and adds such a quality service to our region.

On behalf of the Belmont County Commission and its Department of Development we thank the THF Corporation for the faith they had in our County and for helping to improve the quality of life within our region. It has been a pleasure to deal with a Corporation who has the ability and integrity of THF Realty.

Donald R. Myers, Director
Department of Development of the Community Improvement Corporation
Belmont County
St. Clairsville, Ohio

Back to Building Community