Ohio November
Unemployment Rates
Ohio's unemployment rate was 10.6 percent in November, relatively unchanged from 10.5 percent in October. In the BH-HVRDD region, there were three counties above 14% and six counties above the Ohio rate.
Rates in the region:
Athens: 8.7%
Hocking: 11.3%
Meigs: 14.7%
Monroe: 13.1%
Morgan: 15.5%
Noble: 14.8%
Perry: 12.9%
Washington: 9.2%
Perry County Economic Development Summit: Jan. 8
Ohio Senator Tim Schaffer (R-31st District) will be hosting an Economic Development Summit on Friday, Jan. 8 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the New Lexington Community Center (600 Senior Center Dr.).
Tina Meunier the Buckeye Hills Revolving Loan Fund Manager will be a panel speaker. The Perry County Chamber and Small Business Development Center are co-hosting the Summit. The event is open to all and is free. RSVP to 614-466-5838.
New SAFER Grant Deadline
DHS announced on Dec. 17 an extension of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant application deadline to 5 p.m. January 15, 2010. The new extended deadline allows departments to take new conditions into account.
Small Town Economic Development Incentive Strategies Seminar
Can your small community compete in this challenging economic climate? Learn from an expert about proven strategies othersmall towns have used to create a strong businessenvironment and increase community resources.
· Maximize federal, state, and local incentives
· Build a diverse business development toolbox
· Identify and achieve your objectives
When: Thursday, January 14 , 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Registration 9:-9:30a.m.
Where: Stuart's Opera House, 46 Public Square, Nelsonville, Ohio 45764
Cost: $30 (includes lunch) pay in advance;
$35 if paying at the door
Register: Contact ACEnet
Phone 740-592-3854
Fax 740-593-5451
E-mail angiec@acenetworks.org
Lodging: www.athensohio.com
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 New Federal ARC Chair NominatedPresident Barack Obama announced his nomination of Earl F. Gohl, Jr., as the individual to fill a key administration post leading the Appalachian Regional Commission as its Federal Co-Chair. It is anticipated that the nomination will be confirmed in the first quarter of 2010.
Earl Gohl has 20 years of experience in Pennsylvania state and local government, ranging from his first job at the State Association of Boroughs, to serving as the Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Harrisburg; an elected member of the Harrisburg City Council; and Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs. As Deputy Secretary, Mr. Gohl awarded and administered $100 million annually in housing and community development programs benefiting communities within the Appalachian region. He also managed several initiatives to strengthen the capacity of rural local governments to meet economic challenges. In 1996 Mr. Gohl was appointed to serve as Special Assistant and then Associate Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor. Mr. Gohl holds an M.P.A. from Pennsylvania State University and a B.A. from Rider College.
Ohio USDA Rural Development State Director Named  Ohio USDA Rural Development is excited to welcome its new State Director, J. Anthony "Tony" Logan. Appointed by President Obama and in office December 7, 2009, Logan is responsible for the supervision of Rural Development's $500 million plus annual budget administered through more than 40 funding programs.
"This appointment represents a return to my roots. As someone who grew up in rural Ohio, I understand its landscapes, its businesses and its people," said Logan. "Rural Ohio has suffered disproportionately during this economic downturn and the Obama administration has provided USDA Rural Development with new resources to bring jobs to our state. If rural Ohioans are willing to embrace change and innovation, I know there will be better times ahead."
Prior to accepting the state director's appointment, Logan served as Chief Legal Counsel and Wind Policy Coordinator for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in Columbus. As Chief Legal Counsel, Mr. Logan managed the legal affairs of eleven ODNR Divisions, including the Divisions of Wildlife, Mineral Resources Management, Parks, Watercraft, Natural Areas and Soil & Water Conservation. He also oversaw ODNR's wind policy initiatives along with the Governor's Energy Advisor, the Ohio Energy Office and The Ohio Power Siting Board.
Logan began his career in state government as an Assistant Attorney General, where he served in the Division of Criminal Activities and rose to Section Chief of the Crime Victims Compensation. He then served in the Ohio Department of Agriculture as Deputy Director for Legal and Legislative Affairs and later as Assistant Director of the Department.
A native of Trumbull County, Logan was also a partner in private law practice which emphasized agricultural and agri-business representation as well as bankruptcy real estate and oil and gas law. Logan's family operates an 850 acre grain and dairy farm in northern Trumbull County.
Buckeye Hills Broadband Committee Holds Initial Meeting
 Members representing the counties and largest communities across the Buckeye Hills region met in December forming the Buckeye Hills Broadband Committee.
The group received updates from Don Shirley of Connect Ohio and from Tom Reid related to the Connecting Appalachia $188 million proposal submitted for federal funding by The Southern Ohio Healthcare Network. It was noted that the Appalachian region is 40% or less underserved. This plan includes 34 counties from Clermont to Columbiana including 11 of the state's poorest. |
Belmont County: Bennett Receives County Engineer of the Year Award
 Fred Bennett of Belmont County was honored in December with The County Engineer's Association of Ohio's Engineer of the Year Award. Bennett serves on the Buckeye Hills Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Integrating Committee Meigs County: Tuppers Plains Receives Stimulus Sewer Grant
Tuppers Plains Regional Sewer District received a $150,278 ARRA subsidy and a $50,278 interest-free loan totaling $200,556 to repair lagoon dikes; replace a pump house with a weather-proof building; install valves, a primer and lagoon gauges; and purchase a tractor and work truck.
Morgan County: Muskingum Valley Health Centers Receives Stimulus Grant
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) awarded grants to support major construction and renovation projects at 85 community health centers nationwide and help networks of health centers adopt Electronic Health Records (EHR) and other Health Information Technology (HIT) systems. The awards are expected to not only create new job opportunities in construction and health care, but also help provide care for more than half a million additional patients in underserved communities. The Morgan County facility will receive $5,997,980.
 To learn more about ARRA funding awarded across the Buckeye Hills district, visit the county funding site at Ohio Recovery.
Noble County: Caldwell Gets New Mayor
 The Village of Caldwell announced Robert Watson as its new Mayor and conducted swearing-in ceremonies at the Dec. 15 meeting of the Village Council. Village Solicitor Chandra Ontko conducted the swearing-in.
Photo courtesy of The Noble County Journal-Leader. |
AAA8 Takes Part in Athens County Legislator Home Visit
 AAA8 Director, Rick Hindman, met with Ohio Representative Debbie Phillips (D-92nd District) in the home of Athens County PASSPORT client Arvella Lehman to discuss the program, state funding and future needs of seniors.
Shown from left are: Jerri McGhee, Home Health Aide, Cambridge Home Health Care; PASSPORT Client Arvella Lehman; Ohio Representative Debbie Phillips;Jamie Sweeney, LSW, Case Manager with AAA8 andRick Hindman, Director, AAA8.
Photo Courtesy of Cambridge Home Health.
Area Agency on Aging Hosts H1N1, Seasonal Flu and Pneumonia Shot Clinic Jan. 13
 The Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging 8 will host a Seasonal Flu and Pneumonia Shot Clinic Jan. 13 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at its office. Located at 1400 Pike St. in Marietta, AAA8 welcomes the public to reserve an appointment time and a shot for the clinic by calling 373-6400.
H1N1 flu shots will be available at this clinic as well as seasonal and pneumonia shots. Medicare Part B and participating health plans will be accepted with proper documentation of coverage. Private pay rates will include $15 for the H1N1 shot, $30 for a flu shot and $45 for pneumonia.
Contact the Area Agency on Aging 8 at 1-800-331-2644 or visit www.areaagency8.org for details.
 "Snowbirds" Need to Know How to Accurately Respond to 2010 Census
Census Data Determines Significant Portion of Federal Funding Ohio Receives |
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With Census Day 2010 less than four months away, the Ohio Department of Aging is reaching out to Ohioans who live in warmer climates during the winter months, informally known as "snowbirds," to make sure they know how to correctly fill out their 2010 Census form.
"Many federal programs that provide services to Ohio's seniors, including our home delivered meals, long-term care ombudsman program and senior employment program, use census data to determine how much funding Ohio will receive," said Barbara E. Riley, director of the department. "It's vital that we have an accurate count of our residents to ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our state's two million seniors."
The 2010 Census will take place on April 1, 2010, with questionnaires arriving mid-March. Forms are sent to every residence, meaning if you have two residences, such as one here and one in Florida, you will receive forms at both addresses. Snowbirds should list their Ohio residence as their permanent household if they spend the majority of the year here.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, to be counted once, in the right place and at the right time, a snowbird should fill out both of the forms they receive:
- On the form that you receive at your seasonal residence (meaning you spend less than the majority of your year here), the only questions that should be answered are question one and question 10. For question one, enter a "zero." For question 10, select "yes, at seasonal or second residence."
- On the form that you receive at your permanent household (where you spend the majority of your year), you should fill out the entire survey even if you are still at your seasonal residence on April 1. For example, if you live in Ohio eight months a year and another state for four months, your Ohio residence is your permanent household.
- The department also encourages Ohioans to share these tips with friends or family members who have already left for their seasonal residences. The data collected during the 2010 Census will be used to distribute more than $400 billion dollars to states and local communities and also will determine Ohio's representation in the U.S. House of Representatives over the next decade.
The United States Post Office will not forward census questionnaires. In May and June, U.S. Census Bureau employees will visit residences that do not return a form. To avoid a knock on your door, complete your form and mail it back. For more information about the 2010 Census, visit www.2010census.gov. | | |
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