Shawnee State University is hosting an Intermodal Conference with local and regional leaders to discuss the potential for partnerships to foster economic and community development. Experts on rail transportation and  the Ohio River will discuss the current status and help those present to explore possibilities for future growth.  John Molinaro, who recently was named director of Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth, will be the keynote speaker for lunch. SSU President Rita Morris, State Representative Joe Uecker and State Representative Terry Johnson will be the moderators. At the end of the conference, the moderators will outline an action plan moving forward to capitalize on the assets of Ohio Rail and the Ohio River.

8:45 a.m.    Registration

9:30 a.m.    Welcome – Dr. Rita Rice Morris, President, Shawnee State University

  Mr. David Malone, Portsmouth Mayor

  Mr. Skip Riffe, President, Scioto County Commission

 9:45 a.m.      Introductory Briefing – Presentations by:

Jim Bruce, Bruce Consultants, Atlanta, GA

Strategies for economic development using rail and river

Chris Ingraham, Norfolk Southern Industrial Relations, Columbus, OH

Heartland Corridor and Economic Development

Patrick Donovan, Rahall Appalachian Institute, Marshall University, Huntington, WVA

Ohio River and Economic Development

 10:30 a.m.    Panel Discussion - Ohio River – Moderator, State Representative Terry Johnson

Panelists:         Steve Wells –Scioto County Economic Development

Patrick Donovan-Rahall Appalachian Institute

State Representative Denise Driehaus

Mark Locker-ODOT Maritime Division

Jim Zehringer-ODNR Director

Don Hadsell-local port owner/operator

David Todt—SSU Provost

Buzz Canup-Canup Associates,

 12:00 p.m.     Lunch & Keynote Speaker – John Molinaro, CEO APEG Region for Jobs Ohio

   1:00 p.m.     Working with CSX on Economic Development - Rusty Orben, CSX Headquarters, Jacksonville, FL

   1:15 p.m.     Panel Discussion – Rail – Moderator, State Representative Joe Uecker

Panelists:         Chris Ingraham-Norfolk Southern

Rusty Orben-CSX

Jim Bruce-Facilities Consultant

Steve Schoeny-Icemiller Whiteboard

Jack Pounds-Ohio Chemistry Council

Kevin Johnson-Portsmouth City Council

Bill Dingus-Greater Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

Tom Reiser-Scioto County Commissioner

Matt Dietrich- Ohio Rail Development Commission

  2:45 p.m.      Break

  3:00 p.m.      Panel Discussion - How do We Move Forward?  Moderator, Dr. Morris, SSU

Panelists:         Patrick Donovan-Rahall Appalachian Institute

                                                            Jim Morgan, Insolve

Rep. Terry Johnson

Rep. Joe Uecker

Don Hadsell, Port owner/operator

Tom Worley-OSU South Extension

Tom Reiser, County Commissioner

John Molinaro, CEO APEG

Brenda Haas, Dean, Shawnee State University

                                               Jeff Albrecht

  4:00 p.m.      Summary of Action Steps from Panels – Moderators, Dr. Morris, Rep. Johnson, Rep. Uecker