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News & Issues Update
 
 
 
October 2008
 
P.O. Box 520 Reno, OH 45773 -- 740-374-9436 -- www.buckeyehills.org
 
Mark Your Calendars 
 
Semi-Annual General Policy Council Meeting: Oct. 28  
 
Buckeye Hills will host its Semi-Annual Meeting Oct. 28 at the Marietta Comfort Inn.   
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!
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morgan county
oct. 7 � 6-8 p.m.
reicker bldg.
155 east main -
McConnelsville
 
hocking county
oct.14 � 6-8 p.m.
lee's banquet haus
580 radio lane - logan

 
meigs county
nov. 17 � 6-8 p.m.
rio grande meigs campus
42377 charles chancey dr.
Pomeroy
 
washington county
dec. 9 � 6-8 p.m.
buckeye hills office
1400 pike st. � marietta
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Development
DATA CENTER UPDATE:
 
August Ohio Unemployment Rates Hit 15-Year High
 
After climbing to its highest point in more than 15 years in July, Ohio's unemployment rate rose even higher in August.
The monthly unemployment report recorded a 7.4 percent unemployment rate in August, up from 7.2 percent in July and 5.7 percent a year ago. The last time the jobless rate in the state hit levels seen in August was October 1992. 

Rates in the region:
Athens: 8.2%  
Hocking:  8.1%
Meigs: 10.8% 
Monroe: 9.6%
Morgan: 10.8%
Noble: 9.2%
Perry: 8.7%
Washington: 5.9%
  
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Melissa Zoller, the BH-HVRDD Development Director, will represent the 8-county District as a participant in  FY 2009 Ohio Consolidated Plan program Advisory Committee meetings October 22 & 23. She will attend the water and sanitary sewer program and the economic development program Advisory Committees.
 
Zoller will also attend the Appalachian Regional Commission FY 2009 Prioritization meeting October 15 in Columbus.
Tax Incentive and Export Education Opportunities Available to Regional Businesses
 
The Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 was signed into law with an amendment authorized
by U.S. Senator George Voinovich that promises to help struggling businesses make new investments, expand
operations and create jobs. The Act will provide tax relief to companies that are hurting the most in Ohio. 

It allows companies operating at a loss the option of claiming their
accumulated alternative minimum tax (AMT) and research & development
(R&D) tax credits if they use the funds to make new capital investments
and create new jobs. But time is running out - this provision expires at
the end of 2008. Every eligible company should take advantage of the tax incentive. 

The Basics of Exporting Workshops:

The US Department of Commerce, US Commercial Service and the Small Business Development Center offices in Marietta and Cambridge invite businesses to attend a free workshop to learn about US government export assistance programs for small and medium-sized companies.  Roberta Ford of the U.S. Commercial Service office in Columbus will present information on the programs and services available to help small and medium-sized companies export, share international market research tools and answer questions regarding exporting goods and services.

Congressman Charlie Wilson (OH-18) will be in attendance to kick-off the event on October 23 in Marietta (Washington County); 10 a.m. - noon
The workshop is free but advance registration is required.  To register, call the U.S. Commercial Service office at 614-365-9510 or email: [email protected].

Annual Boat Ride Provides USDA Updates 

USDAThe annual Buckeye Hills Boat Ride provided nearly 100 guests with updates from Randy Hunt of the USDA and education on how the Valley Gem will make future use of alternative fuels. At left is BH-HVRDD Exec. Director Misty Casto with USDA's Randy Hunt. He shared that from the USDA's perspective, it is much easier doing projects when partners like Buckeye Hills coordinate and work together to "blend resources." He also noted that in times of economic downturns, this is when our communities need services the most."
 
Boat Ride
The business networking event provides community leaders from across the region an opportunity to meet with state and federal legislative and funding representatives. Shown (from left) are Bob Hickey of the Economic Development Administration, Mike Walsh of Hocking County and Brandon Kern of U.S. Senator George Voinovich's office.
 
Ohio Public Works Funding Round in Process 
Buckeye Hills serves as the liaison for District 18 of the State Capital Improvement/Local Transportation Improvements Programs (SCIP/LTIP) funded by the OPWC. The programs provide funding for road, bridge, culvert, water, wastewater, solid waste, and storm water facility projects.  
 
Over the past 20 years the SCIP/LTIP Program has brought approximately $140 million dollars into district 18 to assist local governments in developing infrastructure.
 
In the current funding request round, Buckeye Hills has received 65 applications for an estimated total request amount of $30,000,000 of  grant, loan, and loan assistance funds. The region's total allocation from OPWC is $11,113,000. The team is currently rating the applications and scores were mailed to applicants at the end of September. They have until October 10th for any comments or changes.

 
Buckeye Hills Revolving Loan Fund Committee Notes Membership Updates
The Buckeye Hills Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) offers loans to businesses in conjunction with a bank. Such funds are used in the event that full financing cannot be obtained from a bank, or to fill the "gap" between a bank loan and the financing necessary to complete a proposed business project. The RLF will not provide 100% financing of a project. Since the conception of the RLF Program, the program has made 114 loans totaling of $6.6M.

These loans have created over 700 jobs and retained over 760 jobs for a total of 1470 jobs within the eight county region. With these funds, the RLF has generated $19.4 M in private funds invested in the region and an additional $3.4M of public funds. Total investment from all funds has been $29.4M.

McCarthyJ. Michael McCarthy, SRA/GA, of McCarthy Appraisals Ltd. has been a member of the RLF committee for several years. He will be stepping down from this role later this year and will be greatly missed. He shared the following with Buckeye Hills: "Thank you and BHHVRDD for giving me the opportunity to help the people of SE Ohio by participating on your RLF committee.  Hopefully, some people and our local economy are better off due to the benefits of the RLF."

Thank you, Mike for a job well done!

Newly appointed to the board is Shannon Wells. Shannon is serving as a representative of Morgan County where she serves as Director of Community Development.
 
There is a need for a certified real estate appraiser to fill the position Mike is vacating. RLF committee members serve 3-year terms. If interested, contact Tina Meunier at 740-376-0360 or [email protected].
AROUND THE DISTRICT:
 
Noble County: SR 285 Water Extension Funded
 
The final $408,500 in resources in a multiple-source funding package to complete a water line extension in Noble County were received in Sept. The State Route 285 project will serve residents of Ohio and Center Townships connecting to the Village of Caldwell by installing approx. 25,200 linear feet of water line and a booster station.
  
 
"This is the best news we've received since I've been in office," said Noble County Commissioner Virgil Thompson. "We really appreciate the efforts of Buckeye Hills to help us get this done."  

 
Noble Water
Show at left:
(Front): Tim Leasure, Ohio Dept. of Development; Noble County Commissioners John Carter and Virgil Thompson.
Noble County Water Authority Board member Ed Caldwell; Noble County Commissioner  
Charles Cowgill; Water Authority Pres., Bob Bonds; Water Authority Board member Dale Hedge; Ohio Senator Joy Padgett; Buckeye Hills' Michelle Hyer; and behind are Kevin Logan and Ray Wheeler of the Army Corps of Engineers.
 
Meigs, Monroe & Morgan County: Receive CDBG Awards
 
Three of the 10 communities that received more than $2.5 million to improve distressed areas through the Neighborhood Revitalization Grants, a competitive program of the Ohio Department of Development's Community Development Division, which is funded with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funds, were in the BH-HVRDD region. Coordination with Buckeye Hills to secure ARC funding for some projects helped the Meigs County show "matching grants" to earn additional points in the competitive process.
 
Meigs County will receive a $300,000 grant to rehab a fire department and purchase a new pumper truck; resurface 3,363 linear feet of streets; replace 750 linear feet of sidewalks; install 13 curbcuts and 3,400 linear feet of water line and three hydrants; and complete other infrastructure improvements in the Village of Syracuse. The grant will leverage approximately $369,700 in other public and private funds.

Monroe County will receive a $300,000 grant to install playground equipment, a picnic pavilion, basketball court, 1,475 linear feet of sidewalk, 20 culverts, and 600 linear feet of culvert pipe; replace a gymnasium floor and 37 windows in the Lewisville Community Center; purchase a fire truck; and pave an 11,520 square-foot parking lot and 27,508 linear feet of streets in Summit Township. The grant will leverage approximately $378,500 in other public/private funds.

Morgan County will receive a $264,200 grant to purchase a generator; install a 500,000 gallon storage tank for the water system, two sewer pumps; purchase components for the telemetry system; and complete other infrastructure improvements in the Village of McConnelsville. The grant will leverage approximately $841,900 in other public and private funds.

Funding Opportunity: Governor's Office of Appalachia Announces Community Facility Initiative
One-time funds available for building repairs, upgrades 
 
A newly created Community Facility Initiative within the Ohio Department of Development's Governor's Office of Appalachia will provide $300,000 in funding. The initiative is designed to invest in community facilities and projects in all 29 Ohio Appalachian counties that aim to improve, upgrade, repair, or enhance public buildings only.
 
The program aims to provide funding so that buildings can be safe and ready to use by the community. Priority will be given to facilities and projects located in The Appalachian Regional Commission Designated Distressed Counties, which include Athens, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Pike, and Vinton counties, and communities with fewer than 5,000 residents.

Buildings must be in useable condition when applications are submitted; funds cannot be used for new construction, and all permits, inspections, research, and estimates must be completed before applying for the program. Requests for funding may begin at $15,000 and go up to $30,000 per project, and funding payments are reimbursement only. All activities funded by the initiative must be completed and the project must be ready for use within one year from when the grant agreement is executed. There is a dollar-for-dollar match up to $30,000; a cash match must be in place before applying for Community Facility Initiative funds, and these funds cannot be used to match other funds for construction of a new building.

Eligible project activities include but are not limited to: Exterior: (replace/repair of roof, gutters, windows, doors, paint, and brick cleaning/repair) Interior: (painting, repairing walls or floors) Handicap accessibility: (compliant restroom, ramps, water fountains) Replace/upgrade of heating and/or cooling systems: Upgrade electric wiring, boxes: Create/equip educational space.


Choices ExpoAAA8 to Host Choices Expo: Living Healthy, Wealthy & Wise
 
The Area Agency on Aging will host the second annual Choices Expo at the Marietta Comfort Inn on Weds., Nov. 12 from 1-8 p.m. and Thurs., Nov.13 from 8a.m. to 1p.m.    Young and old, baby boomers and members of the greatest generation from across the region are encouraged to attend - it is never too early to begin creating a life-long plan. Participants will enjoy a wealth of information about healthy lifestyles, long-term care options, caregiver services, basic health screenings, workshops about retirement planning and much more.  

Choices Expo sponsors, exhibitors, presenters and activities coordinators should pre-register by contacting Mindy Cayton at the Ohio Area Agency on Aging 8 at 1-800-331-2644 or visit www.areaagency8.org. Continued thanks to Expo Title Sponsor, Senior News.    

2008 Confirmed Expo Sponsors Include:  
GOLD:
Comfort Inn, Life Ambulance, Marietta Memorial Hospital, Ohio Valley Home Health, Inc.    

Silver: Comfort Inn � Home Helpers � Interim Healthcare of Southeast Ohio � McCarter Health Care � Ohio Home Care � Pro Seniors � Settlers Bank � United Seniors of Athens County, Inc.

Activity: Mid-Ohio Valley Alzheimer's Association � O'Neill Senior Center � Ohio's Best RX � The Pines at Glenwood � Scenic Hills Senior Center

Exhibitors: In addition to event sponsors, the following will exhibit at the Expo:Appletree Assisted Living � Comfort Keepers � Guardian Medical Monitoring Marietta City Health Department � RSVP of Washington County � Summit Acres �  Washington County Health Dept. � Washington County Job & Family Services

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