News & Events

Peter Marx Speaks
Monday, March 29, 2010

Steubenville, Why I came and why I'll stay.

I have read with interest many of the posts here. Based on what I have read, Steubenville is a city alive with concerned citizens and with a lot of ideas for change. I doubt Facebook gives a true picture of a cross section of the population but it certainly gives some views from many different parts of the community. I would say we have a lot of energy to support the improvements that have been made already and to support other needed improvements.

I have been coming to this area on periodic visits for the past 25 years to visit my sister who lives on a diary farm nearby. I have another sister who came to Steubenville to get her master’s degree at Franciscan U. While here she purchased two homes.

I moved my small business here from a large southern city last year because I wanted to be in a friendly smaller city with a future. I could have moved anywhere and I would have been insane to move to city that has no hope and no future. I saw a need in Steubenville for what I could provide and I have not been disappointed in my decision to come here. I like the city, I love the people and I see a bright future ahead.

The city is headed in the right direction and NOT just because of the government. It is because of the people and the businesses who see the possibilities and have a vision for the future. By working in a positive way with the city government we can find solutions to the pressing problems and prioritize solutions to those that are the most pressing and ones that will have the greatest benefit and return.

The SRG, Progress Alliance, Valley Ventures, The Chamber of Commerce and the City government are all organizations I have come to know and work during my first year here in Steubenville. They have all contributed to helping me be a success. However I have been successful mainly because I have worked hard and filled a need in the community. As I grow my business going forward I know I will have the support to all the organizations I have mentioned above and most importantly from the faithful regular customers who have discovered and support my business and the new customers who will come to know me soon.

Steubenville has made great strides in moving forward this past year. If we can make this kind of progress in this down economy I expect things will get significantly better as the economy improves over the next couple of years. The improvements are incremental and small when taken individually but they have added up to a noticeable improvement from my perspective in a short period of time when considered in toto.

Keep the faith Steubenville! I ask all of us as citizens to keep participating in the discussion but remember the old adage: You are either part of the solution or part of the problem. Keep bringing your complaints forward but add in a solution or two along the way as well. To the city fathers I pass along what we use to say during my days in the Army: Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way.

I am looking to build a significant business presence here as I continue to grow over the next 15 to 20 years and I expect in 2025 when we look back on the revival of Steubenville we will peg the start to be 2009/2010.

Peter Marx

Valley Ventures, Inc.
304.748.1525
100 Lee Avenue, Weirton, WV 26062
Lou Stein, Executive Director