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Monthly News & Updates:
April 2017
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Buckeye Hills Regional Council
(formerly Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District)
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A New Name:
The Board of Directors for Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District is pleased to formally announced our new name and logo. Now called Buckeye Hills Regional Council, the organization continues to provide services throughout the eight county region just as they always have, now with a new, more concise
name.
"Buckeye Hills Regional Council has a new name and new look, but underneath it all, we are still focused on doing the work we remain committed to: improving the socioeconomic conditions of our region," said Misty Casto, Executive Director, Buckeye Hills Regional Council. "We are a voice for our constituents," said Casto.
"We promote their interests and needs to the persons and agencies empowered to invest in that positive change." Buckeye Hills Regional Council has provided transportation planning, economic and community development, mapping and data services,
as well as
directing programs that assist our most vulnerable populations. The organization will still provide those services, with a clearer connection to "who" provides them.
Previously, clients and partners may have only known the Buckeye Hills organization for economic and community development services, or as the Regional Transportation Planning Organization for the eight counties that make up Buckeye Hills, without realizing that we also administer the Area Agency on Aging services. The Board and Executive staff realized that an opportunity to educate the region about the depth and breadth of services was being missed. With one name, unifying all services and programs, constituents are better able to understand how they all work together.
"We are excited for people to know Buckeye Hills Regional Council as the multidimensional organization that it is," said Ron Moore, President of the Board of Directors, Buckeye Hills Regional Council. "We have a diverse population with evolving needs. We're proud to be able to identify those needs and respond to them. Changing our name won't change that."
Buckeye Hills Regional Council remains at its current location of 1400 Pike Street, Marietta, OH. Over the next few months, we will begin the process of revising all educational materials and signage to reflect the name change. For questions, please call
1-800-331-2644. Visit us on online at
buckeyehills.org
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2016 Buckeye Hills Annual Community Benefit Report Now Available
The 2016 Buckeye Hills annual report was distributed at the April 7 Semi-Annual Meeting and is also available online. It details a variety of the services and programs benefiting individuals and communities across the region.
Total costs for the 52 community and economic development projects completed over the past year were approximately $34 million, with local communities and private business leveraging $13.6 million (40%) against the $20.2 million (60%) provided through state and federal funding sources.
As the designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA8) and the Southeast Ohio Aging & Disability Resource Network (ADRN), Buckeye Hills also administered more than $15.5 million in aging program services in the calendar year. Read the Report
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Buckeye Hills Attends National Washington Policy Update
Leaders from Buckeye Hills and from across Appalachia joined the National Association of Development Organization's Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., to learn more about the President's budget.
Staff and leaders from the Buckeye Hills Executive Committee met with legislators and their staff in D.C. to advocate for the programs and to provide 2016 outcomes from the region.
They discussed programs currently under threat of significant funding cuts or elimination, programs which benefit the communities and citizens of the 8-county region served by the Buckeye Hills Regional Council including the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the U.S.Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), as well as programs through the Older Americans Act that impact aging Ohioans and those with disabilities.
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Leaders and staff from the development districts serving Ohio's Appalachian region visited with U.S. Congressman Steve Stivers (OH -15th District) in Washington, D.C.
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U.S. Congressman Bill Johnson (OH -6th District) also met with Appalachian
regional leaders in D.C. to learn more about the region's needs.
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2016 Appalachian Assistance Impact Report Released
The 2016 Return on Investment report: Strengthening Ohio's Appalachian Regions is now available. The report provides an overview of funding provided by the Appalachian Regional Commission, Ohio Development Services Agency through the Ohio Governor's Office of Appalachia and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
In 2016, Ohio's Appalachian local development districts (LDDs) administered 50 ARC projects with $61,653,671 in total project costs which resulted in 748.5 new jobs and 1,782.5 jobs retained in the region. We accomplish this by fostering dynamic partnerships among local governments, building public-private alliances and making strategic investments. Ohio's Local Development Districts secured $45 in direct Appalachian project dollars for every $1 spent on administration.
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Buckeye Hills Welcomes Ben Carpenter to the Executive Board
Buckeye Hills is pleased to welcome Perry County Commissioner Ben Carpenter to its Executive Committee.
Prior to becoming a Commissioner, Carpenter served Perry County as Perry Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Administrator for 27 years.
He serves as the Flood Plain Administrator for Perry County. He has also served as the the Flood Plain Administrator for the villages of Crooksville, Glenford, Hemlock, New Straitsville and Junction City. He also served as a Perry County Deputy Sheriff.
After graduation from Sheridan High School, Carpenter enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He graduated from Muskingum Area Technical College (now Zane State) with an Associate's Degree in Applied Science in Parks Recreation and Wildlife. After working for the Muskingum SWCD, Carpenter returned to school at The Ohio State University. He graduated in 1989 from OSU with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agronomy and Ag Business and began his career with the Perry Soil and Water Conservation District.
He and his wife Katrina also own and operate Mt. Airy Beef where they raise and market grass fed cattle. They are the proud parents of Ben (Tammi), Mike (Heidi), Katie (Dave Whitlatch), Drew (Julia) & Izaak, and seven grandchildren.
Carpenter is a member of: Holy Trinity Parish; American Legion; Farm Bureau; FFA Alumni; Perry County Historical and Cultural Arts Society (life member); Buckeye Lake Museum and Historical Society (life member); Rural Action; and the NRA (life member).
He also serves on the Boards of the: Perry County Community Improvement Corp. (CIC); Ohio Hill Country Heritage Area;
Buckeye Lake Museum and Historical Society; The Buckeye Hills Natural Resources Assistance Council; the Ohio Hill Country Heritage Area; the Perry County Parks District;
Hocking Athens Perry Community Action Program (HAPCAP); Buckeye Hills RC&D;
Burr Oak Regional Water District; Coshocton Fairfield Licking Perry (CLFP) Solid Waste District and the Perry County Land Re-utilization Corporation.
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2017 Community Economic Development Strategy Annual Report Available for Public Comment
The 2017 Community Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Annual Report is now available for public comment
through April 28.
The (CEDS) provides an in depth economic and statistical analysis of the eight-county region covered by the Buckeye Hills EDA district.
You can view the report at:
http://ceds.buckeyehills.org/home/current/
This document provides updates to citizens and stakeholders of the progress toward the stated goals and objectives established during the 2015 CEDS revision. Updated statistical information and other data sets are included and referenced throughout the document.
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Transportation Improvement Plan Meetings Hosted in Region
The Buckeye Hills Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO), in partnership with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), hosted open houses to allow public comment on the region's Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). Representatives from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) were on hand to discuss the region's 2018-2021 Plan for ODOT programmed projects.
Shown from left at the Caldwell meeting is Caldwell Mayor Jon Bates;
Debra Fought of ODOT D-10 and Bret Allphin of Buckeye Hills.
The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a schedule of transportation improvements in the Buckeye Hills Regional transportation planning area (Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry & Washington Counties in southeastern Ohio). The TIP includes improvements to highways, public transit, bikeways, pedestrian facilities, bridges, traffic signals and other aspects of transportation systems.
RTPO Technical Advisory and Citizens
Committee Meeting: April 27 at 10 a.m. at Buckeye Hills - 1400 Pike St. Marietta
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The Area Agency on Aging 8 has been a program of Buckeye Hills-HVRDD since 1974; with the new name change, it will become the Buckeye Hills Regional Council Aging & Disability program.
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May Is Older Americans Month
Ohio's Theme: Age Out Loud!
More than 2.5 million Ohioans are age 60 or older today, and this group is growing more than 20 times faster than the overall population.
This brings many challenges for our communities, but it also presents some exciting opportunities. More than ever, older Ohioans are working longer, trying new things and engaging in their communities. They're taking charge, striving for wellness, focusing on independence, and advocating for themselves and others.
What it means to grow older in Ohio and America has changed, and Older Americans Month helps us celebrate those changes. The 2017 theme, Age Out Loud, gives a new voice to aging - one that reflects what today's older adults have to say about it. Now is the time for all of us to replace outdated views with perspectives that are based on facts and experiences instead of fear, and shine a light on many important issues and trends. Ohio has a tremendous opportunity for the future when we embrace our growing and changing population. It is time to Age Out Loud!
Source: Ohio Department of Aging
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Brandi Hesson, CIRS-A
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Medicare Counselors Can Help Secure Savings
Across the country, thousands of benefits counselors help people with Medicare find benefits that help them pay for prescriptions, health care, and other necessities.
Since 2009, benefits counselors, supported by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), have helped more than half a million vulnerable seniors and adults with disabilities apply for over $1.6 billion in benefits, and learn about preventive services that can help them stay healthy.
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Gerri VanNoy, SWA, CIRS-A
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In Southeast Ohio, Buckeye Hills Regional Council Aging & Disability
counselors Brandi Hesson, CIRS-A, and Gerri VanNoy, SWA, CIRS-A, are professional Information and Referral (I&R) Specialists in
Aging (CIRS-A).
Many Ohioans on Medicare with limited income and resources may qualify for the Limited-Income Subsidy (LIS), also called "Extra Help,"
and the Medicare Savings Program. LIS helps seniors pay for their Medicare Part D premiums, annual deductible and coinsurance for prescription drugs.
The Medicare Extra Help Program can save individuals an average of $325 per month on costs associated with prescription drugs.
In rural Ohio, many seniors are eligible for these programs, but are not enrolled. AAA8 wants to help spread the word and help Ohio's aging residents get the help they need for prescriptions. There are many reasons that folks who are eligible do not apply. Some simply don't know about the program or know how to apply. Many also assume that they make too much and are not financially eligible.
You can find the 2017 Medicare "Extra Help" eligibility.
If you know someone that may qualify, please ask them to call us toll-free at 1-800-331-2644 and ask for the Screening Department. In a matter of minutes, the staff at Buckeye Hills Regional Council can assist them with a free, over-the-phone application.
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Dates to Remember:
April 28 - Eastern Ohio Development Alliance (EODA)
Annual Meeting
May 5 - Buckeye Hills Regional Council Executive
Committee Meeting
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Buckeye Hills FY2016 Audit Report Available
The FY2016 audit report for Buckeye Hills is now available.
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Buckeye Hills Regional Council
740-374-9436 or 740-674-6400 | 1400 PIke St. - Marietta, OH 45750 |
www.buckeyehills.org
Misty Casto: Executive Director
Buckeye Hills Regional Council 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.
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