|
Buckeye Hills to Host OPWC Training
Buckeye Hills will host the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) training on July 17 at the Holiday Inn, Pike St., in Marietta. Two sessions will be available: 10 a.m. - noon and 6- 8 p.m. Reservations are required by July 14. RSVP to Jenny Myers at jmyers@buckeyehills.org
or 740-374-9436.
Buckeye Hills' Revolving Loan Program Receives Additional Federal Funding
With renewed support from The Governor's Office of Appalachian and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to the tune of $250,000, financing options through Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District's Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) will continue to support job growth.
"We received an additional $250,000 to fund loans in our district," said Buckeye Hills' Business Development Coordinator Tina Meunier. "If someone has a plan for a new business or is ready to take their existing business to the next level, the Revolving Loan Program may be the resource they need to make that plan a reality."
RLF loans fill the 'gap' between conventional bank financing, owner equity and the total amount necessary to complete a proposed business project. Eligible activities include: acquiring or improving land and buildings; construction; new machinery or equipment; and working or start-up capital needs.Because one full-time job equivalent (40 hours per week) must be created or retained for every $25,000 of Revolving Loan financing, these loans focus on creating jobs.
"Since its inception, the Buckeye Hills Revolving Loan Fund Program has made 114 loans totaling $6.6 million creating 700 jobs and retaining 760 jobs in our eight counties," said Executive Director Misty Casto.
"The RLF program is one of the primary economic development tools serving small businesses in rural areas. The program has generated $19.4 million in private funds invested in the region with an additional $3.4 million in public funds."
To request a brochure to learn more about terms, rates and the business requirements of Revolving Loan Fund programs, contact Buckeye Hills at 740-376-0360. Buckeye Hills serves Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington Counties.
|
DATA CENTER UPDATE:
May Ohio Unemployment Rates
Ohio's unemployment rate was 6.3 percent in May, according to data released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The U.S. rate was 5.5 percent.
Rates in the region:
Athens: 5.7%
Hocking: 6.5% Meigs: 8.7%
Monroe: 7.3%
Morgan: 8.8%
Noble: 7.0%
Perry: 7.5%
Washington: 4.5% |
| New! Alternative Energy Column
Buckeye Hills will incorporate articles, issues, resources and grant notices related to Alternative or Green Energy topics in this monthly portion of the BH-HVRDD newsletter...
_______________
Regional Representatives Attend "Retooling for Ohio's Advanced Energy Markets"
The Ohio Department of Agriculture organized a workshop to provide economic development professionals with the information to identify companies within their regions with the potential to supply, or already engaged in supplying the advanced energy industry.
Topics included the Market in Ohio for Wind, Solar and other Energy;BioMass; Geothermal; Nuclear and Clean Coal. Information on building advanced energy jobs in Ohio with economic development tools were also discussed as well as discussion on identifying regional resources and companies in the region who might be potential suppliers.
Governor Strickland and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher both spoke. Of the $1.5B economic stimulus package that Gov. Strickland has signed, $150M will be to get Ohio in the "supply chain" of advanced energy. Their goal is to get existing companies around the state to become the supplier of the parts, machinery or equipment that will be needed for the growing advanced energy market.
After all of the topics were discussed, participants were broken up into regional groups. The SE Ohio group was lead by Christi Mash. They made lists of the resources in the region then listed the companies existing in the region who may be interested in finding out more about the advanced energy program.
The next step will be that ODOD will schedule regional meetings and invite companies to attend. Then, interested companies will have a site visit by ODOD to see if it is feasible for them to participate.
Mike Jacoby, CEcD, Executive Director of the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority shared the highlights of what he learned:
" I learned that traditional Ohio manufacturing companies are already successfully transitioning to supply the wind turbine industry. "
"I learned Ohio's advanced and renewable energy portfolio standards are ranked as the third most aggressive in the country, which is getting the attention of green energy companies."
"I learned that wind and solar generation are projected to grow dramatically, but that they account for a very small amount of U.S. power generation currently."
"I learned federal tax credits are scheduled to expire for wind and solar generation and that advocates are seeking regional support with federal legislators."
"I learned a University of Toledo professor has built an incredibly successful solar cell company getting worldwide attention."
______________________
RESOURCES
Green Energy Ohio is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting
environmentally and economically sustainable energy policies and
practices in Ohio.
| |
 Morgan County's Jeff Shaner Retires
Congratulations to Jeff Shaner, the Economic Development Director with OSU Extension in Morgan County on his retirement that was effective June 30. Jeff has served with the Morgan County OSU Extension for 18 years, eight as Economic Development Director.
Jeff isn't really retiring though. He will immediatley begin work as Support Operations VP for ABC Manufacturing, as well as continue as an Evangelist for the Neelysville Church of Christ, and will continue as President of the Morgan Local School Board.
Some of the key projects Jeff worked on during his tenure include:
EZ Grout location in 2000 and relocation in 2007; CIC purchase of former Malta Window facility (locating Draper, Business Resource Center, Malta Wood Windows, and Campbell Tire Shredding at the facility) and selling it to ABC Manufacturing; CIC purchase of former Gould building and securing Miba Bearings' future in Morgan County, then Miba's expansion into truck bearings and now Sinter Metal; Mahle Expansion; and the ODOT State Route 78/37 feasibility study for improvement -- to name a few. Best wishes to Jeff! | |
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Applications Accepted Through July 1
ARC Goal: to provide quality health care
 Meigs County Federally Qualified Health Clinic:
In 2008, the ARC supported the regional goal to provide quality health care when it funded a grant for $180,725 to the Meigs County Commissioners to help defray the costs of equipment for the Meigs County Family HealthCare (federally qualified clinic). The location is the only service in the county with fees based on the ability to pay. Through continued grants from ARC, it serves a clear community need, helps retain local health care dollars in-county, and provides services to the working poor that were previously unavailable.
"Our FQHC is at capacity with the nurse practitioner seeing a full load of patients each month without advertising. The clinic has a new physician and will be able to increase its patient load even more," said Meigs County Economic Development Director Perry Varnadoe. "The stories of the people they see who haven't been able to afford health care for years are heart wrenching. The $100 fee is pretty common down here, and hard to come by for the working poor. Honestly, this is one of the best things that we've done in Meigs County."
Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District is committed to assisting the eight counties in the region in securing grant funding for projects. One important grant funding agency is The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
The ARC Grants program has a series of strategic goal areas for project work emphasis that include: increasing job opportunities and per capita income in the region; strengthening the capacity of the people of Appalachia to compete in the global economy; developing and improving Appalachia's infrastructure to make the region economically competitive; and building the Appalachian highway system to reduce the region's isolation.
In 2009, projects will be prioritized with the following goals in mind:
- to create and/or retain private sector jobs;
- to extend or upgrade water or sewer services;
- to provide quality health care;
- to provide job skills training; or
- to develop/improve infrastructure for residents.
For answers on questions regarding the ARC grant process call Charmel Wesel at (740) 374-9436. |
News from Around the Disrict...
Monroe County: "Team Monroe" Supports Economic Development Efforts
The Economic Development Team in Monroe County has coordinated a variety of resident-led committees to support cooperative efforts to move forward. Committees include: Business Incubation; Education, Infrastructure, Marketing, Tourism, and Transportation.
 There is few formal post-secondary education offerings available within Monroe County. The Education committee has worked with Belmont Technical College to developa partnership to lead and expand higher education offerings in the county. Currently, residents must drive 40-50+ miles to the nearest university or college campus. With the rising cost of gas, many families, already financially burdened, are finding options for higher education are a choice less obtainable. In addition, cost for child care for non-traditional students is factored into time away from the home for the drive to out-of-town institutions.
Washington County: AARP Livable Communities Program Releases Survey Results
Buckeye Hills is coordinating with AARP in Marietta -- which is one of only 10 communities nationwide selected to participate in the AARP "Livable Communities" project and survey. The city was selected because many services and amenities that can make a community more livable are already available.
"Going From Good to Great: A Livable Communities Survey in Marietta, Ohio," indicates 95 percent of the 801 residents surveyed within the Marietta zip code were satisfied with the community as a place to live, and 86 percent rated the area as excellent, very good or good for people approaching retirement.
"A huge percentage say they want to live out their lives in this town," said Rebecca Wheeler-Grieve, manager of community service and public outreach for AARP Ohio.
"We're not saying that Marietta is one of the most livable towns in the country, but it's one of the areas that's working with AARP to help provide a more livable community," she said.
The AARP survey will help seniors by highlighting the community's needs, providing a basis from which the local Livable Communities Team can work. The team is made up of representatives from several public and private agencies, including AARP, the Area Agency on Aging, Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District, the City of Marietta, Glenwood Retirement Community, Marietta Community Foundation, Marietta Family YMCA, the O'Neill Senior Center, WASCO Inc., Washington County Health Department, Washington/Morgan County Community Action, the Inn at Marietta and Cranston Real Estate.
Rick Hindman, Assistant Executive Director at Buckeye Hills and a team leader, said the group discussed the AARP survey and plans to use the document to develop projects focused on filling needs identified.
While Marietta has many components of a livable community, the survey shows that Marietta needs to address problem areas to make the city a great livable community that meets the needs of all residents as they age. Read the Survey Report |
| Thomas A. Closser (TAC) Business Center Building Tenant List
The Closser Business Center, located at 245 Millers Lane, Marietta, houses the Revolving Loan Fund Program for Buckeye Hills. This spring two other businesses began leasing.
 The first company is Accessible Home Concepts, a new business and a dealer of Superior Living Products. The company is a home modification company dedicated to helping people with special needs, those with physical challenges, temporary injuries and seniors wishing to stay home. With their product modifications, such as wheel chair ramps and showers, individuals are able to live independently in their own homes. The owner, George Stoy, has also taken advantage of the Secretarial Support offered at the TAC Business Center. For more information about this company see their new website: www.accessiblehomeconcepts.com.
 The second TAC tenant is North America Recycling, LLC; they assist customers with reducing raw materials and landfill costs by reducing or reusing waste and, in some cases, reprocessing waste materials to be re-used in the manufacturing cycle resulting in less raw material costs. Their motto is "Reduce, Recycle, Reuse and Re-Manufacture." They have warehousing and distribution facilities in Buffalo, NY; Charlotte, NC; Atlanta, GA and will open a new facility in North East Ohio soon. For more information about this company see their website: www.northamericarecycle.com.
The TAC Business Center currently has 13 Office Suites available for lease. The center is a two-story building with two conference rooms, storage space, kitchen area, four restrooms, and convenient parking. Secretarial Support, high speed Internet, phone and fax provided for a small fee. For more information on the building please contact Jenny Myers at jmyers@buckeyehills.org or 740.374-9436.
|
Seed Money for Fire Control Efforts Worldwide
FM Global Fire Prevention Grant Program
The FM Global Fire Prevention Grant Program offers seed money to fire departments and related international, national, state, regional, and local organizations for a wide array of fire prevention, preparedness, and control efforts. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for pre-fire planning for commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities; fire and arson prevention and investigation; and fire prevention education and training programs.
Examples of funded projects include: preventive juvenile firesetter programs, continuing education courses, digital and specialized cameras, and community outreach initiatives and workshops. Requests may be submitted throughout the year and are reviewed quarterly. Visit the website for additional information.
I'm a Child of Appalachia Fostering Access to Education Mini- Grant Program
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio seeks grant applications for the 2008 I'm a Child of Appalachia® Fostering Access to Education Mini- Grant Program. The goal of this program is to improve educational opportunities for the families and children of Appalachian Ohio. Access to quality educational opportunities in all stages of life is essential to the health and well-being of families and the future prosperity of Appalachian Ohio.
The Mini-Grant Program will award funding to activities and projects providing educational opportunities to students within the 29 counties of Appalachian Ohio. Awards will range from $500 to $2500, and successful projects must be creative, leverage existing resources, and plan to use the funding to accomplish something other available dollars cannot address. FAO invites proposals from schools or school districts, educational service centers, community child-development programs, nonprofit childcare centers, community action agencies, community health centers, parent/teacher organizations, and other nonprofit and voluntary organizations.
The grant committee reviewing the proposals will look for projects that help underserved populations, benefit a large number of students, include at-risk populations and communities, and/or use innovative and creative approaches. Due to the limited pool of grant dollars available, funding priority may be given to competitive applicants that have not received prior FAO mini-grant funding.
The deadline for grant applications is Monday, July 21, 2008.
Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund program (CORF) Applications Now Available
The Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund program application is now available online. A CORF application training session will be held on Tuesday July 1st from 1-4 p.m. via video-conference from several university and community colleges around the state. Confirmed participating locations include: Ohio University (Athens County); Miami University (Butler County); Cleveland State University (Cuyahoga County); Southern State Community College (Highland County); University of Toledo (Lucas County); Youngstown State University (Mahoning County); and the University of Akron (Summit County). We are still in the process of confirming a few additional locations and will forward a final list of locations and registration information next week. You will be able to participate in the video conference live at these locations and others to be announced. The training will also be captured on video and be made available on the CORF website following the event. If you are unable to attend the training you will be able to download the video file from the CORF website following the July 4th holiday. If you have any questions regarding the application please feel free to contact the Urban Development Division at 614-995-2292 or via e-mail at oud@development.ohio.gov; or the Ohio EPA SABR Division at 614-644-2924 or via e-mail at vlad.cica@epa.state.oh.us |
| GIS Can Help...
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can help an entrepreneur research and identify the perfect location to set up shop, provide the quickest and safest first responder routes, allow local governments to prioritize road and bridge repairs , provide and maintain an inventory of local assets such as fire hydrants, water lines, and storm drains, as well as a wide range of other services and programs aimed at enhancing the management and growth of local communities.
GIS technology gathers, stores, and analyzes tabular data from a wide variety of sources, which is later symbolized and displayed on a map. These customized maps display the information geographically using "layers," allowing users to add or remove various data sets as needed throughout the planning and decision-making processes. Symbolizing the data in layers as described allows the user to see relationships between different data layers and to draw conclusions based on those relationships.
Around the nation and across Appalachia, local development districts (LDDs) like Buckeye Hills, are using GIS for an array of issues, such as transportation planning, public transportation routing, enhanced 911 dispatch services, land use planning, natural disaster modeling and response services, hazard mitigation, floodplain mapping, public/private infrastructure inventory, zoning issues, school bus routes, natural resource management, housing, tourism, and economic development. Most importantly, Buckeye Hills and other LDDs are using their institutional knowledge and experience to bring advanced GIS technologies and services to small communities and rural regions that lack the financial resources and staffing support needed to establish and maintain a GIS program.
"As one of the fastest growing industries, GIS can have a profound impact on economic development," said Brian Schrantz, systems architect with EMA, Inc. "It can create new and more job opportunities, better planning at a more finite level and more data availability. It can also serve as an attraction for businesses and residents to come to the region and take advantage of what the technology will offer."
For more details on the GIS services available at Buckeye Hills, contact Bret Allphin at 740-374-9436, or via email at bretallphin@buckeyehills.org.
| |
|
