New to this issue! Data Center Update
The Development Department staff at Buckeye Hills maintains and operates an in-house 'data center' for the region. Its Data Center Update will now be incorporated into the monthly Buckeye HIlls Newsletter.
March Ohio Unemployment Rates
Ohio's unemployment rate was 5.7 percent in March, up from 5.3 percent in Feb., according to data released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
In the region:
Athens: 6.0%
Hocking: 7.6%
Meigs: 10.2%
Monroe: 8.7%
Morgan: 11.2%
Washington: 5.5% |
State & National News
Local & Municipal Government & Urban Revitalization Committee to Study Effectiveness of Government
Regional Councils Have a Voice in Committee Testimony
House Bill 521 would create an Ohio Commission on Local Government Reform and Collabortion to develop recommendations on reforming and restructuring local government in Ohio. This legislation is sponsored by Representatives Larry Wolpert and Larry Flowers, with cosponsors Representatives McGregor, DeWine, Hughes and Stebelton.
On behalf of Councils of Government such as Buckeye Hills, and residents in his region, Chester Jourdan, Jr., Executive Director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, shared the following testimony: "Local governments play a vital role in our state and our constitutions. Generally, citizens are content with the services of their local governments. The Commission needs to recognize that it is also not a one-size-fits-all solution for our very diverse state and that there are many benefits to having different kinds and sizes of communities in Ohio ."
HB 521 could be voted out of committee in early May - we will continue to monitor its progress.
ODOT Announces 21st Century Task Force
The Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force is bringing all Ohioans to the table to explore the broad spectrum of transportation issues facing the state. With your input, we will prioritize how the state balances the movement of people and freight, promotes safety and reduces congestion, creates jobs and encourages responsible growth, helps to build sustainable communities, and links all modes of transportation - connecting highways to rail, aviation, water ports, and transit.
More details at: Transportation For Tomorrow
Governor & Legislative Leaders Announce Bipartisan Economic Stimulus Package
Governor Ted Strickland, Ohio Senate President Bill Harris and Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted announced a $1.57 billion jobs stimulus package that aims to create new jobs while laying the foundation for future economic prosperity.
With the exception of the Clean Ohio program, this bipartisan package will not need to go to the ballot in November, allowing the positive benefits to the state's economy to start almost immediately.
The economic package makes major investments in workforce, infrastructure and new and emerging industries that will spur job creation in Ohio.
New and Emerging Industries:
Bio-based Products: $50 million will help support and grow an industry that aims to produce polymers, plastics and other crucial modern materials out of Ohio-grown crops.
Biomedical: $100 million will help create jobs through spurring a part of Ohio's economy that saves lives and leads to medical advances.
Advanced and Renewable Energy: $150 million will create new jobs by making Ohio a powerhouse of renewable and advanced energy production such as wind, solar and clean coal.
Infrastructure: Logistics and Distribution: $100 million will help spur job creation through investing in infrastructure that can be used to expand and support businesses that move and distribute products. Ohio's central location in the nation makes it a perfect location for a growing logistics and distribution industry.
Local Infrastructure: $400 million will be used to help build important local infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, sewers and water systems.
Clean Ohio Conservation: $200 million will fund the preservation of farmland and greenspace.
Clean Ohio Revitalization: $200 million will help revitalize cities and industrial areas by brownfield clean up and transformation into new residential and business development.
Historic Preservation Tax Credit: $120 million will revitalize historically significant buildings that expand the tax base of the local community.
Workforce:
Higher Education Workforce Initiative: $250 million aims to keep more college-educated Ohioans in the state by linking them with good internships, cooperative education programs and jobs while they earn their degrees. Matched with private sector investments, this will make Ohio a leader in higher education and job creation efforts.
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Celebrating 40 Years of Regional Service
1968-2008
Nearly 150 gathered for the Semi-Annual Dinner & 40th Anniversary Celebration April 29 at the Marietta Country Club.
 John Curtis of Monroe County was honored with The Simcox Leadership Award for his more than 20 years of service. This honor recognizes a current or past Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District Board member, business, community or county leader who exemplifies principles of vision and leadership and commitment to the success of the 8-county region. The award honors the leadership of C. Boyer Simcox who served as Executive Director and as an advocate for our region.
Curtis has served as a Buckeye Hills leader on the Executive Committee, the Personnel Committee and with the Revolving Loan Fund.
"John Curtis is a dedicated volunteer leader with Buckeye Hills," said Executive Director Misty Casto. "Our organization is strengthened by the input of community and business leaders like John. We are pleased that he has committed his time and talents to our district."
Special thanks to all members of the General Policy Council and leaders on the Executive Committee and Appalachian Development Corporation Board.
 2008 Executive Committee at the semi-annual meeting : Front from left: President Bob Daubenmier (Hocking County); Vice Pres., Ron Moore (Morgan County); Treasurer, Sam Cook (Washington County). Second row from left: Fred Shriner (Perry County); Charlie Cowgill (Noble County); Gary Starner (Hocking County);John Curtis (Monroe County); and Sonny Block (Monroe County.) Third row: Jim Sheets (Meigs County) and Dean Cain (Morgan County) Not pictured: Donald Vaughan (Meigs County); Lenny Eliason (Athens County); Paul Wiehl (City of Athens); and Michael Mullen (City of Marietta).
2008 Appalachian Development Corporation Board at the semi-annual meeting include: Front from left: Secretary Misty Casto (Buckeye Hills); Treasurer Joe Matthews (Washington); Vice Pres. Gary Starner (Hocking); Second row: Michael Walsh (Hocking); Sam Cook (Washington); Bob Daubenmier (Hocking); Charlie Cowgill (Noble County);John Curtis (Monroe County). Third row: Rick Hindman (Buckeye Hills); Jim Sheets (Meigs); Ron Moore (Morgan); Fred Shriner (Perry). Not pictured: Lenny Eliason (Athens); Heber Piatt, President (Monroe County). |
| News from Around the District...
Morgan County: ABC Manufacturing Opens in Malta
Buckeye Hills was pleased to be a part of the ribbon cutting ceremony for the 140,000-square-foot building at the Morgan Partnership Growth Complex that will house ABC Manufacturing, including the new Malta Windows and Doors Company. Congressman Zack Space (OH-18); Jeff Shaner, Morgan County's community development director; Morgan County commissioners Dean Cain, Don Reynolds, and Rick Shriver; representatives from North Valley Bank, which financed a large part of the project; Malta Mayor Paul Barkhurst; Malta Council members; and a large crowd were present for the event April 7.  Current employees were on-hand for the ribbon cutting event. The company will eventually hire 200 employees. Shown with Zack Space are Fred Deel, director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia - GOA (left) and owner of ABC Mfg. Wade Bengamin. The GOA's commitment of $250,000 was the largest single commitment made on any one project.
"What a great day for Morgan County and Malta," said Jeff Shaner. "It is a great privilege to stand here. The road to recovery has been a little longer than anticipated."
Washington County: Mondo Polymer Wins EODA "Excellence Award"
 Members of the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance gathered in Walnut Creek April 18 to present Awards of Excellence to organizations across the 16-county region. Mondo Polymer Technologies of Reno was nominated by EODA member Mike Jacoby of the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority. Shown above are Don Myers or EODA, Mike Jacoby, Ron Wesel of Mondo, and Sean Logan of ODNR.
Mondo Polymers, run by CEO Mark Mondo, manufactures products for the transportation industry made from recycled plastics. The company saves 15 million pounds of waste from landfills annually.
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Zack Space Honored with National Development Award
 Morgan County Commissioner Dean Cain and Misty Casto Executive Director, Buckeye Hills present Zack Space with The National Development Organization Assoc. Congressional Partnership Award.
Buckeye Hills honored 18th Congressional District, Congressman Zack Space with the National Association of Development Organization's (NADO) Congressional Partnership Award in April.
The honor recognizes Members of Congress who have demonstrated leadership in promoting regional community and economic development. Space was nominated by the regional development district for his advocacy on behalf of the 23 million people of the nation's Appalachian Region including Ohio.
"In his short time in office, Zack Space been a strong advocate for our rural Appalachian region," said Misty Casto, Executive Director of Buckeye Hills. "From funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission and support of the Appalachian Caucus to rural broadband and economic development, he is focused on helping small communities compete."
Fourteen of the 16 counties in Space's 18th Congressional District are in the Appalachian Region - four (Athens, Hocking, Morgan and Belmont) of which are served by Buckeye Hills. Ohio Economic Development Association Honors Rep. Jennifer Garrison with Distinguished Legislator Award
 Mike Jacoby (left) Director of the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority and Misty Casto (right), Executive Director, Buckeye Hills present Representative Jennifer Garrison (D-93rd District) with the Ohio Economic Development Association's Distinguished Legislator Award.
The Ohio Economic Development Association honored Representative Jennifer Garrison (D-93rd District) at its Legislative Awards event in Columbus in April. OEDA presented Garrison with its Distinguished Legislator Award.
Garrison was recognized for a number of contributions made on the state and local levels including working with ODOT to expedite the disposition of excess property needed for a fast-track multi-million dollar business project in Marietta, was instrumental in the approval of the state historic tax credits for the Colony Theater and for working as a member of the House Utilities Committee to ensure a deregulated electric generation environment does not yield dramatic price spikes for businesses and consumers.
OEDA members the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority (SeOPA) and Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District (BHHVRDD) were at the event honoring Garrison. The award recognizes Members of the Ohio Legislature who have demonstrated leadership in promoting regional community and economic development.
"Jennifer Garrison has been a strong advocate for our region at the state level," said Mike Jacoby, who serves as Vice President of OEDA's Legislative Affairs Committee. "From funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission and support of other economic development projects, she is focused on helping our communities compete. I have worked with Representative Garrison on several projects and have found her to be focused, insightful, determined and aggressive, which is just what we need."
Three of the five counties in Garrison's 93rd House District are in the district served by Buckeye Hills. SeOPA is a statutory agent of Washington County created by the County Commissioners.
Other OEDA Event Highlights:
 The Ohio Economic Development Association also honors Economic Development Volunteers for their work to benefit Ohio's development efforts. From the Buckeye Hills region, Richard "Dick" Sulsberger of Monroe County was nominated and selected as a finalist. He attended the OEDA Awards Program.
 At the Statehouse Atrium on April 3, Lt. Governor Lee Fisher shared with OEDA members and guests updates on Ohio's Economic Stimulus Plan and Department of Development updates. Shown with Community Developer Jeff Shaner of Morgan County is Mark Barbash of ODOD's Strategic Business Investment Division.
EODA Hosts Annual Meeting:
 Sean D. Logan, Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, was the keynote speaker at the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance Annual Meeting April 18 with more than 250 business and community leaders present.
Logan is the 11th person to serve as director of ODNR since the department was formed in 1949. Prior to joining ODNR, he served as president of the board of commissioners in Columbiana County; he had been commissioner there since 2001.
"Ohio's growth is directly connected to the quality of our natural resources," said Logan. "Natural resources conservation and economic development that is wisely and carefully crafted will yield the most progress for the most people for the longest time possible."
U.S. Rep. Zack Space (far right) was honored with the Development District Association of Appalachia Outstanding Congressman of the Year Award. Many state and federal legislators and their staff were also present including Rep. Jennifer Garrison (middle front row) and Senator Joy Padgett (front row right). |
| In Memory of Don Myers
 Don Myers, 65, of Martins Ferry, Ohio, died Friday, April 18. Don was employed as Executive Director of OMEGA, Cambridge, Ohio; former Director of Belmont County Department of Development from 1990-2001; and former employee of the City of Martins Ferry, Director of Development. Don was also President of the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance (EODA - of which Buckeye HIlls is a member).
Our condolences to the Myers family, the staff of OMEGA and the members of EODA. More on Don Myers
Don will be remembered as a colleague, a friend of the region, an advocate for the residents of Appalachia, and a friend. His voice will be missed. |
| Funding Updates
New! The Clean Ohio Assistance Fund
The Clean Ohio Assistance Fund program revised application and policy documents are now available for download on the Urban Development Division website www.odod.state.oh.us/ud/coaf.htm . The Division will begin accepting applications for the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund program beginning July 1, 2008. The revised forms supersede all previous versions. Previous versions submitted to the Urban Development Division will not be accepted.
The Ohio Department of Development and Ohio EPA will be holding a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund Application Training Session on May 22, 2008. The training will include application overview, discussion of changes and additions, tips for a successful application, and a question and answer session. Registration will begin the week of May 5. Questions regarding the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund, please contact Shane Mathey at 614-995-2292 or email at mmathey@odod.state.oh.us.
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.
ARC Announces Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grants
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced the second round of a grants competition to assist Appalachian communities in leveraging renewable-energy and energy-efficiency resources to revitalize their economies. ARC expects to provide eight to ten awards of up to $75,000 each, for a total of $500,000 in awards, to help communities implement these strategies.
Eligible projects should result in the creation of new jobs or businesses in the targeted communities. Nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, and public educational institutions located within the Appalachian Region are eligible to apply. Private, for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.
For more details on applications and criteria, visit: www.arc.gov/energy. The deadline for submission of proposals is June 30. Selections will be announced on July 31.
New! The Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives seeking six regional partners for the Ohio TANF Training Program (OTTP).
The Governor's Office for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (GOFBCI) will select up to six Ohio organizations to serve as regional training partners ("selected applicants") for the Ohio Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Training Program (OTTP). Click here to view the map.
The regional partners will provide training and guidance to smaller and/or newer nonprofit faith-based and community organizations (FBCO) in their designated regions in order to assist those agencies in developing knowledge, skills and infrastructure to fortify their organizational strengths and to build capacity and professionalism. Each regional partner will be required to host regional trainings for FBCOs currently serving or intending to serve TANF-eligible clients. The training will provide information covering seven core competencies for capacity building, including: establishing your organization, human resource and volunteer management, board development, outcomes management, financial management, fundraising, and grant writing. Along with these training courses, the regional partners will provide technical assistance and one-on-one mentoring to requesting FBCOs. The regional partners will also organize and host a recognition ceremony for those FBCOs participating in the training partners' respective regions.
ELIGIBILITY: Ohio 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, Charitable foundations registered with the Ohio Attorney General 3.3 CTA, Ohio universities and colleges. (See RFGA for other eligibility requirements.) AWARD: Up to $100,000
DEADLINE: JUNE 2, 2008 (3:00 P.M.) The applicants' total proposal submissions (both the technical and project budget and required documents) must be received by Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) complete no later than 3:00 p.m., local time on June 2, 2008. Faxes or e-mailed submissions will not be accepted.
Proposals must be addressed to: Office of Contracts & Acquisitions - Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
30 East Broad Street, 31st Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3414
ATTN: RFGA/RLB Unit
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