This month, we travel to one of the southernmost points in Ohio as we showcase Ironton in our second #OHCommunitySpotlight thread of 2022.

Not on Twitter? The thread is available online, as well as below.

Greater Ohio Policy Center Read on Twitter

This month’s #GOPCThread is dedicated to the City of Ironton, established in 1849, & county seat of Lawrence County. Ironton is in Ohio’s Appalachian region along the Ohio River; its population is over 11K: #OHCommunitySpotlight

Part of Wayne National Forest is in Ironton. The forest’s Ironton Ranger District is located in Lawrence, Scioto, Gallia, & Jackson counties; it spans 107,090 acres. It offers camping, cabins, horse riding, OHV riding, water activities, & more. #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight

Like a number of river towns, Ironton is part of a multi-state metro, with residents working, shopping, and playing in Kentucky and West Virginia. #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight

The beautiful Ironton-Russell Bridge carries many Ironton residents into KY and KY residents into Ironton. The gorgeous bridge opened in 2016, replacing an old bridge that carried over 10K vehicles per day: #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight

The beautiful Ironton-Russell Bridge carries many Ironton residents into KY and KY residents into Ironton. The gorgeous bridge opened in 2016, replacing an old bridge that carried over 10K vehicles per day: #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight

.@ohiou Southern in Ironton provides higher ed opportunities for local students who want to stay in their community for college. It started in 1956 by offering classes @ Ironton H.S. & developed its campus starting in the 80s #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight

In 2021, the City of Ironton began focusing on improving parks, including partnering w/Ironton in Bloom, a local nonprofit, & others to build an ADA-accessible fishing pier along the creek across from a local park: #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight

Ironton in Bloom strives to make Ironton a destination community, where ppl can live, work, play & visit. It supports improvements in Ironton, like landscaping; heritage preservation; community involvement; & environmental awareness, among others #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight

The city invested $120K in 2021 to improve Friends Park in Ironton’s downtown with hopes to catalyze more investment around it & attract people year round. 1 new business, The Shakery, already opened: #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight

Lawrence County Land Bank, which started in 2016, supports the City of Ironton & other communities by helping demolish vacant, blighted, tax-delinquent properties & bring the land up to construction grade for resale: #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight

Recently, Ironton saw big development investments, like the $16M TownePlace Suites by Marriot in Ironton’s “Gateway District.” The 109-room hotel sits on 1.7 acres in an area targeted for economic development; it is 1 of 2 hotels there #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight

Local leaders see the city’s proximity to Wayne Natural Forest as a competitive advantage. They are working to develop eco-tourism and outdoor sports facilities to attract out of town “weekend warriors,” as an economic development strategy. #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight

Annually .@irontonrallyontheriver, attracts 30K+ motorcycles from across the US. The 3-day event includes live music, car & bike shows, beer gardens, & more. It is 1 of the busiest times for small businesses & positively impacts the local economy #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight

Keep up the good work in Southern Ohio, Ironton! Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more #GOPCThread & #OHCommunitySpotlight