BH Masthead

 A Publication of Buckeye Hills-HVRDD

Jan. 2013   

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Ohio's  Unemployment Rates

Ohio's unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in November, down slightly from 6.9 percent in October.  The U.S. unemployment rate for November was 7.7 percent, down from 7.9 percent in October.

 

In the Region: 

Athens: 6.7%

Hocking: 6.8%

Meigs: 10.4%

Monroe: 9.8%

Morgan: 9.7%

Noble: 9.3%

Perry: 8.4%

Washington: 5.7%

 

According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). 

ODOT to Host Ohio Airports Focus Study


The ODOT Office of Aviation is conducting the Ohio Airports Focus Study to help ODOT and the FAA make informed decisions on funding for Ohio's 97 publicly-owned general aviation airports.
The Focus Study will be used to optimize investment in Ohio's airport system with an eye toward safety, efficiency and economic growth. The Study will identify needed system improvements, develop a framework for prioritizing those projects, and assess the economic impact of each publicly owned airport.
 
The Study's findings will assist ODOT and the FAA in making hard decisions on proposed airport development in a period of limited funding.

Get Involved
The public involvement component of the study will consist of three rounds of public meetings in seven locations around the state. (See Regional Focus Study Map.) The state is divided into six geographical regions consistent with JobsOhio.
Due to the size of the Appalachian regions, two separate meetings will be held.
 

Jan. 9, 2013

2-4 p.m.
Zane State College
Rooms 529 & 530
9900 Brick Church Rd. 

Cambridge, OH 43725 

 

Jan. 17, 2013

2-4 p.m. 
Pike County
Government Center
Conference Room
230 Waverly Plaza
Waverly, OH 45690

 

For additional meeting dates, visit the project web site.

  

  

ARC Resource Available Online

Strategies for Economic Improvement in Appalachia's Distressed Rural Counties

  

In case you missed it a recording of the recent webinar on ARC's research study on Strategies for Economic Improvement in Appalachia's Distressed Rural Counties, conducted by University of Tennessee researchers, can now be seen online.

 

Morgan County, Ohio, was featured in the ARC webinar. This report provides an understanding of the challenges confronting economic and community development efforts in rural Appalachian communities and explains the ways local governments, agencies, and community organizations plan and respond to challenging issues. The authors of this report examined ten representative case study counties, which were selected using a number of criteria, including economic performance, location, infrastructure investment, and demographic factors. Click here to see the full report.

  

  

SE Ohio Port Authority Promotes Internship Opportunity

  

 

The Third Frontier Internship Program links college students with Ohio for-profit companies commercializing new products, technologies and processes in the technology areas of:

Advanced Energy, Information Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Instruments, Controls & Electronics,  Advanced Materials, Power & Propulsion and Biosciencee.

Ohio for-profit companies may qualify to receive up to $3,000 for each eligible intern. Internships are for eligible Ohio students enrolled at an Ohio higher education institution and receiving a 2.5 GPA or higher.

Businesses or students interested in applying for the program can do so online at www.thirdfrontierintern.ohio.gov. For inquiries, please contact Michele Tipton at 740.568.1928 or [email protected] 

Closser Business Center Space Available   

The Appalachian Development Corporation operates the Thomas A. Closser Business Center for regional business development.

The Business Center has space available for additional businesses.  The Center is located at
245 Millers Lane (CR9) in Marietta.
♦ Two story building with Private Offices

♦ Spaces ranging from 102 - 221 sq. feet

♦ Security System, Conference room, Kitchen area

♦ High Speed Internet available

♦ Restrooms on both levels

♦ Off-street parking

To join the business incubator facility, call Jenny Myers at 740-376-1026.  

 

 

 

Buckeye Hills Executive Committee Members Recognized

 

The Buckeye Hills Executive Committee is an integral part of the leadership of the organization and activities and programs throughout the district. The Executive Committee has 15 members comprised of four non-elected representatives, one minority representative, Mayors of the two largest cities in the District, and eight county representatives appointed by county commissioners. Two-thirds of the Executive Committee are elected officials; one-third are non-elected officials and minority representatives.

 

We wish to thank the following members for their terms of service to Buckeye Hills: shown from left: Morgan Co. Commissioner Dean Cain; Perry Co. Commissioner Fred Shriner and Washington Co. Commissioner Cora Marshall (who also served as Treasurer).

    Fred Shriner Cora Marshall  

2012 Ohio ARC Local Development District (LDD) Impact Report Available


Ohio's Local Development Districts serve 32 counties in the Appalachian area of the state. The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life. The LDDs are responsible for administering the ARC grant program across the region.   

The program goals are to:

  • increase job opportunities and per capita income;
  • increase capacity to compete in a global economy;
  • improve and develop infrastructure;
  • develop the Appalachian highway system.

By creating or retaining jobs, providing access to education or training, increasing availability to water and  sanitary sewer services as well as maintaining and upgrading bridges and roads, the projects administered by  LDDs build the regions' infrastructure for future growth.

  • In 2012: Ohio's LDDs administered 49 ARC projects with $34,451,854 in total project costs which resulted in 876.5 new jobs and another 4,091 jobs retained in the region. LDDs secured $46.21 in Direct Project Dollars for every $1 spent on administration.
    Funding provided by Federal ARC, ADHS and the Governor's Office of Appalachia.
  • Click here to read the 2012 Impact Report 

Buckeye Hills Announces Grants Application Process  
Project Profiles Being Accepted for Funding Consideration

 

Buckeye Hills is committed to assisting the counties across the region with securing grant funding for projects. For consideration of funding from The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and The Economic Development Administration (EDA), applicants should complete a Project Profile. The Profile is now available at

http://buckeyehills.org/subpages/funding_opportunities

or by calling 740-374-9436. 
 
The simple, self-explanatory project profile form collects basic information about projects, including: contact information; project description, type and readiness; regional impact; funding sources and total project costs; and project partners. 

 

Qualifying state and local agencies and governmental entities, local governing boards (such as county councils), and nonprofit organizations (such as schools and organizations that build low-cost housing) may apply for the competitive grants programs. Representatives from these organizations may draw from the expertise and assistance available from Buckeye Hills to navigate the grants process.


Applicants complete the form and submit it to Buckeye Hills. Based on the project information provided, staff will determine the proper potential funding source (ARC, CDBG, EDA, etc.) and begin the process of assembling budgets and requesting full project applications.


"Over the past year, the Development staff secured financing for projects that have a positive impact on residential and commercial sectors," said Executive Director Misty Casto. "These projects improve the quality of life for the people of the r
egion. In 2011, total costs for projects completed 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."

 

Projects must serve residents in one or more of the region's eight counties: Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington. While each funding source with has specific goals, they generally address the following issues: create/retain private sector jobs (ARC, EDA); extend or upgrade water or sewer services (ARC, CDBG); provide quality health care (ARC); provide job skills training; and/or develop or improve infrastructure for residents (ARC).
 
The project profile is available on the BH-HVRDD web site at www.buckeyehills.org. The project form can be completed electronically or by hard copy. 
All Project profiles are due to BH-HVRDD no later than 4 p.m. March 11, 2013. For answers on questions regarding the project profile process call Melissa Zoller at (740) 376-1027.


ARC Grant Awarded
to Regional Business Training Center:  

A Partnership of Hocking College & Tri-County Career Center
 

 

The Business Training Center (BTC), being developed through a partnership between Hocking College and the Tri-County Adult Career Center will provide customized training for area businesses. The BTC now serves as the single point of contact in the region for staff training and development and will be located at The Inn at Hocking College.

 

The Business Training Center will have the dual mission of providing post-secondary education to adults in the region and working with businesses to ensure that their available and incumbent workforce is equipped with the skills necessary to remain competitive.

 

A $250,000 federal grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to Tri-County Adult Career Center will help purchase state-of-the-art equipment and furnishings to outfit the business training center.

"With support from the ARC Grant, this centralized hub for workforce training will enhance the skills of the region's workforce through customized and collaborative training initiatives utilizing modern technology," said Misty Casto, Executive Director of Buckeye Hills. "This investment in business and workforce is designed to increase the capacity of businesses that use the center as well as support business retention, expansion, and attraction."

 

Members of the Advisory board include: Wendy Jakmas, Director, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce; Bill Rinehart, Executive Director, Logan-Hocking Chamber of Commerce/Hocking County CIC; Theresa Ragosta, Manager, Employee Relations & Compliance, Rocky Brands; Sara Marrs, Director, Athens County Economic Development; Mary Abel, Regional Workforce Director, Development Services Agency; George Perich, Chief HR Officer, O'Bleness; Stacie Rainey, Director of HR, EDMAP; Kim McKinley, Director, Tri-County Adult Career Center; Tanya Conrath, Business Training Coordinator, Tri-County Adult Career Center; Misty Casto, Executive Director, Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District; Ron Erickson, President, Hocking College and Michelle Greenfield, Co-owner and CEO, Third Sun Solar.

AAA8


Regional Advisory Council Leaders Selected & Honored  

At the December meeting of the AAA8 Regional Advisory Council, the 2013 leaders were selected. Nominated to serve as President is Joan Stroh of Athens County, shown with Stroh is AAA8 Director Rick Hindman. Serving in 2013 as Vice-President is Greg Green (Hocking County) and as Secretary, Nancy Gibson (Perry County).

Ruth McElfresh with Rick at Christmas luncheon 2012 Honored for her decades of service to a variety of positions and responsibilities with the RAC was Ruth McElfresh (Noble County).  

"During my time at the Agency, Ruth has been a great support whether it is for advocacy or help with the RAC, she has always been a tremendous volunteer and servant to seniors in the region," said Hindman.

 

Southeast Ohio ADRN Network of Care Site Offers Local Resource Database of Services 

 

The Southeast Ohio Aging & Disability Resource Network offers a database of thousands of "local" southeastern Ohio resources for seniors, and people with disabilities. As we kick off 2013, we ask that you please review the directory and update your organization's information or inform others who are not in the service directory to join!

 

If you do not already have a link to the SE Ohio ADRN Network of Care web site in your web site, please add one! The more we work together to promote this invaluable resource, the more seniors, people with disabilities and family caregivers we can support! 

   

To learn more about SE Ohio ADRN programs and services,
call 1-800-331-2644 of visit The Network of Care.The ADRN serves Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Washington Counties.

Government to Stop Paper Benefit Checks
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is reminding older adults and people with disabilities who still receive their federal benefit payments by paper check that they must switch to an electronic payment option by March 1, 2013, only three months away. The federal government will not issue paper benefit checks after that.


Federal law will require beneficiaries to receive their benefit payments through either direct deposit or the Direct Express Debit MasterCard card.  For direct deposit, people can sign up online at
www.GoDirect.org

 or at their bank or credit union.  Beneficiaries who wish to make the change to the debit card can call the U.S. Treasury Electronic Solution Center at (800) 333-1795, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Contact Us Buckeye Hills is organized as a voluntary organization of local government political subdivisions to foster cooperative efforts in regional planning, and implementing of regional plans and programs. Share your success stories and let us assist with your development needs. 
Misty Casto - Executive Director: 740-376-1034
Rick Hindman - Assistant Exec. Dir. & AAA8 Director: 740-376-1029
Bret Allphin - Development Director: 740-376-1028 

Doug Dye - Fiscal Director: 740-376-1031

Gwynn Stewart- Communications Director: 740-376-1030