EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - In part of an effort to bring developments to East Palestine after the train derailment, new businesses are coming into the village in 2026.

The East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) bought multiple properties in the community. There are now plans underway to fill those plots.

Antonio Diaz-Guy, East Palestine village manager, told 21 News a Chinese restaurant is being renovated for future developments, and two different businesses are expected to open their doors in East Palestine in the summer.

One of the businesses opening in 2026 will be on the lot along North Market Street where the former PNC building sits.

Diaz-Guy said both the building being demolished and the one being renovated were outdated. These projects are being coordinated by the CIC.

“There has been a lot that's happened, and we just really are excited to see something start to come to fruition,” said Chris Page, president of the East Palestine CIC.

Members of the CIC are speaking with tenants interested in bringing businesses to their properties.

The CIC board gave the green light to negotiate final lease terms with a tenant interested in the former PNC building lot Monday morning.

“The demolition of the building, that's the current building, will be happening within the next month, and from there, we will start to have the building built for the new tenant that's going to be hopefully done sometime end of summer,” said Page.

What business will go on the plot of land, and who is signing a lease for the property has not been announced,  but Page said he's expecting an announcement on what business is coming to the lot in the near future.

Just down the street sits the East Palestine Depot, a historical train station renovated and paid for by Norfolk Southern. The CIC is in talks with someone interested in starting a rail-side restaurant on the property. 

There are also plans for a green space that would be used for community events. 

“There's also green space that will be used for the public and so there will be, we look to host community events there, in addition to events that the tenant is going to put on for this space,” said Page.

Page is encouraging other businesses to open shop in the village.

“If you're someone that is a business owner, we would love for you to come down and be a part of our rejuvenation project here. So there are a lot of great new businesses that will be coming to town here soon, in addition to the staples that we've had in the community for many years,” said Page.

The developments are part of the CIC plaza project. Since its formation in March 2024, the East Palestine CIC has been working to improve the village's image.