Ohio's December Unemployment Rates
Ohio's unemployment rate was 8.1% in December, down from 8.5% in November, The Dec. unemployment rate for Ohio was down from 9.5 percent in Dec. 2010. The U.S. unemployment rate for December was 8.5 percent, down from 8.7 percent in November.
In the Region:
Athens: 7%
Hocking: 8.9%
Meigs: 11.8%
Monroe: 9.6%
Morgan: 11.7%
Noble: 11.1%
Perry: 10.2%
Washington: 8.1%
Minimum Wage Increased
Ohio is among eight states where the minimum wage increased
in 2012 because the pay rates are tied to inflation,
according to a Stateline.org report. Ohio's 30-cent bump is in the middle of the 28- to 37-cent range of increases the states
will experience.
Home Sales Increase
Ohio home sales in November were significantly higher than a year earlier and marked a fifth consecutive month of increases, the
Ohio Association Realtors (OAR) reported, explaining that November sales of 7,416 homes represented an 11.1 percent increase from November 2010.
Source: Capitol Monitor |
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Executive Committee Members:
Fred Shriner:
Perry County Commissioner
Fred has been on the Buckeye Hills Board since elected Perry County Commissioner in 2005. Prior to being a Commissioner he worked for the Federal Government at the Farm Service Agency and Soil Conservation Service in Perry and Fairfield County.
He certainly gained a lot of knowledge about what Buckeye Hills does working with the different communities.
"I'm impressed with so many different services such as Passport, Meals On Wheels, water and sewer projects, and the many grants that provide benefits to economic development in Perry County and all of the Appalachian Region," said Shriner.
Fred is married to Peggy and they have two sons and four grandchildren who help on the farm. He has farmed all his life raising corn, wheat, soybeans, alfalfa hay and feeding and tending cattle on about 160 acres of land they own and working on 340 acres of rented land.
Joe Matthews,
Marietta Mayor
Buckeye Hills welcomes Marietta City Mayor Joe Matthews back to the Executive Committee. He also serves on The Appalachian Development Corporation Board.
Joe was born and raised in Marietta. He is a graduate of Marietta High School, and a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. At the end of his military service, Joe worked in business for seven years before beginning a 23 year career as a firefighter and EMT for the City of Marietta, retiring in 1990.
After a short break, Joe continued his work in public service when he was elected Mayor of Marietta in 1991. Joe held the position for three terms. Since leaving office in 2003, Joe has continued to devote his time to public service and volunteering.
During his time as Mayor, Joe was an ambassador for the city. He devoted his time and efforts into making Marietta a great place in which to live, and worked to promote tourism and attract businesses. |
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Buckeye Hills Advocates for Appalachia
 Leaders from Buckeye Hills met with U.S. Congressman Bill Johnson (R) 6th District who visited the Buckeye Hills office in Marietta last month to learn more about issues facing the region and the programs offered by the Area Agency on Aging 8.
Shown with Johnson (center) are Exec. Director Misty Casto and AAA8 Director Rick Hindman.
Ohio's 6th Congressional District is made up of a dozen counties in eastern and southeastern Ohio. The district runs along the Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky borders, following the Ohio River on its meandering journey south. There are a dozen counties -- either full or partial -- that make up the 6th Congressional District: Mahoning, Columbiana, Jefferson, Belmont, Monroe, Noble, Washington, Athens, Meigs, Gallia, Lawrence and Scioto Counties (Bold are counties in BH-HVRDD region). |
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Buckeye Hills GIS Program Provides Updates
Buckeye Hills is pleased to be a regional partner for strengthening Geographic Information Systems (GIS) resources.
 2012 bhgis Communities Welcome!
Reservations are now being accepted for the 2012 season of the bhgis community based data collection program. The first five communities to sign up will be completed during 2012. For more information visit www.bhgis.org. For further information or for project demonstration contact GIS Manager Bret Allphin at 740-376-1028.
The 2011 data collection included Somerset (Perry), Albany (Athens), Middleport and Pomeroy (Meigs) being completed during the year. GIS Specialist Jason Pyles completed all data collection activities (he's shown at left standing; kneeling is Bret Allphin.)
 GIS Supports Shale Efforts
Also with the partnership of the Appalachian Ohio Geospatial Data Partnership (AOGDP), Buckeye Hills and the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District collaborated to create an online parcel data viewer for Noble County, to support ongoing shale and petroleum explorations taking place in the county. The viewer can be accessed at www.bhgis.org/nobleparcel.
Census Information Available
Summary data from the 2010 US Census are now available. An interactive map online at www.buckeyehills.org and summary data are also available online at:http://buckeyehills.org/subpages/census_2010. Buckeye Hills has the most regularly used data from the 2010 census available for counties, townships, and communities in the district on the website.
In the near future, we will be adding data from The American Community Survey (ACS) five year estimates that were released December 8, 2011. This is the first five year estimate released since the conception of the ACS, and covers years 2006-2010, all geographies. The ACS collects data annually rather than the once every 10 years as was done in previous cycles by the census long form.
The ACS has replaced the census long form, which was previously where we garnered the detailed income, housing, and population information used. There are three levels of data available from the ACS, one year estimates, three year estimates, and five year estimates. Data availability from the ACS for local areas is determined by population.
One year estimates are available for any geographies with a population of 65,000 or more; three year estimates are available for geographies with populations of 20,000 or more; five year estimates are available for all geographies down to the block group level, regardless of population. |
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 Buckeye Hills Revolving Loan Fund to Host "Local" Office Hours Across Region
The Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District's Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) continues to see business success stories and support job growth across the region. Programs like it are one of the primary economic development tools serving small businesses in rural areas.
To support local loan requests, the RLF program has partnered with a variety of partners across the 8-county region to host an in-county office location and times each month.
County: Athens
Day: First Tuesday of Every Month
Location: Economic Development Office: 340 West State St., Athens
County: Hocking
Day: Third Wednesday of Every Month
Location: Economic Development Office: 4 E. Main Street, Courthouse, Logan
County: Meigs
Day: First Wednesday of Every Month
Location: Economic Development Office: 238 W. Main Street, Pomeroy
County: Morgan
Day: Second Wednesday of Every Month
Location: Economic Development Office: 242 E. Main Street, McConnelsville
County: Monroe
Day: Fourth Tuesday of Every Month
Location: To Be Determined
County: Noble
Day: Second Tuesday of Every Month
Location: OSU Extension Office, 150 Court House, Caldwell
County: Perry
Day: Third Tuesday of Every Month
Location: Economic Development Office: 526 Mill Street, New Lexington
County: Washington
Day: By Appointment
Location: Buckeye Hills Office: 1400 Pike Street, Marietta, OH
"Since the inception of the RLF Program, it has made loans totaling more than $7.5 million," said Buckeye Hills Business Development Coordinator Tina Meunier. "These loans have created and retained hundreds of jobs across the region. If someone has a plan for a new business or is ready to take their existing business to the next level, the Revolving Loan Program may be the resource they need to make that plan a reality."
RLF loans fill the 'gap' between conventional bank financing, owner equity and the total amount necessary to complete a proposed business project. Eligible activities include: acquiring or improving land and buildings; construction; new machinery or equipment; and working or start-up capital needs.
Revolving loans include fixed interest rates and terms of 3-12 years, depending on the collateral used to secure the loan. Because one full-time job equivalent (40 hours per week) must be created or retained for every $25,000 of Revolving Loan financing, these loans focus on creating jobs. There are special financial eligibility considerations for the Appalachian Regional Commission's distressed counties of Athens, Meigs, Morgan and Noble.
To request a brochure to learn more about terms, rates and the business requirements of Revolving Loan Fund programs, contact Tina Meunier at 740-376-1033.
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Clean Ohio Brownfields Program Update
Important announcements and updates to the Clean Ohio Brownfields program and related programs are listed below. Please contact the Office of Redevelopment at 614.995.2292 or visit the website for additional information: http://www.development.ohio.gov/urban/
Clean Ohio Assistance Fund Update
Effective immediately: The Clean Ohio Assistance Fund is no longer accepting applications. If you have a project and would like to discuss other funding opportunities please contact Ohio Department of Development office.
For questions concerning the COAF program please contact Shane Mathey at 614.466.1235.
Upcoming Conferences/Training/Grant Opportunities:
Brownfields Multi-Purpose Pilot Grant Guidelines - Request for Proposals
The EPA is piloting a new grant program that will provide a single grant to an eligible entity for both assessment and cleanup work at a specific brownfield site owned by the applicant. These grants may be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum or hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum). An applicant may request up to $200,000 ($350,000 with a waiver) for assessment activities and $200,000 for direct cleanup activities at the same site. The total available for each grant is $400,000 or $550,000 with a waiver. Only applicants who have received an EPA Brownfields grant in 2003 or later are eligible to apply for the multi-purpose pilot grant. The proposal deadline is February 10, 2012. Guidelines for the Multi-Purpose Pilot Grant
RE-POWERING FEASIBILITY STUDIES: USEPA Region 5 is announcing a grant opportunity to local governments and community organizations to conduct an alternative-energy feasibility study on brownfields and mine-scarred lands. ODOD is offering assistance with the grant application, as well as general guidance through the federal grant process for any interested applicant. Please contact Erin Hazelton at 614.728.1258 for more information.
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AAA8 Partners with Marietta Health System on
Care Transitions Pilot
 The Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8) and the Memorial Health System are piloting a free Care Transitions service to assist patients when they are sent home from the hospital.
The Care Transitions program is designed to assist patients as they transition from the hospital to home and help reduce recurrent hospitalizations by providing key resources. Participating patients are supported by a Transitions Coach for four weeks after discharge. The goal is to empower patients and caregivers with tools, skills and information to develop long-lasting health management skills.
"Care Transitions is a program that has been tested in other states and proven to be effective in helping prevent folks from returning to the hospital," said AAA8 Director Rick Hindman. "We are very excited about the Marietta area pilot and the partnership it is creating across the health system."
The Transitions Coach works with the family to identify caregiver supports and review key needs as well as to refer to a variety of community resources. Key components also include a close monitoring of medication management, getting patients to key follow-up medical visits and keeping good records.
According to Memorial Health System CEO Scott Cantley, "Care Transitions supports patients in learning more about their illness and healthcare needs. We encourage our patients to ask questions to better understand and manage their illnesses, to know their medications, and to communicate and follow up with their doctors."
"There is an obvious underlying goal to reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions and reduce Medicare costs, but more importantly, the goal is to put in place proven supports for individuals to help them heal and be at home - where most people say they would rather be. The Area Agency on Aging is focused on connecting individuals to key home and community-based care resources," added Hindman.
Marietta-area resident Patricia Uhl benefitted from the Care Transitions program following her recent stay in the hospital. "It was very helpful to have these nice people help me," said Patricia. She explained that she returned to Marietta to be near her three daughters following 18 years in Florida.
The Care Transitions program is supported by the Southeast Ohio Aging & Disability Resource Network (ADRN) and provided at no charge to patients. For more information on the AAA8 or ADRN, contact 1-800-331-2644 or visit www.areaagency8.org.
PASSPORT Program
Supports Region's Seniors and Caregivers
At a recent Caregiver recognition Luncheon, Morgan County resident Galen Finley sang the praises of programs offered through the Area Agency on Aging 8 to families in the region.
Galen's mother, Lucille, was a client of the PASSPORT program for over four years while he cared for her prior to her death at age 101.
"It was a God-send," said Galen. "PASSPORT and other services allowed me to care for her and still be able to do things at the church and in the community -- without it, I would've been devastated."
Galen serves as minister with the Church of the Gospel Ministry in McConnelsville. He cared for his mother for 34 years. The PASSPORT program provided support to Galen as the primary caregiver through an emergency response system, necessary medical equipment as well as critical personal care services. PASSPORT is helping families in the region providing In-Home care for eligible seniors age 60+
"Funded through Medicaid, last year PASSPORT allowed about 1,200 seniors in our region to remain at home for a fraction of the cost of a nursing home placement," said Rick Hindman, AAA8 Director. "This in-home program serves as a substantial cost-saving measure for the state, as well being the much preferred choice for seniors."
According to AARP, nine out of 10 people surveyed would prefer to receive long-term care services in their own home or community. The average annual PASSPORT care plan in the AAA8 region is $12,516 as compared to the average annual nursing home costs of $60,000."
Anyone interested in learning more should request a free in-home consultation and details on PASSPORT, CHOICES or Assisted Living options by calling AAA8 at 1-800-331-2644 or by visiting www.areaagency8.org . |
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