Monthly News & Updates:
May 2018
2017 Community Benefits Report Released

As a regional council of governments, Buckeye Hills continues to partner with member counties and communities to improve the region. At the April Semi-Annual Meeting, the 2017 Community Benefits Report was presented.
Within it are brief success stories and community benefits outcomes from the programs and services that align our efforts to achieve regional impact and success.
Read the Report! 


Last year, total costs for the Community & Economic Development projects completed were approximately $50 million dollars, with local communities and private business leveraging $19.5 million dollars against the $30.8 million dollars provided through state and federal funding sources.

As the Ohio Department of Aging designated Southeast Ohio Aging & Disability Resource Network, Buckeye Hills also administered more than $16.7 million dollars in aging program services in the past year leveraging more than $570,000 dollars of local community investment. 
2018-2019 Buckeye Hills Officers Elected

As Buckeye Hills Regional Council celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2018, the Executive Board and the organization's leadership team and staff have provided direction to move the organization into the future. This year, as we celebrate 50 years and reflect on our past, we maintain and continually enhance our vision for an improved quality of life for our future. Our dedicated executive committee meets monthly to review and provide input on the various projects, initiatives and operational elements of the organization.

Elected to lead the committee for 2018-19 are the following officers: President Ron Moore of Morgan County (center); Athens County Commissioner Lenny Eliason, Vice-President (left) and Marietta Mayor Joe Matthews,Treasurer.
Reminder: Infrastructure Survey Open  

As we announced on April 6 at our Semi-annual meeting, Buckeye Hills is now conducting a regional infrastructure needs survey. Click here to complete the brief survey. The survey will remain open until June 30.  
 
The survey is in anticipation of potential legislation regarding President Trump's infrastructure outline. Buckeye Hills is seeking information on specific projects that may be candidates for potential programming. This effort is focused on gathering information to build a regional case for investment; completing the form does not constitute an application for funding.
 
Types of activity being collected in the survey include: surface transportation (road, bridge, etc.); rail/cargo; ports and waterways; drinking water; storm water; transit; redevelopment (brownfield); public safety; recreation; arts/culture; airports; rail-passenger; flood control; wastewater; energy; broadband; public housing; education and health care.
 
The FY2018 Omnibus budget includes $21.2 billion in overall infrastructure funding. We will also continue to monitor any future legislation that may make additional infrastructure funding available.
 
For further information or questions about this effort, please contact Development Director Bret Allphin at ballphin@buckeyehills.org


Together to honor Dan Neff the Appalachian Regional Commission, were (from left): Misty Casto, Buckeye Hills Executive Director; Dan Neff, ARC Director of the LDD program; Scott Hamilton, Executive Director of ARC and Director Jason Wilson of the Ohio Governor's Office of Appalachia.

Dan Neff Honored at April Meeting
 
Upon his retirement from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Buckeye Hills Regional Council honored Dan Neff, Director of the ARC's Local Development District program, with its prestigious Appalachian Service Award. The Award recognizes a leader who exemplifies principles of vision, leadership, advocacy and commitment to the success of the Appalachian region and its residents. The award has been given only once before to honor retired U.S. Senator George Voinovich.

Since 2001, Dan has represented organizations like Buckeye Hills and our Ohio counterparts regionally and nationally. His career has also included service with the Ohio Governor's Office of Appalachia and with the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA) as a planner and economic development specialist.  

Bluebells are currently blooming along the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway near Hamley Run Road. The flowers are in the Athens Conservancy's Bluebell Preserve. Photo by Samantha Taylor
(Used with Permission)
 
Athens Conservancy awarded more than
$1 million in grant funding

By SAMANTHA TAYLOR Athens Messenger Staff Journalist (Used with permission)   

The Athens Conservancy was recently awarded more than $1 million to purchase three tracts of land and to fund invasive species control in one of its nature preserves.

That's a lot of money for the non-profit land trust.

"This is much more money than we usually receive in grants," stated John Knouse, Athens Conservancy board member, in an email to The Messenger.
The Conservancy received four total grants from the Clean Ohio Fund's Green Space Conservation Program.

One of these grants will allow the Conservancy to buy a 240-acre property between Athens and Strouds Run State Park. According to the Conservancy, this tract of land is the largest private holding in the Dow Lake watershed and includes nearly a mile of Strouds Run, the principal stream that feeds the lake.

The property will be dedicated as the Mary Beth Zak Lohse Nature Preserve, named in memory of a "widely appreciated leader in Southeast Ohio Conservation efforts" who helped found the Appalachian Ohio Group of the Sierra Club and served as conservation chair for the Sierra Club's Ohio chapter. She died in 2011.

The preserve will be located on both sides of Strouds Run Road and is next to Hawk Woods, an "exceptional stand of old-growth forest" in city-owned Riddle State Nature Preserve. The new property will act as a buffer to prevent Hawk Woods from any disturbance if the land were available for development, according to the Conservancy.
Read more  

Buckeye Hills Regional Council administers the region's Clean Ohio Fund program. 
$ponsor a $enior Supports Senior Farmers'  
Market & Project Lifesaver Programs 
 
Many income eligible seniors have already been added to waiting lists for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) that provide coupons to purchase locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables at markets in the region.
 
Though funded by both USDA and the Ohio Department of Aging demand is greater than traditional funding. Buckeye Hills created $ponsor a $enior to involve the community in helping meet the program's demand.

$ponsor a $enior donations also support the Project Lifesaver program. This technology, in the hands of certified law enforcement partners, helps find people with a cognitive disorder when they wander from a caregiver. Clients are outfitted with a transmitter about the size of a watch worn on the wrist or ankle. Should the client wander, the caregiver notifies 911 and the local Sheriff's Office immediately begins a search using Project Lifesaver equipment. Through community donations, the program is offered free to seniors and $350 will sponsor one enrollee.

Click Here to Donate or Learn More! 
 

May Is Older Americans Month 

This month we celebrate Older Americans Month, a nationwide observation held each year. The theme for celebrations this year is Engage at Every Age; it emphasizes that you are never too old (or young) to take part in activities that can enrich your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It also celebrates the many ways in which older adults make a difference in our communities.
Participating in activities that promote mental and physical wellness, offering your wisdom and experience to the next generation, seeking the mentorship of someone with more life experience than you-those are just a few examples of what being engaged can mean. No matter where you are in your life, there is no better time than now to start.
This Month, Take Your Selfie & Post #OAM18 
Older Americans Month is a great time to show the world you are never too old (or too young) to enrich your life and your community. Snap a selfie or have someone take a photo of you participating in activities that improve your mental and physical well-being. Then post it with the hashtag #OAM18.  

Learn More About Medicare
"Extra Help"!

For eligible seniors, the Medicare Savings program can assist with Medicare premiums and prescriptions costs. Call today to see if you are eligible for coverage that can help eliminate the "doughnut hole."

Call 1-800-331-2644 today!   
 
 
 
 
Upcoming Community Classes:
 

Falls Prevention Education Coach Training
June 12 from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Buckeye Hills Regional Council - 1400 Pike St. Marietta

If you have:
- Experience with and interest in working with older adults
- Knowledge about the special needs of older adults
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience with group process and facilitation
- Comfort with teaching, leading group discussion and role play
You are an excellent candidate for training!
For more information or to register contact Amy Nahley at 740-374-2782 x 3305 or anahley@wcgov.org or Barb Felton at 740-374-1799 or bfelton@mhsystem.org
There is no cost for this training. A light dinner will be provided for participants.

Upon completing their training, Leader Trainees must agree to schedule and implement two Matter of Balance workshop series within the first 12 months.
 
This training is made possible by a partnership between the Washington County Health Department, the Memorial Health System and Buckeye Hills Regional Council.   Download a flyer  
Save the Dates!   

May 4 
 Buckeye Hills Executive Committee Meeting  
May 6-12 
National Nurses Week
Thanks to the Nursing Staff at Buckeye Hills  
 May 10
Access Ohio is Ohio's long-range transportation plan. It will guide Ohio's transportation policies and investment strategies for the next 20 years by looking at where we could be in 2045. The world keeps changing and Ohio wants to prepare for these changes while making wise investment decisions.

ODOT Access Ohio 2045
Long-Range Transportation Planning Public Meeting
Buckeye Hills Regional Council
Conference Center
(1400 Pike St. in Marietta)
May 10 from 5-7 p.m. with a 5:30 presentation.

Details and a survey link, in case you can't attend, at Access.Ohio.gov
May 11 
Americans with Disabilities Transition Plan & Compliance
Lunch & Learn (Learn more!)
Sponsored by DLZ & Led by:
DLZ's Stephen G. Metzer, AICP, PWS
Register at ofrench@dlz.com 
May 22 
State of the Region Conference   
Ohio University, Athens
Baker Center Ballroom (a Free event!)
Register Now! 
June 15    



June 15 is Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Wear Purple! 
June 22  Please note date change for Buckeye Hills Executive Committee Meeting (from June 1) 
Oct. 5 
Semi-Annual Buckeye Hills Regional Council General Policy Council Meeting & 50th Anniversary Celebration 
  
Join the $50 for 50 Partnership Program

The Partnership Program is an opportunity for you to become a part of the Buckeye Hills Regional Council's 50th Anniversary Celebration.  Send in $50 in recognition of your support and partnership during our 50 years of service to the 8-county region.
Send your $50 for 50 Investment to: 1400 Pike St. Marietta, OH  45750
 
You'll be listed on the special 50th Anniversary Celebration Signage.
Partners as of April 30, 2018:   
Thanks to Our 2018 $50 for 50 Partners!
  • Eastern Ohio Development Alliance 
  • Joe & Sally Matthews
  • Meigs County CIC
  • Morgan County CIC
  • Ohio Rural Water Association
  • Boyer & Judy Simcox
  • Roger & Wanda Stivison
Buckeye Hills Regional Council
 740-374-9436 or 740-373-6400 | 1400 Pike St. - Marietta, OH  45750  www.buckeyehills.org

Misty Casto - Executive Director
Rick Hindman - Asst. Executive Director
Bret Allphin - Development Director
Jennifer Westfall - Aging & Disability Program 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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