Federal Economic Recovery Updates Available
There are ongoing updates available on the BH-HVRDD web site related to the federal funding progress. Visit www.buckeyehills.org
for details on the district's project list and status of legislation.
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Ohio Creates Stimulus Infrastructure Czar Position
Governor Strickland hired Ronald Richard, President/CEO of the Cleveland Foundation and a former U.S. diplomat for the new, temporary "Infrastructure Czar" position to help determine how Ohio will utilize the state's federal stimulus package. Richard will not be paid for the position.
He will work with the legislature, federal government and local communities to make sure any proposed funds can be spent quickly and efficiently.
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Development
DATA CENTER UPDATE
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December Ohio Unemployment Rates Highest in 20 Years
The state says steep losses in the manufacturing sector pushed Ohio's jobless rate to 7.8 percent last month, the highest rate in more than 20 years.
Ohio's unemployment rate
was 7.8 percent in December, up from 5.8 one year ago.
Rates in the region:
Athens: 7%
Hocking: 9.7%
Meigs: 11.4%
Monroe: 10.9%
Morgan: 12.7%
Noble: 11.3%
Perry: 10.3%
Washington: 6.3% |
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Hocking & Perry Counties Eligible for Additional Funds
Second Supplemental Appropriations
Disaster Relief Opportunity
Related to FEMA-1805-DR
In response to hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters occurring during 2008, EDA is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications to support long-term post-disaster economic recovery through an additional $400 million in emergency funding provided through a Second Supplemental under the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, signed into law on September 30, 2008.
This FFO follows EDA's August, 2008 announcement of the availability of $100 million through the First Supplemental Appropriations Disaster Relief Opportunity pursuant to Act of June 30, 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-252, 122 Stat. 2323 (2008).
Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) notices for both of these Supplemental Appropriations, totaling $500 million, may be viewed at EDA
The EDA notice encourages the submission of several types of innovative projects for funding under the $400 million Second Supplemental Appropriations Disaster Relief Opportunity, such as "mother grants" obligated to a State for redistribution to individual projects; regional, multi-State strategy development grants; and grants to universities and research institutions to undertake multi-disciplinary activities to develop disaster-resilient economies.
As with the First Supplemental, funding for the Second Supplemental Appropriations Disaster Relief Opportunity will be allocated entirely to EDA's six Regional Offices for competitive awards. The Chicago region will receive 15% or $60,000,000 (covering Ill., Ind., Mich., Minn., Ohio, and Wis.).
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Three Ohio Development Districts Visit DC
The executive directors of Buckeye Hills-HVRDD, OMEGA and OVRDC recently visited Washington, D.C. to advocate for full funding of the Applachian Regional Commission (ARC) and Economic Development Administration (EDA), to bring attention to rural transportation issues and for infrastructure, broadband and senior services resources as part of the Federal Economic Stimlulus Package.
 Shown from left are John Hemmings of OVRDC; Buckeye Hills Exec. Director Misty Casto, U.S. Senator George Voinovich - a long-time supporter of The Appalachian Regional Commission; and Greg DiDonato of OMEGA. Below, they are shown with Congressman Zack Space.
State Representative Phillips Visits Marietta
State Rep. Debbie Phillips (D-92nd District) visited with leaders from Buckeye Hills in January to learn more about the development district and The Area Agency on Aging. Phillips serves Athens, Meigs, Morgan and parts of Washington Counties. She is interested in inviting the new Ohio Infrastructure Czar to Appalachia so that he is sure to undertand the issues facing the region. 
Shown at left with Rep. Phillips (center) is Exec. Director Misty Casto and Asst. Director Rick Hindman.
111th Congress Committee Appointments Announced
US Senate Senator Sherrod Brown (D)
Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry, Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs
Health, Education, Labor & Pensions and Veterans' Affairs
Senator George Voinovich (R) was appointed to the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. In this new role he will advocate greater oversight, tougher standards and the setting of real priorities. Due to Senate rules, this new committee assignment will bring Sen. Voinovich's tenure on the Foreign Relations Committee to an end. He will continue to serve on the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. In addition, the two-term Republican senator announced in January that he will not seek a third term, which would follow on more than four decades of public service including stints as mayor of Cleveland, lieutenant governor and governor of Ohio.
US House of Representatives
Zack Space (D)
Agriculture; Energy & Commerce and Veterans' Affairs
Charlie Wilson (D)
Science & Technology
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland Appointed ARC States' Co-Chair
 Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has been elected by his fellow Appalachian governors to serve as the 2009 states' co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). He succeeds Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour in this position.
"It is an honor to be selected by my fellow Appalachian governors to serve as ARC states' co-chair," said Strickland. "When you grow up in small-town Appalachian Ohio, you see hard work and determination every single day. While there's never been any shortage of ability in the place I call home, we have to make sure there's no shortage of opportunity."
Strickland has made expanding access to higher education a top priority for Appalachian Ohio. "A commitment to education and training will strengthen the Appalachian Region today and for decades to come," he stated.
ARC Federal Co-Chair Anne B. Pope congratulated Strickland on being selected ARC states' co-chair by the Appalachian governors. "He is from Appalachian Ohio," Pope said, "and is well versed in the economic development challenges that the people of Appalachia are facing. He brings a proven commitment to addressing these challenges with care and resourcefulness. The Appalachian Regional Commission is sure to benefit from having Governor Strickland in this key position, and I look forward to working with him on programs that will advance economic opportunities to create jobs and promote growth." |
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Three Ohio Development Districts Support Regional Broadband Project "Connecting Appalachia" Discussions
The executive directors of the three Local Development Districts in the Appalachian Region Buckeye Hills-HVRDD, Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC), and the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA) are working closely with U.S. Congressman Zack Space on the "Connecting Appalachia" Plan. Born out of Space's RENEW 18 District meetings, the Broadband plan being discussed covers a 32-county area, including all of the 29 Appalachian counties in Ohio.
The plan, which has been in the works for months, would use four initiatives to bring vital technology to a wide range of underserved communities. Space's Connecting Appalachia Broadband Plan is a comprehensive approach to bringing high-speed internet service to attract new businesses, create jobs, and put the necessary infrastructure in place to support sustainable economic development.The plan consists of four projects:
- Expansion of the fiber optic network that makes up the Southern Ohio Healthcare Network (SOHCN).
- Constructing a network of wireless broadband towers that will provide consumer access in remote areas.
- Linking many industrial parks directly to the SOHCN, providing high-speed access in support of local business development.
- Secure funding to provide telemedicine equipment to take advantage of the connectivity provided by the SOHCN.
 Joining the LDDs at a recent meeting in Marietta, were state and federal funding resources. Shown from left are Mike Miller of The Ohio Public Works Commission - which recently added broadband as an "eligible activity" as part of the Ohio economic stimulus money; Glen Enslen of U.S. Congressman Zack Space's office; David Douglas of USDA Rural Development; and Fred Deel of the Governor's Office of Appalachia.
Buckeye Hills Revolving Business Development Coordinator Earns National Certification
 Tina Meunier, Business Development Coordinator for the Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District (BHHVRDD) Revolving Loan Fund recently completed the coursework and requirements to earn a national professional certification from the Economic Development Finance Service. EDFS is offered through The National Association of Development Organizations for those who administer small business loans.
The Certification Program in Small Business Loan Fund Management demonstrates loan fund staff professionalism and commitment to small business lending. Meunier completed the necessary program requirements when she served as a speaker on RLF Best-Practices at the National Conference in Chattanooga, TN.
"Since the inception of the RLF Program, it has made 117 loans totaling $6.7 million. These loans have created over 786 jobs and retained over 796 jobs in the 8-county region," said Executive Director Misty Casto. "The RLF program is one of the primary economic development tools serving small businesses in rural areas."
RLF loans have been combined with $23 million of private and other public funds for a total investment of $29.7 million in the 8-county region. They 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. Buckeye Hills' Bret Allphin Earns National GISP Certification
 As the Buckeye Hills Development team GIS Manager, Bret Allphin, GISP, has met the standards and requirements to become a Certified Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Professional (GISP) through The GIS Certification Institute (GISCI).
GISP is a national-level certification program for professionals to ensure they have met the minimum standards for educational achievement, professional experience, and manner in which they contribute back to the profession. |
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AAA8 Supports Launch of RUOK? in Monroe County
Contacting an elderly person or homebound individual on a daily basis helps to reassure their well being and provides a feeling of security. The Area Agency on Aging 8 in partnership with The Monroe County Senior Center and County Council on Aging is providing a new service called the RUOK? (Are You O.K.?) program. This computerized telephone calling system is a free service available to seniors 60 and older and disabled adults.
 Partnering to launch Monroe County's Are You OK? Program were (from left): Ruritan member Margaret Schumacher; Alice Piatt of the Monroe Senior Center; Jean Baldwin, Monroe County Council on Aging; Rick Hindman, Director of AAA8; Ruth Payne, Monroe County Council on Aging; Ruritan member Terry Hickman; Sheriff Chuck Black; Jean Ackerman, Monroe County Council on Aging Treasurer; Sonny Block, Monroe County Council on Aging and Ruritan member Vernon Cline. The system consists of a computer, telephone, printer and the RUOK software housed at The Monroe County Sheriff's Office (provided through a grant from AAA8). The computer stores subscriber names, numbers and call times. The system automatically calls each person at a pre-determined time. When RUOK hears a voice response on the phone it delivers a short pre-recorded message. System operators monitor responses. If the RUOK subscriber does not answer after a pre-set number of call attempts, an alert is given with the emergency contact information and efforts are made to check on the subscriber's welfare. The Are You OK? telephone reassurance system eases the concerns of friends and family who may find it difficult to maintain consistent, reliable contact. It also helps guarantee the independence of aging resident who live alone. "Every day at a pre-arranged time, RUOK automatically makes computerized monitoring calls inexpensively and without interruption to normal community services," said AAA8 Director Rick Hindman. "RUOK is a great community service and we are pleased to help bring it to the residents of Monroe through key county partnerships." The system is designed to check at-risk adults on a daily basis in collaboration with The Monroe County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Chuck Black. This program is not designed to replace, but to supplement, emergency response systems. Funding support for the program's telephone line was provided by The Monroe County Council on Aging and Ruritan Club, as well as AT&T. For more information call the Monroe County Senior Center at 472-1312. |
AROUND THE DISTRICT:
Meigs County: AMP Signs Contractor for Power Plant
In late January, American Municipal Power-Ohio selected Bechtel as the engineer-procure-construct (EPC) contractor for the $3.25 billion AMP Generating station in southeast Ohio. Gerken estimates 1,600 construction workers will be involved during the estimated four and a half year construction timeline. Once built, the plant will employ 165 full-time operators.
Monroe County: Care Center to Expand Assisted Living Units with $250,000 from ARC
The Appalachian Regional Commission will provide a $250,000 grant for The Monroe County Care Center to construct the addition of an 18 unit assisted living facility. The facility will be attached to the U-shaped care center, forming a square and centered with an outdoor garden/ recreation area. Bob Reed and Ron White of SHARE, the firm which manages the care center, said they hope to be ready to start work in mid-autumn.
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