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Monthly News & Updates:
July 2018
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Businesses in downtown McConnelsville, Ohio. Photo: Erin Clark.
Building Hope in Appalachian Ohio
Several months ago, the editorial team of Yale Insights magazine began work researching and writing an article covering economic development in Appalachian Ohio. Ted O'Callahan, the senior editor, was so impressed with the innovative work taking place throughout Appalachian Ohio that he decided to expand the original standard-length feature story to cover a full issue including a photo essay and four extended interviews offering complementary perspectives. We strongly recommend that everyone read this thought-provoking and inspiring portrait of Appalachia. Three of the persons interviewed for the piece were from Ohio's Buckeye Hills' region. Numerous individuals from the Buckeye Hills region were interviewed for this piece and we are extremely proud of our own Bret Allphin, Development Director of Buckeye Hills Regional Council, who lent his expertise and insight to this enterprise as well. The whole story, including the interviews, can be found
HERE.
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Natural Resources Assistance Council Awards District 18 More than $1.8 Million in Clean Ohio Funds
Buckeye Hills Regional Council announces nine projects that were awarded over $1.8 million in Clean Ohio Conservation grant Funds (COCF) in Round 12 for District 18. The Natural Resources Council (NRAC) program is part of Clean Ohio approved by Ohioans in 2008.
The COCF can be used to acquire green space and/or restore riparian corridors. Local governments, park and joint recreation districts, conservancy districts, soil and water conservation districts, and non-profit organizations located in District 18 (Athens, Belmont, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry & Washington Counties) are eligible to apply. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Hyer at (740) 376-1025.
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Buckeye Hills Revolving Loan Fund Offers Financing
The Buckeye Hills Regional Council Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) offers loans to businesses in the eight-county region. The District includes Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Washington Counties. Such funds are used in the event that full financing cannot be obtained from a bank, or as gap financing between a bank loan and the financing necessary to complete a proposed business project. All projects require bank participation. The RLF does not provide 100% financing for any project.
Eligible Applicants:
Existing or new for profit business, partnership, cooperative or corporation engaged in manufacturing, service or retail activities, that will be or is presently located within the Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District.
One full-time job equivalent (40 hours per week) must be created or retained for every $25,000 of Revolving Loan Fund financing requested.
Eligible Activities:
Acquisition and improvement of land and buildings, construction, machinery and equipment, working capital, and start-up capital.
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RTPO Technical Advisory & Citizens Committee Rescheduled for Sept. 14
Due to a conflict with the Ohio Freight Conference (Aug. 15-17), the previously scheduled Buckeye Hills Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) Technical Advisory and Citizens Advisory Committee on August 17, will be rescheduled for Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. at 1400 Pike Street, Marietta, OH.
If you have any questions regarding this meeting, please contact Karen Pawloski,Transportation Planning Manager, at 740-376-7658.
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Shown on her new wheelchair ramp is Heather Haslam with
Buckeye Hills Regional Council Housing Coordinator Joe Gage.
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Area Residents Benefit from Home Accessibility & Repair Options
Nestled near the creek off the National Forest Scenic by-way in Monroe County is a log home with a new handicap access ramp. For individuals like home owner Heather Haslam trying to "age in place" or those with disabilities working for independence, the Buckeye Hills Regional Council's Home
Accessibility Modifications and Minor Home Repair
program is making a difference.
Administered through Buckeye Hills in its 8-county southeast Ohio region, the program makes
grants available for income-eligible families or individuals with a disability of any age or seniors 60+ who own their home or have a life estate in the property.
"Heather's lupus diagnosis and chronic heart condition have her acutely aware of what's to come with her conditions," said Joe Gage, Buckeye Hills Housing Coordinator. "For residents like Heather who qualify, program funds may be used to assist with the costs associated with accessibility modifications such as widening doorways, wheelchair ramps, handicap modifications of a bathroom or kitchen and other minor home repairs."
Gage is also an Aging-In-Place Specialist through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) developed to support the growing number of consumers that need "age in place" housing modifications.
"They did a wonderful job with the ramp project," shared Haslam. "My neighbor was even asking about who helped me with it." She added that as her condition declines, she recently got her new wheelchair and is now getting used to navigating with it on the new ramp.
The program will assess the home for eligible repairs and develop specifications for repair and bid the project to qualified contractors to complete the modifications. Gage is responsible for administering the BHRC Housing Program across the 8-county region. He can help eligible residents answer questions such as "how can I make my kitchen more functional; how do I modify my bathroom or home entrance and what type of contractor should I use?"
Resources are available to fund accessibility modifications for income eligible families or individuals with a disability of any age or for minor home repairs for those income eligible over 60 years of age who own their home or have a life estate in the property. In 2018: One-person households served under this activity must be at or below the $21,500 annual income level. For more information, call 1-800-331-2644 or visit
www.buckeyehills.org
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Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Observed
Members of the Buckeye Hills Regional Council board members and staff encouraged awareness of elder abuse on June 15 by wearing purple.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is celebrated on June 15 of each year. We encouraged residents to wear purple and learn more. We recognize older adults and the people who serve them as vital partners in our communities.
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Buckeye Hills Can Help Eligible Ohioans with Summer Heat
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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!
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Save the Dates!
| July 10 |
Join Us July 10 for the Ohio Association of Regional Councils'
2018 Candidates Forum
Registration Deadline: July 2
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| Aug. 3 |
Appalachian Development Corporation Meeting
Buckeye Hills Regional Council Executive Committee Meeting
(Due to the holiday, no meetings will be held in July)
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| Aug. 15 - 17 |
2018 Ohio Conference on Freight Registration is now open!
Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, Cincinnati, OH
The Ohio Conference on Freight is the Midwest's leading freight conference, convening over 300 professionals from across North America to share their expertise in the areas of supply chain/logistics, smart transportation technology and federal and state policies supporting freight-related transportation and economic development.
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Sept. 14
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RTPO Technical Advisory & Citizens Committee Meeting
Buckeye Hills Regional Council Executive Committee Meeting
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Oct. 5
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Semi-Annual Buckeye Hills Regional Council General Policy Council Meeting & 50th Anniversary Celebration |
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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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We're on LinkedIn!
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