BH Masthead

 A Publication of Buckeye Hills-HVRDD

March 2013   

Quick Links
Like BH-HVRDD
on Facebook!
Like Us on Facebook 
Ohio's January Unemployment Rates

 

Ohio's unemployment rate details for Jan. will not be available until March 8. They will be posted on the BH website at that time. 

 

Buckeye Hills 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.

 
Clean Ohio Brownfields Update

JobsOhio is accepting brownfield funding requests.

 
JobsOhio and their Network partners are accepting funding requests for Clean Ohio projects.  Contact information is available on the JobsOhio website:  

 

Funding packages include available Clean Ohio grant funds along with loans from the Brownfield Loan Program financed through the Ohio Water Development Authority.   

 

More information on the OWDA Brownfield Loan Program may be found on the ODSA website.
 

 

Buckeye Hills Supports Regional Shale Event 

Buckeye Hills helped support a first of its kind event that promoted the region to the shale industry. Hosted by members of the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance (EODA) in downtown Pittsburgh Feb. 27, the Utica Shale Region Real Estate Open House promoted site options in a 16-county region to commercial realtors.

Buckeye Hills coordinated the marketing materials creating fact sheets for each of the key sites made available at th
e event. In addition, GIS staff developed a GIS viewer of available properties at http://www.bhgis.org/eoda/shale/.   

Sponsors of the event were AEP Ohio, APEG (Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth) and Jobs Ohio, Buckeye Power, Inc., EODA, Columbia Gas of Ohio as well as OMEGA (Ohio Mid-eastern Governments Assoc.) and Buckeye Hills.

Buckeye Hills Creates Ohio River Site Inventory  

Partnering with APEG (Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth), Buckeye Hills GIS staff has developed an Ohio River Site Inventory resource for the region.

"Based on data provided to us from APEG and the ODOT maritime access permits, we were able to create an inventory resource focusing on key sites for economic development research and commercial opportunities," said Development Director Bret Allphin. "We looked at pre-existing commercial sites as well as other data to develop key priority areas for growth along the Ohio River Corridor."

 
Buckeye Hills Welcomes New Leaders

Buckeye Hills welcomes new 2103 Executive Committee members from left Tom Johnson (Perry Co. Alternate); Exec. Director Misty Casto; Tim Van Horn (Morgan Co. Commissioner); Tim Irvine (Washington Co. Commissioner); Brian Howard of Farmers Bank (Meigs Co. Private Sector); and Dave Freriks (Perry Co. Commissioner). For a list of 2013 Executive Committee and General Policy Council members, visit the About Us section of www.buckeyehills.org.
ARC Visits Ohio Legislative Delegation



Dan Neff, the Local Development District (LDD) Director for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) visited Buckeye Hills and the Ohio Legislature's Appalachian Delegation to provide updates and share more about what Ohio's Local Development Districts do in the region. Shown from left are Ohio Rep. Andy Thompson (Chair of the Appalachian Delegation), Neff, Karen Fabiano of the Ohio Development Services Agency and Buckeye Hills' Misty Casto.

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 Ohio ARC Impact Report 
Governor's Office of Appalachia Visits Region's Projects

Buckeye Hills Development Dir. Bret Allphin, Governor's Office of Appalachia Director Jason Wilson and Buckeye Hills Exec. Dir. Misty Casto visited the Marietta College Physician Assistant Program in Marietta.

Did you know that more than 800 applications were received this year for the program's 36 student positions? Also, 61% of program graduates stay in Ohio or WV.






The GOA provided a grant of $110,000 to support the purchase of a human simulator family (man, pregnant woman with birthing baby, an infant and a young child) that will provide training to the PA program, students at Washing State CC and staff at Marietta Healthy System.

"The simulators provide students the opportunity to practice their skills on a very realistic model before doing them on real patients," said Gloria Stewart, Director of the MC PA program. "It was definitely a community effort to raise the funds for this wonderful addition to the program."


Buckeye Hills Exec. Dir. Misty Casto, Governor's Office of Appalachia Director Jason Wilson and Buckeye Hills Development Dir. Bret Allphin visited the Betsey Mills in Marietta.
The Gov. Office of Appalachia provided $100,000 in state funds to match local monies raised by the Betsey Mills and provided by other donors for its infrastructure updates while preserving the historical integrity of the buildings listed on the The National Register of Historic Places, the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation.

Shown above viewing the antiquated heating systems are Director Wilson and Betsey Mills Exec. Director Linda Lewis. "With the replacement of the boiler and installation of air conditioning as well as electrical upgrades, we will continue to support the community
with our pre-school, wellness and housing programs."

The Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG) is committed to accelerating sustainable business growth and job creation, and advancing the economy of southeast Ohio. Through targeted economic development support and regional collaboration, APEand the Ohio Development Services Agency, and APEG staff shepherd projects through the application and review process.

 

APEG serves as the "front door" for southeast Ohio businesses to access incentive and support programs of JobsOhio and the Ohio Development Services Agency, and APEG staff shepherd projects through the application and review process. In addition, APEG operates a regional Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) across the region. MEP helps manufacturers improve their processes, productivity and profitability, increasing their competitiveness and boosting investment and job growth in the region.

 

COUNTIES APEG SERVES: Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown*, Carroll, Columbiana*, Coshocton, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas*, Vinton and Washington.*Manufacturing Extension Partnership only.

Click here to view the APEG Report


New Report Details Growth
of Shale Industry

A new quarterly report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) will track changes in Ohio's oil and gas industry and give policy makers, workforce development professionals and the public insight into how the shale industry is impacting Ohio's economy.

"The growing oil and gas industry holds great economic potential for Ohio," said ODJFS Director Michael Colbert. "This report provides individuals, businesses and community leaders with important information that can help guide economic development decisions and career choices."

The first Quarterly Economic Trends for Ohio Oil and Gas Industries is available online here: http://ohiolmi.com/OhioShale/OhioShale.htm

Highlights from the initial report:
  • Employment in core shale industries, such as pipeline construction and well drilling, increased 17 percent from the first quarter of 2011 to the first quarter of 2012. Employment in ancillary shale industries, such as freight trucking and environmental consulting, increased 3.1 percent over the same time period.
  • The average salary in core shale industries was $73,934. The average salary in ancillary industries was $58,765.
  • Between the first quarter of 2011 and the first quarter of 2012, 16 oil and gas well-drilling operations, six natural gas liquid extraction operations, five oil and gas pipeline construction businesses, and nine businesses offering oil and gas industry support services opened in Ohio.

AAA8

 

Programs Available to Serve Seniors Call 1-800-331-2644 Today! 

PASSPORT or CHOICES Home Care 
The PASSPORT program provides in-home alternatives to nursing home care for qualified low-income older adults. Services include personal care, homemaker services and respite or adult day care. A case manager works with the family, physician, and home health workers to customize a care plan that may consist of 
services including home-delivered meals, personal care, chore service, emergency response systems, home medical equipment, transportation, and more.

In 2012, 1,177 individuals were served in the PASSPORT program that affords the opportunity to receive quality care and support services in the comfort of their own homes. AAA8 served PASSPORT clients with support 
from nearly 80 regional providers and service dollars of over $12 million.

2013 Senior Farmers Market
Applications will be avail. in Mid-March.

The Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a program sponsored by USDA
and The Ohio Department of Aging in which grants are awarded to provide coupons to eligible seniors.
Individuals are eligible for the program if 60 years of age or older with an annual household income of:

* one person = $0 - $21,257

* two people = $21,258 - $28,694

* three people = $28,695 - $36,131

 

To enroll, complete and return the application. If your application is accepted, then coupons will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis - while funds are available. Once coupons are received, be sure to use them by their expiration date(s).   

 
Last year through grant support from The Ohio Department of Aging and The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Senior Farmers Market served nearly 1,500 seniors and another 578 were placed on waiting lists. The 
program was supported by nearly 64 farmers, roadside stands and markets across the region. The Kudos for Senior Farmers Market Nutrition coupons keep us remembering the value of the program!

"Thankful for this program as I live on a fixed income and fresh fruits and vegetables are expensive. This program made a big difference in eating healthy." - Margaret 
"Thank you for providing me with fresh vegetables. It was a real treat to be able to choose from such a variety. You really do take care of our nutritional needs." - Roseanne

If you know of someone who might need these services, call AAA8 at 1-800-331-2644. 
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