Ohio's February Unemployment Rates
Ohio's unemployment rate was 7.6% in February, down from 7.7% in January. The U.S. unemployment rate for February was 8.3%, unchanged from January.
By-County rates for February:
Athens: 8.7%
Hocking: 10.1%
Meigs: 13.8%
Monroe: 11.2%
Morgan: 14.3%
Noble: 13%
Perry: 11.5%
Washington: 8.3%
By-County rates
for January:
(not avail. at last issue release) Athens: 8.7% Hocking: 10.2% Meigs: 14.6% Monroe: 11.6% Morgan: 14.3% Noble: 13.2% Perry: 12% Washington: 9.2% 
Ohio Shale Energy 2012: Discovering Supply Chain Opportunities Ohio Shale Energy 2012: Discovering Supply Chain Opportunities will convene industry leaders and regional suppliers on Wednesday, April 11 at the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center in Cambridge, Ohio for networking and learning about how to meet the needs of the growing shale energy industry. Expert speakers will discuss the factors that are driving Ohio's booming shale energy industry and identify opportunities for new and existing businesses. Conference topics will explore oil and gas operations, business planning, preparing for realistic market entry, certification and training, logistics and distribution, and more. Companies currently in the shale energy supply chain and those interested in becoming part of it will benefit from this no-nonsense approach to growing the industry. For more information about the conference, please visit: www.ohioshaleenergy.com APPLICATION PERIOD FOR FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY GRANTS APRIL 2-27, 2012 Visit the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants web page for information on how to apply for a FY 2012 grant. Start by reading Sections I and Section II of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 FP&S Grants Program Guidance and Application Kit. The Kit provides details on what activities will be funded, types of organizations that are eligible to apply, the evaluation criteria, and federal requirements for grantees.
Buckeye Hills Seeks Projects for EDA's Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs
As the economic development agency for Economic Development Administration (EDA) programs, Buckeye Hills is always looking for new projects to support in the pursuit of federal EDA grant funding. To learn more about EDA's Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs, including mission, investment priorities, applicant eligibility and upcoming deadlines, visit www.eda.gov.
The purpose of providing this information for review on a periodic basis is to remind the region of this federal resource and connect Buckeye Hills staff with existing or upcoming projects.
Buckeye Hills is also responsible for developing the region's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) annual report. All project proposals requesting funding from EDA must be included in the most recent CEDS report.
The following are upcoming EDA deadlines:
- June 8, 2012 for Funding Cycle 4 of FY 2012
- September 14, 2012 for Funding Cycle I of FY 2013.
If you would like to discuss a potential project, please contact Bret Allphin at 740-376-1028 with details.
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 Buckeye Hills 2011 "Impact" Report Available The Buckeye Hills 2011 Annual Report will be presented at the Semi-Annual Meeting of the General Policy Council on
April 6.
It is also available online at www.buckeyehills.org.
The report highlights Impacts of the Buckeye Hills programs and services across the 8-county district.
From access to quality health care, broadband and education to critical transportation and water/sewer infrastructure and support for programs such as Geographic Information Systems, Buckeye Hills continues to seek a better quality of life for the district's eight counties and their residents. This year, we were pleased that two district programs, the BizNet Business Retention program and the Connecting Appalachia Broadband project, were recognized with national-level awards.
Total costs for projects completed over the past year were approximately $44 million, with local communities and private businesses leveraging $18.5 million against the $25.5 million provided through state and federal funding sources. Administrative costs were $566,099. For every $1 in administration spent, Buckeye Hills leveraged $77 in project dollars.
The aging of America is creating new challenges and opportunities for the system providing resources to older adults, those with disabilities and their caregivers. To help communities respond to these challenges, AAA8 continues to work with its partners at the federal, state, and community levels to strengthen the region's capacity.
Our network of providers delivered more than $12.8 million in services across the region last year. They also helped establish the Southeast Ohio Aging & Disability Resource Network -- a community-based resource where older adults and persons with disabilities can get information,counseling and streamlined access to long-term support options. The ADRN's goal is multipleorganizations working together for greater impact!
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 Buckeye Hills Announces Staffing Updates
Buckeye Hills is pleased to announce that Bret Allphin has been promoted to Development Director. He has built the organization's Geographical Information Systems (GIS) program and been an integral partner in developing extended GIS programs in the greater Appalachian region as well. Bret earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, with a minor in Leadership Studies from Marietta College. He began work with Buckeye Hills as a college intern in 2001.
Michelle Hyer has also been promoted to Development Specialist 3/District 18 Liaison. Michelle has been with Buckeye Hills since 1997. She works as the Ohio Public Works Commission District 18 representative and coordinates Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) activities for Washington County as well as CDBG water and sewer projects.
Jason Pyles also joined Buckeye Hills as a full-time employee to coordinate GIS activities. He has worked as a college intern and part-time employee over the past two years. He graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor's degree in Geography with a specialization in Geographic Information Systems.
 Appalachian Ohio Geospatial Data Partnership Launches Parcel Projects in Noble and Guernsey Counties
The Appalachian Ohio Geospatial Data Partnership (AOGDP) is pleased to announce that parcel data is now available online for Noble and Guernsey Counties. The information can be viewed at www.bhgis.org.
The projects were made possible by AOGDP formed in partnership by Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District (BH-HVRDD) the Voinovich School at Ohio University and the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District.
"The Appalachian Partnership is a 15-county cooperative Geographic Information Systems group that works to level the playing field and bring Southeastern Ohio to the forefront of GIS in Ohio," said Buckeye Hills Development Director Bret Allphin,GISP, who is also certified in GIS services. "The Noble and Guernsey projects were selected first because of the expanded activity related to ongoing shale and petroleum explorations taking place in the county."
The Noble viewer can be accessed at www.bhgis.org/nobleparcel.
The Guernsey viewer can be accessed at www.bhgis.org/guernseyparcel.
To learn more about AOGDP, visit www.geospatialpartnership.org.
 Meigs County Celebrates 40 Years of Service to Seniors
Rick Hindman (shown on the right), director of the Area Agency on Aging 8 and Assistant Executive Director of Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District, presented to Beth Shaver and Carson Crow, Board of Trustees president, a framed Resolution from the Board of Directors at Buckeye Hills recognizing the work of the Meigs County Council Aging over the past 40 years.
Beth Shaver, Meigs COA Executive Director gave a brief history of the Council on Aging over the past 40 years and called the organizers "pioneers in the field of aging."
Photo courtesy of Pomeroy Daily Sentinel
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 ARC, EDA & USDA Announce Rural Jobs & Innovation Accelerator Challenge The ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl F. Gohl (at left) and USDA Deputy Under Secretary Doug O'Brien (at podium) were in Ohio last month to explain how projects funded through the Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge can boost entrepreneurial development in rural areas. Also shown is Ohio USDA Director Tony Logan (at right). Learn more about The Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge at www.arc.gov.  What is the Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge?
The Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge leverages existing financial and technical assistance resources from 13 federal agencies and bureaus to spur economic growth in rural areas in approximately 20 regions to be selected through a competitive inter-agency grant process. The Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement will open from March 8, 2012 to May 9, 2012. The Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge offers a combination of $15 million in funding from four agencies and technical assistance resources from nine additional agencies and bureaus. This opportunity will support customized solutions targeted to address the gaps and opportunities specific for individual regions by strengthening linkages to self-identified, high-potential industry clusters in competitively selected rural regions across the nation and across all sectors. Funds awarded to the winning applicants can be used to support and accelerate a range of projects including improving rural communities' capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or economic and community development along with creation of regional linkages that connect communities with innovation clusters and regional opportunities leading to job creation, expanded markets, and economic growth. |
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 Person-Centered Care Coalition Conference Inspires Culture Change in Long-term Care
Staff from the Ombudsman Program at AAA8 attended The Ohio Person-Centered Care Coalition Conference, "Creating Home through Choice and Purpose," held this week in Columbus. The event informed and encouraged more than 600 professionals in aging that are eager to change the culture of their industry. Nationally recognized speakers shared their expertise on how to create "home" in long-term care settings focused on person-centered values of choice, dignity, respect, self-determination and purposeful living.
Shown above from left are Darlene Vandine, Sue Davidson and Ombudsman Director Kim Flanigan.
The AAA8 region will also host a training on April 12 (at the Kate Love Simpson Library in McConnelsville) including round-table discussions on Person-Centered Care as well as a training by Erin Pettigrew of the Ohio Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office who will introduce the technical assistance web site - a resource for nursing homes that want assistance to improve practices. To RSVP or to learn more, call 376-7650.
Darlene Vandine also recently passed the state certification process to become a certified Ombudsman Specialist. Ohio's Long-term Care Ombudsman offices advocate for people receiving home care, assisted living and nursing home care. They work to resolve complaints about services, help people select providers and offer information about benefits and consumer rights.
 Area Seniors Can Benefit from Housing Program
Area Agency on Aging Offers Home Accessibility & Repairs
There is no place like home. For seniors trying to "age in place" in larger, older homes, one program through the Area Agency on Aging 8 is making a difference.
Many across southeastern Ohio live in large turn-of-the-century style homes. However, as folks age, the practicality of a large two-story home can be an inhibitor to aging in place. The  AAA8 Housing program may be able to help.
"Grants are available to fund repairs for homeowners who are 60 years of age or older with 35 percent area median income level or less and own their home or have a life estate in the property," said Joe Gage, AAA8 Housing Coordinator. "For residents who qualify monies may be used to assist with the costs associated with accessibility modifications such as widening doorways, wheelchair ramps, handicap modifications of a bathroom or kitchen and other home repairs."
Gage is also an Aging-In-Place Specialist through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) developed to address the growing number of consumers that will soon require housing modifications to "age in place." These professionals are remodelers, general contractors, designers, architects and even health care consultants.
Gage is responsible for grant administration across the 8-county region. He can help eligible residents answer questions such as "how can I make my kitchen more functional; how do I modify my bathroom or home entrance and what type of contractor should I use?"
AAA8 will assess the home for eligible repairs and develop specifications for repair and bid the project to qualified providers to complete the modifications. Households served under this activity must be at or below 35 percent of area media income and own their home or have a life estate in the property.
For more information, call 1-800-331-2644 or visit www.areaagency8.org. AAA8 serves Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Washington Counties.
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