Ohio October
Unemployment Rates
Ohio's unemployment rate was 10.5 percent in October, up from 10.1 percent in September.
Rates in the region:
Athens: 8.5%
Hocking: 10.7%
Meigs: 14.5%
Monroe: 12%
Morgan: 14.6%
Noble: 14.5%
Perry: 13%
Washington: 9.3%
Healthy Communities Through Active Transportation Conference
On March 30, 2010, at the Riffe Center in downtown Columbus federal, state and local safety officials are planning a one day conference that will promote the development of healthy communities through the proper design of infrastructure, land use, and natural resources.
Mark Fenton, former host of the PBS series "America's Walking", will be the featured speaker and national and state experts from the health and planning communities are committed.
More information can be found at the website.
Space is limited, so please register on the website as early as possible.
It's free and CPDs for engineers will be offered. ODOT is also obtaining AICP credits for some sessions.
Census Expected to Boost Economy
The census should provide a short-term boost for the economy through the employment of over one million persons nationwide. Eighteen local census offices already are open in cities across Ohio.
This is a massive enterprise trying to count about 310 million people with 134 million forms being mailed out. Over a million people will be hired through July. This is the largest effort that this country does -- this is larger than wartime initiatives.
The Census Bureau plans to roll out a paid advertising blitz that from January to March is expected to rival that of the McDonald's corporation. This is a census of the population of the United States. It has political implications, but the collection of this data is not a partisan event.
Results of the census will determine the number of representatives each state sends to the U.S. House. Ohio is expected to lose at least one, and perhaps two, seats from the current 18-member delegation because its population growth has not kept pace with the country.
State Treasurer Kevin Boyce, chairs Ohio's state committee.
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Initial Ohio letters would be mailed in March alerting households about an upcoming questionnaire for Census Day, April 1.
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Ohio State University has its own Complete Count Committee because college students tend to be undercounted.
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The 2010 census form, with 10 basic questions, is one of the shortest in recent decades.
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About 3.4 million applications are expected for over one million census related jobs available nationally.
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Census workers will wear badges with identification when conducting visits to households that fail to return questionnaires.
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Unlike the 2000 Census, no online questionnaires are being accepted because of concern about scamming and a lack of security. | |
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Federal Grant Awarded to Promote Economic Growth in Appalachian Counties
The EDA has granted $401,333 to Ohio University's Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs to aid in efforts to promote economic growth in Ohio's Appalachian counties including the Buckeye Hills 8-county region.
The Voinovich School will partner with BH-HVRDD to identify areas in which communities might focus such as business attraction, retention or expansion. The grant will help identify resources that will aid communities in developing targeted economic growth strategies.
Latest Combined Ohio EPA and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Water Projects Funded
An additional $69.3 million has been obligated to fund 38 water quality improvement projects in Ohio using U.S. EPA stimulus funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) along with loans from Ohio EPA. Projects receiving ARRA subsidies are combined with low-interest loans through the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) for drinking water projects or Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) for water pollution control projects.
Listed below are projects in the BH-HVRDD region receiving funds through WSRLA:
- Athens (Athens County) received a $320,000 ARRA subsidy to combine with a $480,000 interest-free WSRLA loan totaling $800,000 to upgrade the Curtis Street pump station and replace water lines between the pump station and a water tank;
- Middleport (Meigs County) received a $2.8 million ARRA subsidy to combine with a $709,127 interest-free loan totaling more than $3.5 million to replace water lines, develop a new well and properly abandon 11 existing wells;
- Old Straitsville Water Association (Hocking County) received a $836,000 ARRA subsidy to combine with a $357,647 interest-free loan totaling nearly $1.2 million to extend water lines to the unincorporated areas of Rockbridge and Enterprise;
- Shawnee (Perry County) received a $309,598 ARRA subsidy to combine with a $78,688 interest-free loan totaling $388,286 to replace water lines and a booster station;
- Tri-County Water and Sewer District (Noble, Washington and Morgan counties) received a $450,615 ARRA subsidy to combine with a $111,076 interest-free loan totaling $561,691 to extend water lines to Lightner Ridge and Ellis Roads;
- Woodsfield (Monroe County) received a $103,113 ARRA subsidy to combine with a $194,278 interest-free loan totaling $297,391 to replace an existing cast iron water line on Eastern Avenue and connect existing water lines on Moose Road extension.
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Monroe County: Voith Hydro Brings Jobs
 Voith, a generator stator assembly facility, has begun work at its new facilities located at the former Ormet rolling mill. On hand for the occasdion were, from left, Ohio Congressmaan Charlie Wilson; Representative Jennifer Garrison; Ohio Governor Ted Strickland; Jolene Thompson, American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) senior vice-president and OMEA executive director; and Mark Garner, president and CEO of Voith Hydro, Inc.
 Marietta College Physician Assistant Program
With support from a $250,000 ARC grant, the Marietta College Physician Assistant (PA) Program is now equipped and in its new home. PAs are health care providers who practice medicine with physician supervision. They provide health care in a variety of practice settings, from family medicine to specialties.
 The need for physician assistants is expected to increase by 27% from now until 2016 as the number of people needing access to healthcare increases. It is the goal of the Marietta College Physician Assistant Program to increase the number of healthcare providers in both primary care and specialty settings, by providing students knowledge and skills in the practice of medicine under the supervision of a physician. The expansion of the program from 24 to 36 students by 2010 will enhance and expand this vital contribution to the region's healthcare workforce.  Port Authority & ODOT Launch River Cargo Feasibility Study
The SE Ohio Port Authority and ODOT are working together to
study the feasibility of increased container shipping along the Ohio River to help create jobs, reduce shipping costs for area manufacturers and provide relief to overcrowded highways and aging rail systems.
Area manufacturers and business leaders were on hand when the $200,000 feasibility study got under way. The nine-month study, the first of its kind in Ohio, is being funded by ODOT and is asking businesses and companies in the region to provide details about their shipping and receiving habits. The group heading up the study insists any information provided will be kept private.
Port Authority Director Mike Jacoby said Marietta is an ideal candidate for such a port because the area has industry, river access and existing rail and highway systems.
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AAA8 Takes Part in Monroe County Assisted Living Groundbreaking Ceremonies
 AAA8 Director spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony held in Nov. for the Monroe County Care Center's Assisted Living facility addition. The project was made possible with the aid of a $250,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development State Appalachia Grant Program. One of the primary goals of of the program is to promote health care access across the region.
The new 10,745 square feet facility will house 15 assisted living apartments consisting of eight one bedroom and seven efficiency units, a central living room, country kitchen, private dining area, beauty shop and laundry facilities.
This project will help fulfill the need for affordable assisted living services in Woodsfield and the surrounding areas.
Joined Hearts in Giving Nominations Due Dec. 15
The Ohio Department of Aging is accepting nominations for its Joined Hearts in Giving award, which recognizes Ohio couples married 40 years or longer who share a commitment to each other and to their communities through volunteer service. Individuals and organizations interested in nominating neighbors, colleagues, family members or friends may download a nomination form or submit a nomination online. The department will accept nominations through Dec. 15, 2009.
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