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News & Issues Update
 
 
 
August 2008
 
P.O. Box 520 Reno, OH 45773 -- 740-374-9436 -- www.buckeyehills.org
 
"Save the Date" for Semi-Annual General Policy Council Meeting: Oct. 28
 
Buckeye Hills will host its Semi-Annual Meeting Oct. 28 at the Marietta Country Club. Save the Date!
 
let's talk!
Buckeye Hills to Host Region-wide Town Hall Meetings 
 
A town hall meeting is an informal public meeting where everybody in a county is invited to attend, voice their opinions and share ideas on how to work toward a better community, county and region. Join us for the town hall meeting in your area and let's talk!
Meeting participants will have the chance to voice their thoughts on a variety of topics and share ideas for partnerships and working toward solutions. As a result, the true voice of those living in the county and region will be gathered, offering needed insight for future planning. The perspectives raised in these meetings will help Buckeye Hills learn how to best serve people living in the 8-county region.
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athens county

 sept. 30 � 6-8 p.m.  
athens community center 
athens
 
hocking county
 to be announced 

meigs county
nov. 17 � 6-8 p.m.  
rio grande meigs campus
 pomeroy
 
morgan county
oct. 7 � 6-8 p.m.  
reicker bldg.
mcconnelsville
 
monroe county
aug. 12 � 6-8 p.m.  
monroe senior center
118 home ave. woodsfield
 
noble county
aug. 19 � 6-8 p.m.  
summerfield legion hall
 summerfield
 
perry county
sept. 16 � 6-8 p.m.
hocking college campus
new lexington
 
washington county
dec. 9 � 6-8 p.m.  
buckeye hills office
1400 pike st. marietta
 
DATA CENTER UPDATE:
 
June Ohio Unemployment Rates
Ohio's unemployment rate was 6.6 percent in June, up from 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 (unchanged from May).
 
Rates in the region:
Athens: 6.7%  
Hocking:  7.2%
Meigs: 10% 
Monroe: 8.7%
Morgan: 9.9%
Noble: 7.7%
Perry: 8.1%
Washington: 5.6%  
 Alternative Energy Column

Articles, issues, resources and grant notices related to Alternative or Green Energy ...    

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Buckeye Hills Invites Providers to Attend Alternative Fuel Program at Hocking College  
Buckeye Hills is coordinating with a variety of regional partners to discuss and develop alternative fuel options for providers.
In lieu of the continuing-to-rise gasoline costs, it is imperative to look for alternative options.   Those with an interest in learning more should join us for an Advance Vehicular Fleet Fuels forum Aug. 6 at Hocking College (Student Center, Nelsonville). The program is from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and provides information on advanced fuels available. Reg. fee is $50. Group and public agency pricing is $10 per person.  
  
Call 877.HOCKING to register.
[email protected]   The program brochure is availabile on our web site.
Mark Your Calendars

Something to be Proud of: Appalachian Culture from Family to Familism
This day promises discussion of the ideas which matter most to those of us working in the Appalachian Culture and to our Appalachian client base. Presented by Roger D. Hicks, M.Ed., NCC. Hosted by AAA8.
September 11
The Lafayette Hotel
101 Front Street, Marietta, OH
9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Registration Fee: $60 

Click Here for details 

SAVE THE DATE!
Choices ExpoNov. 12-13 Area Agency on Aging 8 Hosts
Choices Expo: Living Healthy, Wealthy & Wise   

Free Admission! Workshops, Exhibits, Activities, Free & Reduced-Rate Testing, Food and more!

Sponsored by:  
Title Sponsor: Senior News; Gold Sponsors: Marietta Memorial Hospital and Ohio Valley Home Health, Inc.

AEP Awards Grant for Joint Application to Coordinate Regional Economic Development Efforts
 
aepThe joint application for an AEP Ohio Economic Development Grant with Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Washington Counties for a feasibility study to determine strategies for regional collaboration was approved by AEP.
 
The $10,000 grant will provide funds to assist with a feasibility study to determine strategies for regional economic development collaboration and defray costs for the development of such a free-standing regional entity.
AROUND THE DISTRICT:
 
Monroe County: Woodsfield
Monroe County Native Crowned Miss Ohio 2008 
KarissaMonroe County native, Karissa Martin, captured the Miss Ohio 2008 title. The new Miss Ohio is a volunteer with the American Cancer Society's Cancer Resource Center in Woodsfield. Her platform is Skin Cancer Awareness for a Second Generation, a topic which she has addressed as a speaker in local schools A music and theater communications student at West Liberty University, she is the daughter of Sheila and Ron Martin of Woodsfield. Karissa is shown here volunteering at the Monroe County Relay for Life Event July 11-12 which raised over $55,000.
 
 
Morgan County: McConnelsville 
MIBA_MorganMiba Corpation Expands Operations
 
On July 14, Congressman Zack Space of the 18th District (at far left) officially announced that the Miba Corporation, an engine bearing manufacturer, will expand operations to add 60 new jobs. The state awarded the manufacturing company tax credits to enable the business to add 60 new employees at its McConnelsville location.

Also show with Congressman Space are Bernie Anderson, president Miba Bearings; Christi Mash, ODOD Region 11; Fred Deel, GOA; and Larry Hivnor, Workforce Development for Monroe, Morgan, Noble & Washington Counties.

Morgan & Noble Counties:
ED Study on Use of AEP Lands
Economic development representatives in Guernsey, Morgan, Muskingum and Noble Counties continue to explore possible development opportunities for the AEP land located east of The Wilds in those counties. Working with the Governor's Office of Appalachia and AEP, the counties are coordinating a study of the site for possible development recommendations. The plan should be completed later this year and will provide uses for the property with costs to provide necessary site infrastructure.
 

Washington County: Marietta
"Veterans Walk of Honor Dedication Ceremony" Held in Marietta July 2

walk plaque

 
A grand crowd gathered July 2 to celebrate the unveiling of The Veterans Walk of Honor memorial in downtown Marietta. The memorial features bricks etched in honor of a veteran. Brick donations have raised more than $50,000 for an endowment fund to support the long-term upkeep of the Armory when it is renovated.

Jack CastoMore than 1,800 bricks have now been placed, including one donated by BH-HVRDD Executive Director to honor her father, Jack Casto who served in the U.S. Army.
For more details or Brick Applications, contact WASCO, Inc. - www.wascoinc.org

Senate Bill 3264 Introduced to Reauthorize EDA

Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, introduced S3264, a bill to reauthorize the Economic Development Administration (EDA) in July. The Senator's bill includes many of the program administration improvements proposed by the President while reaffirming a commitment to acceptable funding levels. 

The bill reauthorizes EDA for five years, allows for increases in the minimum level of funding for planning districts, provides needed resources and reforms to improve administration of the revolving loan fund program, and adds flexibility in addressing grant recipients' changed economic development needs. As Chairman of the EPW Committee in 2004, Senator Inhofe sponsored the last reauthorization of EDA.    
 
"To ensure the continuation of this good work and to provide the tools necessary to improve performance even further, I am introducing legislation to reauthorize EDA. Studies show that EDA uses federal dollars efficiently and effectively, creating and retaining long-term jobs at an average cost that is among the lowest in government. Especially in these times of economic uncertainty, it is imperative not to create uncertainty for this very successful agency and the struggling communities that depend on its assistance by allowing the authorization to lapse," stated Inhofe.
Casto Joins Ranks of Ohio Commodores    
 
CastoAt the summer induction dinner of the Ohio Association of Commodores that was held at the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta, Misty Casto, was inducted as an Ohio Commodore.  Membership in the Executive Order of the Ohio Commodores is only possible through appointment by Ohio's Governor in recognition for outstanding contributions to the economic development of the State of Ohio. It is considered Ohio's "most distinguished honor."
Shown with Casto at left is Commodore Free Deel of the Governor's Office of Appalachia, at right is Grand Commodore William N. Morgan.
 
The Association currently boasts a diverse and dedicated membership of over 200 men and women. 18 charter members of the original Commodores still belong to the Association, and many Ohio families have seen multiple generations achieve membership.
Members include government officials such as members of the Governor's Cabinet; distinguished university professors and administrators; leaders of trade associations and economic development organizations; and senior executives of large, medium and small manufacturers from across Ohio in a wide variety of industries.

AAA8

 Nominations for Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame
Annual Induction Recognizes Outstanding Achievements and Contributions

The Area Agency on Aging District 8 requests nominations for outstanding older individuals to be inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. The hall honors outstanding Ohioans age 60 and older for their extraordinary achievements and contributions. Individuals and organizations interested in nominating a neighbor, colleague, family member or friend may download a nomination form or submit a nomination online by visiting www.goldenbuckeye.com/hof/.
AAA8 will accept nominations through August 14, 2008. Honorees will be inducted to the Hall of Fame in a ceremony in the spring.
 
Nominees must be age 60 or older and be native-born Ohioans or a resident of the state for at least ten years. Posthumous nominations will be accepted.
PASSPORT Providers to See 3% Increase

handsOhio's budget corrections bill, Amended Substitute House bill 562, does not remove the provider rate increases granted to PASSPORT and Choices Programs in the biennial budget bill, House Bill 119; therefore, service providers will receive a 3% increase in Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, which began July 1. Because the increase cannot go into effect until official rules are filed, it will be made retroactive. Service providers also received a 3% increase in FY 2008. These increases marked the first time in many years that service providers received additional reimbursements for PASSPORT services.  
 
AAA8 Finalizes Contracts with Regional PASSPORT Providers
 
The Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging District 8 finalized selection of 73 PASSPORT providers for the 2008-2010 service term. Thanks to Ohio legislation, the providers will receive a reimbursement increase of three percent for services provided. PASSPORT is administered through Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District; its Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8) serves Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington Counties.  
 
The AAA8 case manager works with the family, physician, and home health workers to customize a care plan for each client. Care plans may consist of a combination of services including; home-delivered meals, personal care, chore service, emergency response systems, home medical equipment, transportation that are then delivered through the regional PASSPORT provider network.
 
In the past year, more than 750 individuals participated in the PASSPORT program affording the opportunity to receive quality care and support services in the comfort of their own homes. The program makes better use of taxpayer dollars. Nearly five people will be cared for through state funds available through PASSPORT for the same cost of providing state-funded care for one person in a nursing facility.

The Area Agency on Aging funded 5,812 hours of personal care; 12,538 hours of homemaker service; 1,237 days of adult day care; 2,343 medical escort trips to medical appointments; over 42,000 congregate meals; and nearly 70,000 home-delivered meals with funding from a variety of sources. 
Contact Us
Buckeye Hills is organized as a voluntary organization of local government political subdivisions to foster cooperative efforts in regional planning, and implementing of regional plans and programs. Share your success stories and let us assist with your development needs - 740-374-9436. 

 
Misty Casto - Buckeye Hills Executive Director
Rick Hindman - Buckeye Hills Assistant Executive Director & Area Agency on Aging Director
Melissa Zoller - Development Director
Doug Dye - Fiscal Director 
Gwynn Clifford - Communications Director