Ohio's March Unemployment Rates
Ohio's unemployment rate dropped slightly to 7.5% in March. Ohio's rate in Feb. was 7.6%. The U.S. unemployment rate for March was 8.2%.
In the Region for March:
Athens: 8.6%
Hocking: 9.3%
Meigs: 12.7%
Monroe: 10%
Morgan: 12.8%
Noble: 11.8%
Perry: 10.7%
Washington: 7.4%
Buckeye Hills Executive Committee:
Meet the Members
Commissioner
Cora Marshall
Commissioner Cora Marshall was elected on November 4, 2008. She is a life-long resident of Washington County and is next to the youngest of seven children. Cora and her husband Gary were married in 1974 and live in Liberty Township where they raise beef cattle.
Prior to her public service, Cora and her husband helped Ohio and West Virginia families realize the American dream through Marshall Real Estate, Inc. Marshall Real Estate, Inc. was formed in 1988, is located near the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Marietta, Ohio, and continues to offer full Real Estate services.
Cora adds that she enjoys working with the staff at Buckeye Hills, their professionalism and their efforts to provide services to the county and others in the region.
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 Hosts Semi-Annual Meeting
Buckeye Hills hosted its semi-annual meeting in April. The region's leaders heard updates from legislators and from The Innovation Center in Athens. They also reviewed the 2011 Annual Report that highlights the impacts of the Buckeye Hills programs and services across the 8-county district.
At the event, Buckeye Hills also announced its new slate of officers:
 | President
Gary Starner
Hocking County |
 | President
Ron Moore
Morgan County |
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Treasurer
Cora Marshall
Washington County |
 (AAA8) Partnership Award
Honored with the Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8) Partnership Award was Memorial Health System.
The award recognizes a community leader who exemplifies the principles of vision and leadership and an ongoing commitment to the mission of AAA8 in the region. Shown accepting the award (center) is Jennifer Offenberger, Director of Marketing & PR with Memorial Health System, with Executive Director Misty Casto and Rick Hindman, Assistant. Exec. Dir. & AAA8 Director.
Last year, the Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8) and the Memorial Health System piloted a Care Transitions service to assist patients when they are sent home from the hospital. The program assists patients as they transition home from the hospital to help reduce avoidable re-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.
Without the strong commitment and partnership of leaders and key staff at the Memorial Health System, the Care Transitions pilot would not have been possible or as successful. The Pilot also laid a groundwork for the future. The Buckeye Hills AAA8 was selected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as one of 23 sites across the nation to participate in the Community-Based Care Transitions program. Partnering with two other Southern Ohio Area Agencies and five medical facilities, the grant will provide care transition services to a 26-county area spanning rural areas. Click here to listen to the award presentation.
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Buckeye Hills District Projects Receive State Appalachian Development Grants
The Governor's Office of Appalachia announced State Appalachian Development Grants totaling $227,800 that will fund projects in 12 Appalachian counties and one project to study tourism in the region. The Ohio Department of Development's Office of Community Development administers the State Appalachian Development Program.
"The Governor's Office of Appalachia is committed to providing communities the support they need to grow and compete," said Jason Wilson, Director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia. "The projects receiving grants address a variety of community needs, including improvements to a library, community center, and county courthouse."
Projects in the Buckeye Hills region that received State Appalachian Development Grants are:
Ohio's Appalachian Country, Inc., (All 32 Counties) received $32,000 to hire a company to study the impact of tourism on individual counties as well as the entire 32-county region. The results of the study will be used to educate legislators, media, event planners, and tourism stakeholders on the impact of tourism in the region.
Paper Circle (Athens County) received $20,000 to help fund a four-week, all-day arts-based summer enrichment and wellness program for 60 Nelsonville-York City School District students between fifth and tenth grade. Students will participate in a curriculum designed to boost self-esteem through art-based classes. The program runs from June 18 - July 24, 2012, and will employ 11 local teachers, one director, and one assistant director.
Perry County received $17,000 to repair the roof on the Perry County Sheriff's building. The current roof leaks, which causes damage to the building and could interrupt or damage 911 equipment housed at the facility. The repair and replacement of the roof is expected to increase the longevity of the building for more than 20 years.
Syracuse Community Center (Meigs County) received $9,900 to purchase a new cooling system for the center. The project includes the purchase and installation of the cooling system and replacement of five exterior doors for the facility. The new cooling system will provide a comfortable environment for the center's patrons during the summer months.
Village of McConnelsville (Morgan County) received $17,600 to pay for materials to replace the roof at the McConnelsville community facility building at the municipal pool. This project will repair leaks in the roof, and remove mold. Funds also will help pay for a new pump and filter for the pool to improve the safety of the pool water. This is the only public pool in Morgan County.
Village of Roseville (Perry County) received $9,800 to make improvements to restrooms at the community facilities building. Currently the restrooms are not working and are not ADA accessible. The project will replace the bathroom sewer lines, replace fixtures, and create an ADA restroom. It also will include the installation of a hot water tank and replacement of electrical wiring in the chemical room. These improvements will allow the center to better serve more than 1,800 patrons this summer.
Watertown Township (Washington County) received $3,000 to purchase materials for the rehabilitation of its township administration and equipment building. The project will repair the roof and replace exterior doors and windows, which currently are damaged due to the roof leaking. The township uses the building as a training facility and a backup location for the Watertown Volunteer Fire Department.
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 Project Profile Process for ARC Grants Now Open
Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District (BHHVRDD) is committed to assisting the counties in its region with securing grant funding for projects. One important grant funding agency is The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
Typically, ARC grants are awarded to state and local agencies and governmental entities, local governing boards (such as county commissions), and nonprofit organizations. Representatives from these organizations may draw from the expertise and assistance available from Buckeye Hills to navigate the 2013 Project Profile.
Buckeye Hills will now be accepting 2013 Project Profiles. Project Profiles are due to Buckeye Hills no later than 4p.m. on June 1, 2012.
In 2013, projects will be prioritized with the following goals in mind:
- to create and/or retain private sector jobs;
- to extend or upgrade water or sewer services;
- to provide quality health care;
- to provide job skills training; or
- to develop/improve infrastructure for residents.
Buckeye Hills is committed to helping organizations in the counties we serve to access possible grants for local projects. The pre-application is an important first step in completing the grant request. We urge representatives to contact the Buckeye Hills office with questions.
Projects must serve residents in one or more counties in the eight-county district (Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington). While each funding source has specific goals, they generally address the following issues:
- To create/retain private sector jobs (ARC, EDA)
- To extend or upgrade water or sewer services (ARC, CDBG)
- To provide quality health care (ARC)
- To provide job skills training (ARC)
- To develop/improve infrastructure for residents (ARC)
You may also find the project profile on the Buckeye Hills website. Click HERE for the link. The project profile is a form that can be filled in electronically, so you can save it to your own computer and work on it over time.
Project profiles are due to the Buckeye Hills office no later than 4p.m. Friday June 1, 2012.
Please submit your project profile in one of the following formats:
Electronically: Email to mzoller@buckeyehills.org
By Mail:
Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District
ATTN: Melissa Zoller
PO Box 520
Reno, OH 45750
Hand delivery:
Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District
1400 Pike Street
Marietta, OH 45750
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Melissa Zoller at 740-376-1027 or at mzoller@buckeyehills.org.
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Long-Term Care Ombudsman Volunteers Honored
In April the AAA8 Ombudsman staff held a recognition even for volunteers in the region. Present were (left to right) AAA8 Ombudsman staff Darlene Vandine and Sue Davidson with Washington County volunteers Alice Mugrage, Dennis Urban and Charlotte Kuehn and Ombudsman Director Kim Flanigan. Volunteers not present include: Jim Schultz, Glenn Dierkes, and Jeff Vogt. Last year six volunteers served 359 hours in the AAA8 region. Interested in volunteering? Call the Ombudsman staff at 1-800-331-2644.
 Housing Program Searching for
Spring Projects
With support on projects that address access issues for clients that have mobility needs and with minor home modification to provide safer home environments, the AAA8 is helping residents in Southeast Ohio stay at home and saving the taxpayers money in the process. If you know of someone who needs support with a wheelchair ramp or minor home project, who meets program eligibility, call AAA8 at 1-800-331-2644. To learn more visit the Housing section of www.areaagency8.org.
 SE Ohio ADRN Coordinating Respite Subcommittee Activities
In the U.S. every year, 65.7 million unpaid family caregivers provide 80 percent of long-term care. In Ohio, nearly two million family caregivers provide care annually. Many do not identify themselves as a caregiver and are reluctant to ask for help. Those who do seek assistance find that there are limited providers, a bureaucratic maze of funding streams and services or eligibility criteria that is confusing and restrictive. Often, those who are ineligible for financial assistance may find they simply cannot afford to pay for respite services.
The SE Ohio ADRN's Respite Subcommittee is working toward the development of the"Caring to Help Others" Volunteer Network.Comprised of existing volunteer organizations, service providers and other interested parties, this network will unite and expand current respite programs, services and resources to families and caregivers regardless of age or special need, into an integrated Lifespan respite system in accordance with state and national trends using volunteers to "fill the gap."
The ADRN Respite Subcommittee is seeking volunteer organizations, respite providers, community groups and agencies, and other key stakeholders to help in the planning and development of the SE Ohio "Caring to Help Others" Volunteer Network.
To get involved and join the planning and development of the SE Ohio "Caring to Help Others" program, contact Mindy Cayton at 740-376-7645 or 1-800-331-2644.
The SE Ohio ADRN "Caring to Help Others" Volunteer Networkwill be piloted in Athens, Meigs and Washington Counties. It will then be introduced throughout the remainder of the SE Ohio ADRN service area; Hocking, Monroe, Morgan, Noble and Perry Counties.
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