ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Crystal Lorimor, executive director of the Community Improvement Corporation of Belmont County (CIC), recently returned from Detroit where she presented at the Brownfields 2023 national conference.

She presented the story of Bellaire and how they are using their Vision Plan and Brownfield Inventory as a catalyst for change. It was part of “Small Communities, Big Solutions” that she co-presented with Roxanne Anderson, brownfield coordinator from the Ohio EPA, Erin Brittain, Brownfields program manager from WV DEP, and Anne Cavalier, Mayor of Smithers, WV.

“It was a great honor to receive the call and invitation to tell the story of Bellaire,” explained Lorimor. Audience members included people from all over the country, representing local, state, and federal organizations. “As soon as we finished our presentation and opened it up to questions, someone from the audience raised their voice and said, ‘Please come back in a couple years and give us an update!’, so that was exciting,” Lorimor said. “The people of Bellaire should be proud of the work they are doing and, even though it’s hard and a slow process, I hope they realize they are inspiring other communities.”

The CIC and the Ohio EPA lead the 2020 Vision Plan for Bellaire which has resulted in over $700,000 additional dollars so far being brought into Bellaire for assessments and improvements. “I am continuing to submit projects for funding,” explained Lorimor. “I’m fortunate to work with great people in this community who work right beside me on these projects. That includes business owners, church leaders, the school district, and mayor. They are fighting to bring back their village, and I’m proud to help in whatever way I can.”