CHANGE IN THE AIR — A Youngstown State University flag has been raised at the former Eastern Gateway Community College campus on Sunset Boulevard in Steubenville, one of the changes expected as YSU rebrands the site as its own. -- Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — A small step has been taken in the conversion of Eastern Gateway Community College’s Steubenville campus as a branch of Youngstown State University.

Following their meeting Tuesday, the Jefferson County commissioners announced three former EGCC employees who had remained to monitor and maintain the Steubenville campus are now YSU employees.

The commissioners said the three include a maintenance worker, security guard and information technology specialist whose pay had been covered by the Ohio Department of Education since October.

County Commissioner Eric Timmons said the three had been employed by EGCC prior to the Steubenville campus’ closing on Sept. 30.

In November, the commission approved the transfer of that property to YSU while noting a 57-year-old reverter clause in its deed called for it to be returned to the county’s control should it no longer be used for educational purposes.

The YSU board of trustees agreed to accept the title to the roughly 180,000-square-foot building, its furnishings and equipment and 12.95 acres of the former EGCC campus.

Asked whether any of the 140 faculty members and other staff that had been laid off by EGCC could be rehired also, county Commissioner Jake Kleineke said he couldn’t say for certain.

“My understanding is they want to employ people locally,” he said.

The commissioners noted YSU officials have begun cosmetic changes to the Steubenville site to prepare it for rebranding as a satellite campus.

A YSU flag has been raised alongside the Ohio and U.S. flags flown near its front entrance, while EGCC signs and other markings have been removed.

YSU President Bill Johnson has stated the university will invest $3.6 million in state funds for utilities, maintenance and other startup costs for the site while aiming for a summer opening.

The school had already invited EGCC students to pursue completion of their studies through its main campus.

While the former EGCC building and property on its west side is to be transferred to YSU, the commissioners have made plans to pursue economic development on the east corner lot occupied by a large parking lot once used for the college’s truck driver training program.

County Commissioner Tony Morelli said the national chicken fast food chain Chick-fil-A has expressed interest in the lot, and the commissioners have agreed to have the lot appraised and advertise it for development proposals after Jan. 1.