May Ohio
Unemployment Rates
Ohio's unemployment rate was 10.8 percent in May, up from 10.2 percent in April. The U.S. unemployment rate for May was 9.4 percent, up from 8.9 percent in April.
Rates in the region:
Athens: 8.2%
Hocking: 10.7%
Meigs: 14.1%
Monroe: 11.3%
Morgan: 14.8%
Noble: 12.8%
Perry: 13.6%
Washington: 9.1%
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Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Up for First Time in 16 Months
Americans drove more miles in April of this year than they did in April 2008.
According to the the Federal Highway Administration, April's vehicle miles traveled rose 0.6 percent to 249.5 billion compared to 248.1 billion in April 2008.
VMT began moderately decreasing in December 2007, according to FHWA data, which is the same year economists have estimated the nation's economic recession began. Driving declined through 2008 as gas prices reached a record high of more than $4 per gallon in the summer.
Though an increase was recorded for April, year-to-date driving remains down slightly. For the first four months of 2009, driving was 1.1 percent lower than the first third of last year.
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Buckeye Hills Files 2009 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) with EDA
The 2009 CEDS is now available on the Buckeye Hills web site. This report is an annual report based on the 2005 CEDS document, which includes local input on major issues impacting communities in the region. The intent is to evaluate and describe changes in the area's economy, update development goals, strategies, and strategy implementation, as required by EDA.
The CEDS Advisory Committee, which included professionals from a wide and varied field, performed a key role in the identification of program strategies for the region. Any questions may be forwarded to Bret Allphin, GIS Manager.
Ohio University to Host Fall Appalachian Regional Commission Conference
 Gov. Strickland announced this month that Athens will be host to the ARC 2009 Fall Conference Oct. 26-28 at Ohio Univ. The conference, "New Energy. New Jobs". New Opportunities for Appalachia," will give attendees an opportunity to discuss the importance of investing in clean and renewable energy for job creation and conomic development.
Businesses,conomic development leaders, energy experts and public officials from across 13 states will join the regional conference. It will feature sessions on growing jobs in the clean energy sector, including developing energy efficient facilities, renewable enery production and clean coal technologies. |
| AROUND THE DISTRICT:
Monroe County: Governor Delivers School Facility Check
Switzerland of Ohio School District representatives accepted a check for $53,010,672 June 19 as the state's portion needed to build new schools. Governor Ted Strickland and Representative Jennifer Garrison were instrumental in acquiring the money, which is the state's share in building six new schools and the renovation of another. Shown with the check, from left, are front: Larry Elliott, Superintendent SOLSD; Teresa Gallagher, school board; Representative Jennifer Garrison; Janet Hissrich SOLSD treasurer; Governor Ted Strickland. Back: Ron Winkler, Jeff Williamson, school board members; Scott Dierkes, president of school board; and Mike Shoemaker, Ohio School Facilities Commission.
With this check and the support of district voters, there will be a new Beallsville K-12, a new combined Hannibal and Sardis Elementary, a new Powhatan Elementary, a new Monroe Central High School, a new Woodsfield Elementary and a total renovation of River High School.
Rep. Jennifer Garrison and Gov. Strickland were instrumental in acquiring the money and district voters approved an 8.19 mill levy to complete the funding plan. Photo courtesy of Monroe County Beacon.
Noble County: Federal Officials Tour Mahle Facility
The Noble County Community Improvement Corp. invited representatives from Senators Sherrod Brown, George Voinovich and U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson's office to visit the Mahle Plant south of Caldwell. They were given updates on the June timeline for the plant closure and discussed opportunities to find a new company for the facility. |
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Cathy Ash Promoted to AAA8 Programs Manager
Cathy Ash has been promoted to AAA8 Program manager and will continue to report to Director Rick Hindman. She will provide oversight for AAA8 programming. Cathy will also continue her trainer duties at a modified level.
Cathy has been with Buckeye Hills since November 1989. She was originally hired as the Ombudsman Director, but after fifteen years in that position she wanted a change and took on the position of Trainer where she helped train new employees and establish courses for professional CEUs. Cathy has been responsible for building and promoting the Project Lifesaver Program in our eight county region. She spent a lot of time and effort coordinating with the Sherriff's office to help them establish this program. She still continues to promote, educate and train Law Enforcement on this project as well as the RUOK? program.
AAA8 Launches Hospital to Home Program
Helping patients transition from "in-patient" to in-home" care, a new AAA8 program is being made possible in-part due to funds from the American Reinvestment & Recovery Act and Older Americans Act funding.
The AAA8 Hospital to Home Program provides a smooth transition from in-patient to the home. It is designed to be a "warm hand off" from ove level of care to another. It will compliment the existing services provided by hospital discharge planners.
In addition to a Long-Term Care Consultation that provides patients and their families with options and education about types of care, how to pay for it and other factors in making long-term care decisions, the Hospital to Home program will include short-term home delivered meals.
The pilot meals program is available for 60+ who are discharged from the hospital and unable to prepare meals for themselves. Eligible participants will receive five home delivered meals per week for up to four weeks. At the end of four weeks, if the patient is still unable to care for themselves, a second assessment will be performed and a new care plan developed.
To receive a brochure, contact us at 800-331-2644. |
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American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: What's New
- Many local small businesses may soon be eligible for interest-free loans under a new program created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The newly launched "America's Recovery Capital" (ARC) program allows small firms to take out loans of $35,000 to pay down existing business debts. Borrowers pay no interest on the ARC loans and repayment does not begin for one year. The loan program was established through the ARRA. The ARC program will help local entrepreneurs and small business owners pay their bills, retain employees, and hire additional staff.
To qualify for the ARC loans, small firms must demonstrate they are experiencing immediate financial hardship due to the economic downturn, but are otherwise deemed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to be viable. The loans will be made by commercial lenders and can be used for payments of principal and interest for existing, qualifying small business debts like credit card obligations, mortgages, lines of credit, and balances due to suppliers, vendors, and utilities.
To apply for ARC loans, businesses should visit their local SBA-approved small business lenders. The loans will be available through Sept. 30, 2010, or until appropriated funding runs out.
Additional information about the ARC loan program
- $210 million for Fire Station Construction Grant Program- applications due July 10, 2009
- June 26, 2009 - Department of Labor Announces $150 Million in Grants to Provide Training and Combat Poverty
The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, announces the availability of approximately $150 million in grant funds for projects that provide training and placement services to combat poverty. A variety of local and national entities are eligible to apply, and applications are due by September 29th, 2009.
- The U.S. Department of Energy has approved the state's proposal for use of $38 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for the State Energy Program. The funds will be used to help increase the production and use of renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs.
Ohio has received 50 percent of its total $96 million in Recovery Act funding for the program. An initial 10 percent of total funding was previously made available to support planning activities. The remainder of State Energy Program funds will be deployed based on Ohio's performance with this allocation. Specific application guidelines, loan structures, and timelines are forthcoming, and will be available at www.recovery.ohio.gov. |
| Notice of funding availability for $1.5 billion TIGER Discretionary Grants
(June 17): Funds will be awarded to State and local governments who submit applications for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure, including highway or bridge projects, public transportation projects, passenger and freight rail, and port infrastructure investments. Applications for TIGER discretionary grants must be submitted by September 15, 2009, from state and local governments, including U.S. territories, tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities, MPOs and others. Federal Register notice is available at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-14262.pdf. Additional information about the program is available at: http://www.dot.gov/recovery/ost/. | |
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