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Marshall County Commissioners reviewed the data and information collected by the Marshall County Entrepreneurship Ecosystem program during its first year at their most recent meeting.
Commissioners approved $100,000 in funding for the project, covering a period of three years. The first year was dedicated to research and fact-finding to determine the resources available for entrepreneurs in the county.
Entrepreneurship Ecosystem experts Carrie White and Tara St. Clair reported the data collected within the first year. They received 22 online survey responses to identify current needs and gaps in the county's support system and completed 22 one-on-one interviews with early-stage to early startup entrepreneurs.
Emerging themes identified from these interviews were the need for stronger marketing with resources available in the area, a confusing process to connect with the appropriate person based on need, a lack of support for those wanting to open storefronts and a lack of consistency and availability of known resources to start up a business.
The entrepreneurship ecosystem experts also conducted 10 one-on-one interviews with resource providers in Marshall County to determine the level of availability and assistance of entrepreneurship resources.
Marshall County Administrator Betsy Frohnapfel said the county wanted to "create more opportunities" for entrepreneurs and establish networking opportunities.
"We're trying to come up with ways to connect people based on their needs and create ways to have more support for people who actually want to open a storefront in the county and not just have an online business," Frohnapfel said.
In other business, commissioners unanimously approved a $2,500 local match contribution toward the Belomar Regional Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, which aims to address transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries in Belmont, Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel counties.
Commissioners also approved four vehicle purchases for the Sheriff Department, with all bids submitted from Jim Shorkey Murrysville Chevrolet in Pennsylvania. A 2025 Chevy Tahoe 4WD was purchased for $58,271, and three new 2025 Ford Explorer PIU Police Interceptor Utility vehicles were purchased for $47,448 each.