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Priority Transportation Projects to be Funded by Federal Recovery Act Resources
In Ohio, 149 transportation infrastructure projects have been prioritized for full or partial funding from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act resources.
Federal transportation stimulus funds totaling $774 million will be spent in nearly every Ohio county. Based on federal calculations for transportation investment, an estimated 21,257 jobs will be created or retained through these stimulus projects, with thousands of additional jobs likely to be spurred by the economic development that will occur as a result of the projects.In Southeast Ohio, ODOT will expedite construction on the final two phases of the three-phased Nelsonville Bypass by investing $150 million in stimulus funds. Phase one of this new four-lane roadway carrying U.S. Route 33 between the cities of Nelsonville and Logan began last year. Under previous planning, these final two phases were not scheduled to begin until after 2012.
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Ohio Wins Third Consecutive Governor's Cup
Ohio's business and economic development community was awarded, for the third straight year, the prestigious Site Selection Governor's Cup Award. Recognizing Ohio as the nation's leading state for capital investment, the Governor's Cup notes the state with the most capital investment projects during the previous year. Ohio claimed the 2008 Governor's Cup with 503 projects, edging out second place Texas, who finished with 497. Click here to learn more:
Development
DATA CENTER UPDATE
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February
Unemployment Rates
Ohio's unemployment rate was 9.4 percent in February, up from 8.8 percent in January. The U.S. unemployment rate for February was 8.1 percent
Rates in the region:
Athens: 8.2%
Hocking: 11.9%
Meigs: 15.2%
Monroe: 13.3%
Morgan: 16.5%
Noble: 14.2%
Perry: 14.3%
Washington: 9.9% |
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Development Team Update:
BH-HVRDD Development Director Melissa Zoller welcomed daughter Kirstin Zoller to her family in March. Kirstin was 7 lbs. 3 oz. While Melissa is away on leave, Bret Allphin and the Development staff will assist with projects. | |
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 Mark Your Calendars:Semi-Annual General Policy Council Meeting: Buckeye Hills will host its Semi-Annual Meeting on April 28 at the Marietta Country Club.
EODA Annual Meeting:The Eastern Ohio Development Alliance will host its Annual Meeting April 24 at 10:30 a.m. at The Carlisle Village Inn in Walnut Creek. Call 740-432-7902 or 740-439-4471 to RSVP. Ohio Sec. of State Jennifer Brunner will be the keynote speaker and Don Richard, Ohio Infrastructure Czar has also been invited. Registration is $30.
Ohio Development Districts Host Legislative Reception: Buckeye Hills in cooperation with the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA) and the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC) hosted a reception for Ohio legislators to inform and educate lawmakers on The Appalchian Regional Commission Local Development District (LDD) program and the work happening across Ohio's 29 counties. Special thanks to Executive Board members and County Commissioners who attended the event to share with legislators. 
At left: Jennifer Garrison (D-93rd District) visited with John Curtis of Monroe County.
 At left: Debbie Phillips (92nd District) visits with Buckeye Hills Fiscal Director Doug Dye
At left: Dan Dodd (91st District) visits with Perry County Commissioners Fred Shriner and Ed Keister.
 BH-HVRDD Staff Travel to DC for National Meetings and Visit to Capitol Hill: Staff from Buckeye Hills traveled to Washington DC in March for the National Assoc. of Development Organization (NADO) and the Development District Assoc. of Appalachia (DDAA) annual meetings and for federal stimulus program and other updates. They also visited with Ohio's legislators. Before a visit with Senator Voinovich's office, staff shown from left are: Gwynn Clifford; Denise Keyes; Misty Casto; Michelle Hyer; Charmel Wesel and Bret Allphin.
 While in DC, Executive Director Misty Casto joined Greg DiDonato, OMEGA's Executive Director to visit Rep. Zack Space to discuss regional broadband efforts.
 Buckeye Hills Provides Updates to County Commissioners: Executive Director Misty Casto has been visiting with the District's County Commissioners and continues to reach out to leaders across the district with details on Buckeye Hills' services and potential needs for federal economic stimulus funding opportunities. Casto is shown with Washington County Commissioners from left Steven Cook; Casto; Cora Marshall and Sam Cook. |
AROUND THE DISTRICT:
OPWC Projects Selected: Buckeye Hills serves as the liaison for District 18 of the Ohio Public Works Commission. District 18 includes Athens, Belmont, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, and Washington Counties. The local small government committee submitted ten projects to the Ohio Public Works Commission to compete for $27 million available this year in the Small Government Program (Round 23).
The State Capital Improvement/Local Transportation Improvements Programs (SCIP/LTIP), funded by the OPWC provides 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 one hundred forty million dollars into district 18 to assist local governments develop infrastructure.
Only subdivisions with a population of 5,000 or less may compete for the funds. Buckeye Hills staff submitted ten projects in December 2008. In February 2009, six of the ten projects submitted were selected to receive funding by the Ohio Small Government Capital Improvements Commission. Those projects were:
1. Village of Matamoras - Washington County
Project name: Raw Water Main Replacement
OPWC Grant: $0
OPWC Loan: $277,000
Total Project Cost: $277,000
2. Village of Frazeysburg, Muskingum County
Project name: Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements
OPWC Grant: $322,443
OPWC Loan: $138,190
Total Project Cost: $1,215,992
3. Village of Powhatan Point, Belmont County
Project name: Sewer Relining Project Phase I
OPWC Grant: $165,270
OPWC Loan: $29,165
Total Project Cost: $262,750
4. Village of Dresden, Muskingum County
Project name: Trunk Line Sanitary Sewer Replacement
OPWC Grant: $0
OPWC Loan: $547,295
Total Project Cost: $547,295
5. Village of Shadyside, Belmont County
Project name: Shadyside Water System Improvements
OPWC Grant: $0
OPWC Loan: $499,000
Total Project Cost: $1,714,000
6. Barlow Township, Washington County
Project name: Barlow TR-29 Full Depth Base Reconstruction
OPWC Grant: $143,492
OPWC Loan: $53,500
Total Project Cost: $266,205
Additional information on the Small Government process or the Ohio Public Works Commission can be found at www.pwc.state.oh.us, or contact Buckeye Hills' Michelle Hyer, District 18 Liaison at 740-374-9436 or by e-mail at mhyer@buckeyehills.org.
Athens County: Changes to Economic Development
The Athens County Economic Council announced the resignation of Pres. Jennifer Simon, who took a position with The Ohio Univ. Innovation Center. Assistant Economic Developer Todd Shelton will serve as the interim director. The Athens ED Council also has a new web site: www.businessremixed.com.
Monroe County: Changes to Economic Development Following funding reductions for the position of Workforce and Economic Developer, a position paid through JFS, Tom Scott was hired by the non-profit Team Monroe as their Community Developer. Scott will be paid with private funds and donations solicited from citizens and businesses. During the first year he will also seek funding to sustain his position. |
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AAA8 Donates Computers to Region's Senior Centers
 As AAA8 upgrades computer equipment, Senior Centers across the region receive equipment donations from AAA8 for use in their centers. The computers that Meigs County is using are 12 years old so this is a very welcome new addition to their equipment inventory. Shown are representatives from Meigs, Monroe, and Noble Centers with AAA8 Planner Mindy Cayton.
AAA8 Announces 2009 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
 Seniors in the region, who meet the eligibility guidelines, will soon be receiving some welcome relief from rising food budgets. The Washington County Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides income-eligible senior citizens with special coupons worth $50 to buy produce.
A list of sign-up dates and locations for the program and other local resources is available on the AAA8 web site. Also present at the some registration events will be representatives from The Ohio Benefit Bank.
Local farmers are also needed to participate in the Market program. Farmers may sell seasonal items as long as the farmer grows at least 51 percent of the produce sold and does not purchase produce from a wholesaler (one who does not grow the produce). A farmer may buy the rest of the produce - 49 percent of what is sold from other local farmers.
For more details on what products are included in the program or to become an authorized SFMNP farmer, contact the Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8) at 1-800-331-2644 or visit www.areaagency8.org. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
The Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a USDA program in which grants are awarded to provide coupons to low-income seniors on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals are eligible for the Senior Farmers' Market if they are 60 + and have an annual income of $20,035 or less as a single person ($26,954 or less for a household of two). These SFMNP coupons may be exchanged for eligible foods from authorized farmers. Only fresh, locally grown fruits, herbs and vegetables are eligible to be purchased with the coupons.
The Ohio Department of Aging and AAA8 have partnered with local service providers to implement the program in Southeastern Ohio. Partners include: Athens Department of Jobs and Family Services (JFS); Hocking County JFS; Meigs Senior Center; Morgan County Office on Aging; GMN Tri-County Community Action in Noble County (Joyce M. Davis Senior Center) and Monroe County GMN Tri-County Community Action (Monroe County Senior Center); Perry County JFS; Washington County - Belpre, New Matamoras, Beverly and O'Neill Senior Centers.
Each eligible senior receives $50 per person. Each person will receive a total of ten $5 coupons: five $5 coupons valid from May 1- July 31 and five $5 coupons valid from Aug. 1- Oct. 31. Coupons may only be redeemed by authorized participating farmers who sell produce at farmers' markets, or roadside stands. The program will end Oct. 31, 2009. |
2009 Ohio Brownfield ConferenceMark your calendars for the 2009 Ohio Brownfield Conference, to be held May 12-14 at the Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio. Registration information will be sent in the near future from Ohio EPA via email to those on the interested party list. To enroll in the Ohio Brownfield Interested Party List, please visit: http://www.epa.state.oh.us/derr/SABR/Email/email.html. | |
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