Ohio's Aug.
Unemployment Rates
Ohio's unemployment rate was 10.1 percent in August, down slightly from 10.3 percent in July.
In the Region:
Athens: 9.7%
Hocking: 10.1%
Meigs: 14.2%
Monroe: 13.1%
Morgan: 13.3%
Noble: 13.3%
Perry: 11.9%
Wash.: 8.3%
Census Updates:
Buckeye Hills has been receiving calls and visits of people looking for census 2010 data (already). The census is technically still going on now. To learn more about its current status, click here.
The state counts will be presented to the President late in December of 2010.
The Congress will receive the number in January 2011.
Local Counts of cities, villages and townships will be released late March 2011."
Source: http://www.census.ohio.gov/
OPWC Round 25 Updates
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 final deadline for comments/changes for OPWC Round 25 applications was September 17. The County sub committees are awarding points and the District 18 Executive Committee will meet October 20 to approve projects for Round 25.
NRAC Round 7
Natural Resource Assistance Council
Applications are now available. Eligible projects include:
- purchase of open space and the cost associated with making them accessible to the general public; and
- protection of stream corridors (providing wildlife habitat or reducing erosion). For more details, contact Michelle Hyer at Buckeye Hills.
2010 Ohio & West Virginia Municipal Clerks' Career Development Program
Educational opportunities for the Clerk of Council or Fiscal Officer in communities and counties is available on the Kent State web site from the 2010 Ohio & West Virginia Municipal Clerks' Career Development Program
and Master Municipal Clerk Academy. Please pass this information along to Clerks in your area!
Appalachia's Educational Assets: Investing in a Skilled Future conference
Appalachian communities facing economic challenges are finding creative new ways to use local resources to stimulate and support the local economy. Expanding the use of existing educational assets-both physical and knowledge based-is one such path to promoting sustainable economic development. By taking full advantage of local education programs, services, and infrastructure, communities can enhance educational achievement and workforce skills and readiness, helping to attract investment and create local jobs.
ARC's October 2010 Appalachia's Educational Assets: Investing in a Skilled Future conference will help you learn how your community can leverage its assets to help build and sustain stronger local economies. Presenters will address such topics as retooling the workforce, expanding instructional capacity through technology, building a healthy and educated workforce, and supporting entrepreneurial training. See the conference agenda to learn more.
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 Buckeye Hills AAA8 Receives National Awards
The Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging (AAA8), received 2010 Innovation Awards from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation for its Geographic Information Systems Client Mapping Projectand Diners Choice Nutrition Program. Shown at the NADO conference accepting the award at the Annual Convention is (from left): John Curtis, Exec. Committee; Rick Hindman; NADO Rep. (Immediate Past Pres.) J. Michael Norton; Bret Allphin; and Marietta Mayor Moon Mullen, Exec. Committee. |
Buckeye Hills Hosts Infrastructure Conference
Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District hosted a Community and Economic Development Infrastructure Planning Conference in September sponsored by EMH&T, HzW Environmental Consultants, Keramida, Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., Swiss Valley Associates, URS Corporation and W.E. Quicksall & Assoc.
Representatives from a variety of agencies including USDA Rural Development, Ohio Public Works, The Ohio Dept. of Development, The Ohio Dept. of Transportation, and The Governor's Office of Appalachia shared details on funding opportunities and the role of their agencies with infrastructure programs. Shown above is Chris Shaffer, Director of The Governor's Office of Appalachia sharing details about The Appalachian Region Commission programs. |
| Buckeye Hills Partners with Statewide
Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund Program
 Buckeye Hills will administer a new statewide Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program developed by The Ohio Dept. of Agriculture and The Ohio State University South Centers. The AG RLF will provide loans to all eligible applicants to assist with the creation or expansion of agriculture ventures that focus on aquaculture, food processing and bioenergy. Other agricultural projects will also be considered.
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Assisted Living Waiver Featured on Legislator Visit
 When Ohio implemented the Assisted Living Waiver Program, Riverside Country Care was the first facility to provide the service in the AAA8 region. Recently, AAA8 staff invited Ohio Rep. Debbie Phillips to visit with Waiver clients at the McConnelsville (Morgan County) Assisted Living location. Shown standing from left are Jane Skeen, LSW; AAA8 Home Care Director and Rep. Phillips. Seated is AL Waiver client David Kaneff. Kneeling from left is AAA8 Case Manager, Alta Coffman, RN and Riverside Unit Manager Debbie Burnside RN.
Burnside noted that she has been with Riverside since 1983 and with the unit since it opened in 2006. "When we added the Waiver program, it made the options here more equal opportunity to all Morgan County residents," added Burnside.
"We are pleased that Riverside is part of the Assisted Living Waiver program that provides long-term care choices to aging individuals in our region," said Jane Skeen, LSW, AAA8 Home Care Director. "We are always looking for additional assisted living sites for the program." |
Around the District:
Athens County: Foundation for Appalachian Ohio Receives Grant
 U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio) presented the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio with a $47,615 grant check from the Appalachian Regional Commission in Nelsonville. With these funds, the foundation will help educators, businesses and other organizations work together to create educational opportunities, leading to an increase in the number of students from Appalachian Ohio who complete post-secondary education. Sen. Voinovich wrote a letter of support for the foundation's grant application. Shown from Left to right: Mike Workman of the Morgan County Community Improvement Corporation; State Sen. Jimmy Stewart, R-20th District; U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich; Cara Brook of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio; Joe Hamrock of AEP Ohio; Dave Wilhelm of Adena Ventures; Mike Brooks of Rocky Brands; and Chris Schaffer of the Ohio Governor's Office of Appalachia.
Small Business Administration Declares Athens County Disaster Area
The U.S. Small Business Administration has declared Athens County a disaster area, a move that will make low-interest loans available to residents of Athens County and adjoining counties that suffered uninsured losses in the Sept. 16 tornadoes and storms.
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 AAA8 Participated in Annual Aging Conference
Nearly 30 AAA8 staff participated in the O4A Annual Conference on Aging in Sept. The event has been Ohio's largest conference on home and community-based care for over 20 years! This conference offers attendees new resources, innovative products and services, expert information and key contacts. The Luncheon keynote speaker was Ohio's First Lady Frances Strickland. Shown with her (from left) are Rick Hindman, AAA8 Director; Larke Recchie, O4A Exec. Direstor; First Lady Frances Strickland and Duanna Patton, Pres., O4A.
 Be a Fan of Buckeye Hills AAA8 Facebook!
 Check us out on Facebook! AAA8 has launched a new Facebook page. We hope you will visit and be a fan as well as share your thoughts and ideas on issues relating to serving seniors and caregivers! AAA8 Provides Assistance with Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Applications
 The state has released the income eligibility guidelines for the federally funded Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Households are eligible for HEAP assistance if their income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, an increase from the previous level of 175 percent.
The state's Home Energy Assistance Program assists eligible low-income Ohioans meet the cost of home energy bills. The Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Development's Office of Community Services, pays a one-time payment for the current winter heating season. Households with elderly or disabled members may qualify for a larger amount of assistance. A special component of HEAP, the Winter Crisis Program, is administered by Community Action agencies.
The Winter Crisis Program provides assistance once per heating season to eligible households that are disconnected, threatened with disconnection, or have less than a 10 day supply of bulk fuel. To be eligible for home energy assistance, the total household income of an applicant must be at or below 200 percent of the 2009 federal poverty guidelines listed below:
Size of Household: Total Household Income: (Twelve Months)
1 up to $ 21,660; 2 up to $ 29,140; 3 up to $ 36,620; 4 up to $ 44,100;
5 up to $ 51,580; 6 up to $ 59,060; 7 up to $ 66,540; 8 up to $ 74,020
For households with more than eight members, add $7,480 per member to the yearly income.
Applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program are now being accepted. Copies are available at www.areaagency8.org. For assistance, seniors should call AAA8 at 1-800-331-2644. |
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 Buckeye Hills Staff Supports Alzheimers Association Event On the Move ... The Buckeye Hills Staff Team (The Movers & Groovers) Surpassed their $500 goal to raise over $2,000 for The Alzheimer's Assocation Walk event. The Buckeye Hills team was part of nearly 300 participants who walked to raise more than $28,000 for the local association. AAA8 was also a Bronze sponsor. |
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