 From the Desk of Executive Director Misty Casto:
Forty years ago, leaders in the region had the foresight to establish Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District. Serving more than 255,000 consitutents in Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington Counties, the organization is a strong, viable community partner.
Whether reaching out to the region's aging in need of in-home assistance, providing communities with planning and grant writing support, or serving as advocates on the state and national level, the professionals at Buckeye Hills serve with dedication and compassion.
The Development Division assists communities in securing funding to improve or extend water and sewer service, works to increase access to health care and education, provides gap financing for small businesses to help create and retain private sector jobs, administers state and federal grant and loan funding, and serves as the liaison between state and federal partners and local leaders.
The Area Agency on Aging District 8 continued to provide essential services to the nearly 48,000 residents who are ages 60-plus and to plan for the growth of this demographic as the Baby Boomers continue to age.
With grassroots support from county and community leaders and volunteers, Buckeye Hills continued its proactive advocacy efforts defending funding for rural development and aging programs and promoting regional interests at state and federal levels.
With 40 years behind us and great expectations before us, the road ahead for Buckeye Hills will continue to build on the foundation of fostering cooperative efforts in regional planning, implementing regional plans and building a better quality of life for the residents we serve. We look forward to continued partnerships with each of you.
Misty Casto
Executive Director
| |
|
|
|
1968-2008: Celebrating 40 Years of Regional Service
40th Semi-Annual Dinner & Celebration: Tuesday, April 29 at the Marietta Country Club.
Buckeye Hills- Executive Directors
Gerald G. McComb 1969-1970
John H. Beasley 1971-1974
Thomas A. Closser 1974-1997
C. Boyer Simcox 1997-2007
Misty Casto 2007-Present |
| Buckeye Hills Attends Ohio Transportation Forum
Representatives from the Buckeye Hills Development staff attended the Ohio Transportation Leadership Forum in March where U.S. Senator George v. Voinovich (R-OH) and James G. Beasley, Director, ODOT spoke on issues facing Ohio and the nation.
 Voinovich shared that Ohio has the 10th largest highway system (4th largest in terms of interstates) with the 5th highest traffic volume. In addition, Ohio has the 2nd largest number of bridges across the nation.
"We must develop an infrastructure of competitiveness in a global economy," said Voinovich. Senator Voinovich will serve as the Ranking Member for the 2009 Reauthorization of the nation's highway, saftey and transit process (SAFETEA-LU) with a goal of $3.7 Billion for funding. He noted that Washington needs to hear from Ohio and for regions to communicate the seriousness of our transportation challenges. Voinovich also sponosored the National Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2007 to ensure that Congress has a realistic report of the state of the nation's infrastructure to present to the new President in 2009.
Jack Schenendor, Vice-Chairman of the National Surface Trasportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission presented findings from the national report and Brian Pallasch of The American Society of Civil Engineers presented its Report Card for America's Infrastructure. The nation received grades from C+ to D- with an estimated investment of $1.6 Trillion needed. The Top 3 Infrastructure Concerns for Ohio included roads, schools and bridges.
-
25% of Ohio's bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.
-
Ohio has 462 high hazard dams. A high hazard dam is defined as a dam whose failure would cause a loss of life and significant property damage. The rehabilitation cost for Ohio's most critical dams is estimated at $384.7 million.
-
Ohio's drinking water infrastructure needs $4.95 billion over the next 20 years.
-
Ohio has $8.72 billion in wastewater infrastructure needs.
-
76% of Ohio's schools have at least one inadequate building feature.
-
83% of Ohio's schools have at least one unsatisfactory environmental condition.
How Can You Help?
Regions will need to increasingly work together to make the political case for funding transportation and infrastructure needs in lieu of other discretionary funding demands.
Gaining a better understanding of the nation's Regional Planning Organizations. These groups are forums for local input on transportation issues in non-metropolitan areas.
|
News from Around the Disrict...
 Rep. Charlie Wilson Visits RegionU.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson (D-6th District) visited residents in Monroe, Noble and Perry Counties to share details, especially with Senior Citizens and Veterans, regarding the process to apply for Economic Stimulus payments. Buckeye Hills' Asst. Exec.Director Rick Hindman visited with Wilson when he was in Monroe County. The Area Agency on Aging is also working to ensure seniors across the region are aware of what they need to do to access their stimulus payments.
Ohio Senator Joy Padgett and Ohio Rep. Jimmy Stewart Visit Buckeye Hills
 Ohio Senator Joy Padgett (R-20th District) and Ohio Representative Jimmy Stewart (R-92nd District) took time from their busy schedules to meet with Buckeye Hills' Executive Director Misty Casto and staff for a review of current and future projects and pertinent statewide issues.
Ohio Rep. Jennifer Garrison Visits Buckeye Hills
 Ohio Representative Jennifer Garrison (D-93rd District) visited with Buckeye Hills' Executive Director Misty Casto and staff to learn more about current and future projects and how she may be of additional support to the district.
Appalachia Ohio Energy Applications In Process
Buckeye Hills submitted three Energy Project applications for funding consideration by the Applachian Regional Commission.
In 2006, the Appalachian Regional Commission released Energizing Appalachia: A Regional Blueprint for Economic and Energy Development, to provide a strategic framework for the promotion of new energy-related job opportunities throughout the Appalachian Region. Approved by the governors of the 13 Appalachian states and the ARC federal co-chair, the blueprint was developed in response to the changing energy supply, policy, and use environment.
In developing the blueprint, the Commission created an energy advisory council made up of one energy expert from each of the 13 Appalachian states, local development district representatives, and two federal representatives. Members of this group used their expertise, ideas, and experience, as well as the information gathered by ARC, to develop regional energy strategies and identify opportunities for ARC and its member states to address the changing energy market environment.
The Commission has identified three basic strategic objectives for the Region:
- Promote energy efficiency in Appalachia to enhance the Region's
economic competitiveness.
- Increase the use of renewable energy resources to produce
alternative transportation fuels, electricity, and heat.
- Support the development of conventional energy resources,
especially advanced clean coal, in Appalachia to produce alternative transportation fuels, electricity, and heat. Grants of up to $40,000 will be provided to assist communities who are interested in pursing energy related activities that meet at least one of the three strategic objectives of the Energizing Appalachia Blueprint that has been adopted by the ARC.
Feburary Ohio Unemployment Rates
Ohio's unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in February, down from 5.5 percent in January, according to data released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The U.S. unemployment rate for February was 4.8 percent. In the region:
Athens: 5.9%
Hocking: 7.5%
Meigs: 10.7%
Monroe: 8.9%
Morgan: 11.1%
Noble: 7.9%
Washington: 5.9% |
| Funding Updates
Appalachian Regional Commission Grants
Applications for the next round of Appalachian Regional Commission grants will be going out in late April or early May. For details, contact the Buckeye Hills Development Team at 740-374-9436.
BH-HVRDD 2008 PRIORITIES: In addition to meeting an ARC Goal and State Strategy, ARC projects considered for funding in the BH-HVRDD must meet one of the following priority areas:
1) Create and/or retain private sector jobs in the District
2) Extend or upgrade water or sewer service to residents
3) Provide quality health care to residents of the District
4) Provide job skills training to residents of the District
NOTE: Projects recommended for ARC funding by BH-HVRDD must have ALL matching funds committed.
Ohio Job Ready Sites (JRS) Application for Grant Assistance Deadline: May 15
The application for grant assistance and scoring sheets are now available. The JRS program is a key element of Ohio's economic development strategy. Through this program, the state partners with local communities and the private sector to ensure Ohio has an inventory of buildings and sites ready for development that meet the fast pace schedule of today's business environment.
Applications must be submitted to the appropriate District Public Works Integrating Committee (DPWIC) no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2008.
| |
|
