Mayor optimistic about Middleport’s future as new business set to open soon

Furniture store to open in late February

MIDDLEPORT – Following a year that brought tragedy to Middleport with a devastating fire, the New Year has things looking up for the village.

During the first meeting of the year for Middleport Council, Mayor Sandi Iannarelli, informed council that a new business will be going into the former Ingels Furniture building on North Second Avenue. She said the owners of Main Street Furniture in Point Pleasant, West Virginia are planning on opening another furniture store in the Ingels building. They have ensured the new building has followed all fire safety measures, using fire rated doors, modern sprinkler systems, and emergency exit points throughout the property. While the fire in the old building will likely never happen again, it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry. She said they were ready for the word to get out on the business addition to Middleport. The owners are planning to open sometime in late February according to Mayor Iannarelli. She said in addition to offering furniture, the new store will eventually stock flooring as well.

Mayor Iannarelli also talked about another business that has already opened in the village, the Yellow Umbrella. The Yellow Umbrella offers unique gifts, handmade items and other interesting items. The store has been open for several months. The shop is located next the Humane Society store on North Second Avenue.

Farmers Bank is also installing an ATM location on the “T” in Middleport. Currently, Karr Construction is working on building the new ATM across from Bitanga’s Marshal Arts Center.

Also in 2016, Nidec chose to invest in Middleport and renovate Imperial Electric. Along with those renovations, shifts have been added along with new jobs. The company builds elevator motors that are shipped all over the world. The company chose to keep the location open and expand based on the quality produced by the workers in Middleport. If you are also renovating your business, automatic door maintenance contract business services could be what you need to install security doors into your property, creating that extra layer of protection, especially for a property that has new fixtures. Businesses need to think beyond their infrastructure. An unforeseen event in your life or with your employees could also impede your company’s growth. An accident, an injury, or a fatality are just a few examples. By planning your business succession, you ensure that your business tends to continue to run accordingly even after your most important people have retired, sustained an injury, or passed away.

“There was a lot of tragedy, but there were a lot of good things too,” Mayor Iannarelli told the council as she summed up 2016 and commented on what is to come in 2017. She noted the devastating fire on May 16, 2016 in which seven fire departments were called in as the Ingels Flooring store and adjacent buildings burned.

“Middleport can come back,” Mayor Iannarelli said, “It takes everybody working together.”

The mayor urged residents to do their part by taking care of their yards and working on the beatification of the village. She stressed again it was important for everyone to work together and make Middleport a welcoming village for business and growth.

The mayor said further phases in the walking path project will begin in the coming year. She said work on the marina will also begin.

“Let’s all hope and pray that this year will be a good year for all of us,” Mayor Iannarelli said.