BH Masthead
A Publication of Buckeye Hills-HVRDD
With a new easy-for-mobile format!
Shown from left are Ohio Senator Lou Gentile (D-30th District); SOLSD School Board member Janelle Comstock; Ohio Rep. Jack Cera (D-96th District); Swiss Hills Welding Instructor Tom Rouse; Gov. Office of Appalachia Director Jason Wilson; Buckeye Hills Exec. Dir. Misty Casto; SOLSD Administrator Kassie Anderson and SOLSD Treasurer Lance Erlwein

Switzerland of Ohio Local Schools Receives Appalachian Grant for Swiss Hills Career Center Welding Program


Buckeye Hills, in partnership with the Governor's Office of Appalachia, announced that the Welding program at Swiss Hills Career Center will receive a $12,000 State Appalachian Development Program grant.

 

The equipment grant will bolster the program's ability to provide students with experience utilizing a real-world industrial tool and specialized software to design, layout, set up and produce manufactured parts. Students will use the system's professional CAD/CAM software to design and draw parts from blueprints, and then learn to set up and operate the system.

 

"The equipment will help the welding program expand and improve its manufacturing and allied trades training to better serve local employers," said Buckeye Hills Development Director Bret Allphin. "Local employers are expanding their services to service the growing Marcellus/Utica shale oil and gas efforts. This equipment project will help increase the number of local residents qualified for advanced jobs in the region."

 

The regional demand for welders is extremely high. A national shortage of welders was already impacting the industry when the oil and gas exploration activities started expanding, creating an overall shortage of 200,000 welders nationwide.

 

"To meet industry standards, workers need skills from design to production, including analytical and computer skills necessary to operate computerized, numerical control machinery," said Welding Instructor Tom Rouse. "To fill these needs, The Swiss Hills Career Center must provide hands-on experience with a variety of industry-level manufacturing equipment as part of the machine technology program. This equipment has been on our wish-list for a long time."

 

Grant writing for the project was supported by Buckeye Hills and the Switzerland of Ohio Higher Education and Learning Partnership (HELP), the local P-16 program.

 

State Appalachian Development Grants are designated for projects that will increase job opportunities and improve community infrastructure to encourage economic development activities in the Appalachian region.

 

Washington County Career Center Grant Supports Chemical Training  

 

Washington County Career Center recently received a $110,100 state grant from the Governor's Office of Appalachia to purchase training equipment for its chemical operator program.

Working with Buckeye Hills, the Center applied for the grant to purchase a distributive control systems simulator. While each plant will have specific systems, the simulator will give students experience with basic operations.   


The Governor's Office of Appalachia and Buckeye Hills work as advocates on behalf of the Appalachian Regional Commission to promote the region's assets and to support initiatives that contribute to the economic, educational and community prosperity of the people of the Appalachian region.  

Buckeye Hills Executive Appointed
to NADO & Heritage Ohio Boards

Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District (BHHVRDD) is pleased to announce that its Executive Director Misty Casto has been elected to The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) 2013-2014 Board of Directors representing the Midwest Region. Learn more at www.nado.org.


The board term will begin with the 2013 NADO Annual Business Meeting on August 27 in San Francisco, CA. NADO provides advocacy, education, research, and training for the nation's regional development organizations.

 

Casto has served as Executive Director of Buckeye Hills since April 2007 and has been with the organization for 23 years where she has served in various support and leadership roles in its Development division.  

 

"I am honored to have been nominated by my peers to serve with NADO. They are an organization that supports the nation's development organizations like Buckeye Hills," said Executive Director Misty Casto. "Over the years, NADO has been a great partner with Ohio districts with its vast resources and advocacy tools. Sharing in NADO's expertise and experience will be extremely valuable to our region."

 

Heritage Ohio is Ohio's official historic preservation and Main Street organization, Heritage Ohio fosters economic development and sustainability through preservation of historic buildings, revitalization of downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts, and promotion of cultural tourism.  Casto will serve as a member of the Board representing Appalachian communities. Learn more at www.heritageohio.org/.   

 


2013 Shale Development Community Impact Survey Underway

Leaders in 17 counties will soon receive a 2013 Shale Development Community Impact Survey assessing the impact of shale development on the communities they serve. The Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs at Ohio University is conducting this survey which will be mailed the week of July 22 to local officials in t
he following counties:
Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Mahoning, Monroe, Muskingum, Noble, Portage, Stark, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, and Washington.
Areas addressed in the survey include
* Community and Public Safety
* Local Economy
* Housing and Property
* Environment and Infrastructure
Complete participation is critical to developing a baseline understanding of the impacts and opportunities of shale development. The survey should provide state and local government, businesses and community organizations with valuable information for future planning. The goal is to distribute findings by the end of 2013.
 
Ohio's Unemployment Rates

 

Ohio's unemployment rate was 7.2 percent in June 2013, up from 7.0 percent in May. The U.S. unemployment rate for June was 7.6 percent, unchanged from the previous month and down from 8.2 percent in June 2012.

Around the region: 
Athens: 8.9% 
Hocking: 7.4 % 
Meigs: 12.7% 
Monroe: 10.4% 
Morgan: 11% 
Noble: 10.2% 
Perry: 9.3% 
Washington: 6.9%
 

SCIP/LTIP Grant Application Deadline

The District 18 Ohio Public Works Commission Liaison wishes to remind potential applicants and interested parties that the

deadline for submission of the State Capital Improvement Plan (SCIP)/Local Transportation Improvement Plan (LTIP) grant applications, is Friday, September 6, 2013.    

 

The State Capital Improvement Program and the Local Transportation Improvement Program were created to assist in financing local public infrastructure improvements, including roads, guardrails, culverts, bridges, storm sewers, and water and sanitary sewer systems.  Local subdivisions that require financial assistance in moving projects forward can pursue this funding through the 18th Public Works District. 

Eligible applicants include cities, villages, counties, townships, and public water and sewer districts.  Consideration for funding is not made on a per capita basis.  No particular community has an entitlement to these funds.


Applications are to be submitted by hand to the District 18 Liaison, Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District, 1400 Pike Street, Marietta, Ohio 45750, or via mail at P.O. Box 520, Reno, OH 45773-0520 no later than 5:00 P.M. on September 6th.


If you have questions regarding the application process or the deadline, please contact Michelle Hyer at (740) 376-1025 or [email protected].

 

District 18 Ohio Public Works Commission:  Natural Resources Assistance Council Nominations Wanted 

 

Nominations to serve on the District 18 Natural Resources Assistance Council (NRAC), will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. August 30, 2013.  District 18 includes Athens, Belmont, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry and Washington Counties in Ohio.  

 

The NRAC consists of eleven members, and they shall be appointed from the following categories or organizations, units of government, or agencies:

1.    A county, municipal corporation, township, conservancy district, regional or joint district or unit of local government, or regional or joint political subdivision that is located within the geographical jurisdiction of the appointing integrating committee;

2.    A conservation organization, an environmental advocacy organization, and organization with a primary interest in watershed protection and restoration, the department of natural resources, the environmental protection agency, or the United States natural resources conservation service;

3.    A city park system or metropolitan park system or a board of park commissioners from a county that is located within the geographical jurisdiction of the appointing integrating committee, a statewide park and recreation organization, or the United States national park service.

4.    A statewide organization representing agriculture, and organization representing forestry interests, the department of agriculture, or the United States department of agriculture;

5.    An organization representing business, local Realtors, or a planning agency, including a Port Authority, located within the geographical jurisdiction of the appointing integrating committee.

 

Nomination forms can be requested by calling Michelle Hyer at (740) 376-1025.  A letter from a recognized entity in group 1 through 5 and a statement of the nominees background or qualifications must be attached to the nomination form.

Please contact Michelle Hyer, District 18 Liaison, at (740) 376-1025 if you have questions or need assistance. 

 

Clean Ohio Brownfields Update: 


Clean Ohio Council Meeting Planned for November:
The Clean Ohio Council is scheduling a fall meeting for November 1, 2013.  The purpose of the meeting will be to award projects that have received a recommendation for funding through the new upfront vetting process with JobsOhio.  An additional meeting will be scheduled late January or early February to award projects with any remaining Revitalization program funds. 


In order to coincide with the upcoming Clean Ohio Council meeting, the following schedule is provided to guide applicants in preparation of their application materials and through the required process prescribed in O.R.C. 122.652 and program policies:

- August 7, 2013: Applicants begin public notice period

- September 23-25,2013: Applicants hold a public hearing

- September 26, 2013: Applicants submit applications to Ohio   

   Public Works District Integrating Committee

- October 7 - 18, 2013: Application cure period

- November 1, 2013: Clean Ohio Council Meeting

 

Funding is still available: 

Phase II Assessment and Cleanup funding is still available. If you have a project and are interested in Clean Ohio funding please contact the JobsOhio regional network partner

(APEG: Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth at (740) 530-5359.) 

 
New Priority Investment Area Map for July - December 2013:

The Ohio Development Services Agency Office of Research prepares the Priority Investment Area map every January and July. The map identifies counties and communities with distressed designations.  Areas with the designation are eligible for Phase II assessment grants through Clean Ohio. Click here for a PDF copy of new map.

Please contact the Office of Research at 614.466.2116.

 

 

Ohio Conference
on Freight
 

September 12 & 13, 2013
Kalahari Convention Center, Sandusky, Ohio

 

The Ohio Conference on Freight is two days of valuable information in the company of industry leaders. Learn how innovation is changing how we transfer goods, design projects, model supply chains, and make policy.

 

Early Bird Rate: $250 through August 9
After August 9, the standard rate of $300 applies. All registrations
due by September 6.


Registration includes breakfasts, lunches, refreshments at breaks, a catered networking reception, workshops, keynote addresses, and an optional tour of the Technology Development and Engineering Center at Sierra Lobo, Inc.

Register now for immediate confirmation, or send your complete registration information to Conference Administrator Jodi Rayburg: 419.241.9155 ext. 120.

 

Who Should Attend 
More than 200 decision-makers from the private and public sectors throughout numerous states and provinces in the U.S. and Canada regularly attend the conference. Join professionals who produce and/or move freight, plan infrastructure, invest in training, enforce regulations, and build local economies. Supply chain executives, planners, engineers, economic developers, university faculty, labor leaders, lawyers, and consultants are part of the conference.

 

Visit www.ohiofreight.org for updates.

 
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AAA8
Area Agency on Aging 8 Updates:  

 

AAA8 Are you trying to juggle kids, a career AND caring for an aging loved one? Let the Area Agency on Aging help. A free in-home consultation can direct you to services to manage the everyday details of caregiving for a loved one.

 

Simply call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-331-2644! Help at home for aging parents is just a phone call away. We can help YOU help the ones you love!

 

Whether you need immediate assistance or simply want to start a long-term care plan for you or a loved one, we can help.


The Area Agency on Aging administers programs and also refers to a wide variety of regional offerings all with the goal of helping older adults stay in their homes - where they tell us they want to be.

Check out the new AAA8 Video and please "Share" it with others who need to know about our programs and services.

Seniors Enjoy Shopping Farmers Markets

 

Seniors are enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables from Farmers markets around the region this summer as part of the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).AAA8 caught up with a few at the market in Monroe County.


At nearly 91 years old, Lola Geldmacher enjoys fresh potatoes and more each week at the market when she comes with her friend Arlene Winland who drives them.    


"My name Geldmacher means money-maker, but I just don't seem to have a lot of that any more. This program is just a great to help me," said Lola.

 

Becky and Doug King who live on a fixed income appreciate the market too.

 

 

"We really appreciate the coupons," said Becky King. "It is a great help when you have a limited budget."

 

The program provides income-eligible senior citizens with special coupons worth $50 to enjoy locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a USDA and Ohio Department of Aging program for income-eligible seniors. Grant funding is limited and coupons were distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are currently waiting lists in all of the 8-counties served by AAA8. The program will end Oct. 31.

 

"The program benefits local seniors and local farmers," said Buckeye Hills Asst. Exec Dir. & AAA8 Director Rick Hindman. "We continue to advocate to state and federal legislators for additional funding for the program because year over year we have waiting lists and more could be served if additional resources were available."

 

An 80-year-old retired truck driver, Richard Bland said it best, "This program really helps people and they enjoy being able to get farm-market-fresh goods." He added, have a good day and keep up the good work!

 

 


Support the AAA8/Buckeye Hills Team in the Walk to End Alzheimer's

The Buckeye Hills/AAA8 staff is coordinating a team to walk in the 2013 event to end Alzheimer's. You can help! Sponsor our team with a donation and we will list you as our team sponsor or you can purchase a Purple foot for $1.

Want to sell feet at your senior center or office like to support our team? Call 1-800-331-2644 ext. 210 for details. Click Here to Donate or Visit the Team Page

Thanks to Community Support & Donations from: 
- Buckeye Hills AAA8  
- Smitty's Pizza 
- Monroe County Council on Aging 
- Equitable Gas
- Members of AAA8 RAC

Buckeye Hills staff enjoyed dunking leaders for the cause at the annual staff picnic. Shown is Kara Wright, LSW, dunking Fiscal Director Doug Dye.
 



The Team will also hosted a Bake Sale at the AAA8 RAC meeting on July 26 - raising almost $200 for lots of yummy goodies prepared by AAA8 staff and their families! 
Shown at the sale is Betty Weber (left) Monroe Co. and Lois Sizemore (Wash. Co.).  
 
Like Us on Facebook   Buckeye Hills    Area Agency on Aging 8 
Dates to Note:
Aug. 2 - Buckeye Hills Executive Committee Meeting

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