January 22, 2021  |
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IN THE NEWS
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TREASURER SPRAGUE OPENS AG-LINK PROGRAM FOR 2021 GROWING SEASON
To help Ohio farmers and agribusinesses finance the up-front costs of this year's growing season, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague today opened the 2021 Ag-LINK application period. The application period will remain open through March 19.
"A thriving agriculture sector is a critical component of our state's overall prosperity, and I'm committed to supporting Ohio's farmers and agribusinesses," said Treasurer Sprague. "By making capital more affordable through interest rate reductions, Ag-LINK helps to alleviate some of the financial pressure faced at the beginning of each year's growing season."
Through this application period, farm operators and agribusiness owners based in Ohio can receive an interest rate reduction on loans up to $150,000. Although the exact amount of the discount will be provided to lenders in late March, a minimum one percent discount is in place.
The Ohio Treasurer's office administers the Ag-LINK program to help Ohio farm operators and other agricultural businesses finance the up-front operating costs for feed, seed, fertilizer, fuel, and other costs. Ag-LINK provides an interest rate reduction on agriculture business operation loans at eligible banks, credit unions, and farm credit lenders.
Eligible farm operators and agribusinesses:
- Must be organized for profit;
- Must have headquarters and 51% of operations maintained in Ohio;
- Must use the loan exclusively for agricultural purposes; and
- Must agree to comply with all program and financial institution regulations.
Ag-LINK has been supporting Ohio's farm community since 1986. In fiscal year 2020, the Treasurer's office helped 822 farmers and agribusinesses lower their interest rates for new loans totaling $91 million.
Those interested in Ag-LINK should contact their ag-lender to begin the online loan application process. More information on the Ag-LINK program can be found online here.
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 Southern Ohio Communication Services, Inc. Plans
$3.8 Million Investment To Provide Last-Mile Internet Service
Southern Ohio Communication Services, Inc., in collaboration with JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) and Pike County Economic & Community Development, today announced plans to invest $3.8 million to provide 1 Gig optical fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) high-speed Internet service over 64 miles to 1,300 residential and business customers in southern Ohio.
Company officials indicated the investment represents the first phase of a two phase approach to providing expanded optical fiber-to-home high-speed internet service within its rural footprint in Pike and Scioto Counties. In the second phase of the project, Southern Ohio Communication Services will make an additional investment that will result in optical fiber-to-home high-speed Internet service to residents and businesses in Southern Ohio. The current project will result in the creation of at least five new jobs and construction of a new warehouse to store equipment.
"We are excited to bring Gigabit-speed Internet to the homes and businesses in Southern Ohio," said Gary Cooper, President of Southern Ohio Communications. "The availability of fiber to the premises internet will improve the quality of life in rural areas. Connecting homes and businesses to the world-wide web increases access to healthcare, education, business and employment opportunities, gaming, social media, and entertainment in the beautiful hills of Southern Ohio."
A last-mile Internet service provider offers the network connections that link end-users to the wider Internet. The last mile refers to the final leg of the telecommunications networks that delivery services to customers. FTTH offers Gigabit-speeds that are considerably faster than a typical cable modem or DSL connection.......
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TechCred Application Period NOW Open
January 4 - January 29
The seventh TechCred application period opened today, January 4th and closes January 29th at 3:00 p.m.
TechCred helps businesses upskill their current and incoming workforce with tech-focused credentials. Businesses can receive up to $2,000 for each tech-focused credential earned, up to $30,000 per employer each application period.
Since the program's start, a total of 966 Ohio employers have been approved for funding, supporting the earning of 15,105 tech-focused credentials by Ohio employees.
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All spring fairs will be hosted virtually through the Handshake career platform. If employers are not already on Handshake, I invite them to create a free account at shawnee.joinhandshake.com.
Our upcoming fairs include:
· Healthcare: Thursday, Feb. 11, 4-7 p.m.
· Education: Thursday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
· Manufacturing & Technology: Thursday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
· Business & Professional: Tuesday, Mar. 16, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Please email Angie Duduit (Director, Career Services & Workforce Development)
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Waverly Dairy Queen
has successful reopening
During Tim Caldwell's time as owner of the Waverly Dairy Queen he has experienced what many would call a rollercoaster of events. Upon taking over the restaurant in 2017, Tim was a part of a remodeling process that left things looking up for the local DQ when it was finished in January of 2019. Not too long after that remodel was completed however, disaster struck.
On October 11, 2019, the store caught fire and burned down, which according to Caldwell occured due to an electrical malfunction over top of one of the restrooms. This was especially tragic considering the growth the restaurant was experiencing leading up to the fire.
"We were doing really well, especially after the remodel. The restaurant had a good face lift and we were getting systems in place. We did 20% more business in 2018 than what Dairy Queen had ever done here. Our 2019 numbers were on par to do even better than that." Caldwell said.
The process of rebuilding has been a long and difficult one with a lot of moving parts, but Caldwell says the people of Waverly have been very helpful in making the restaurant's reopening possible, "The city of Waverly was just outstanding. The first thing we did was contact the mayor's office and they were very helpful. They were willing to help with whatever we needed during the process." Caldwell also credits the local health department, whom he says has worked diligently both before and after the fire to maintain a good working relationship with the restaurant.......
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Pike Soil and Water Conservation District
2021 Tree and Wildlife Packet Sale
It is that time of year again! Anyone wanting to order tree seedlings from our office please click the button below and print an order form. Once the order form is completed with the things you would like to order, please mail the form along
with payment to: Pike SWCD, 11752 State Route 104, Waverly, OH 45690
Orders end on February 12, 2021 and tentative pick up will be the last Friday in March. If you have questions or would like additional information please contact us at 740-947-5353 or email at lydia.dresbach@oh.nacdnet.net.
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Chronic Disease Self-Management
Telephone Classes to Begin February 16
Wellness classes provided by the Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7) continue to be provided over the telephone as a way to continue these beneficial programs while promoting social distanicing during the pandemic.
Beginning February 16th, the AAA7 will be offering the popular Chronic Disease Self-Management Program through a telephone conference call. The format will allow the AAA7 to connect and support class participants while learning valuable tools to manage their chronic disease. The telephone conference classes will be facilitated by AAA7 staff through a toll-free call-in number. Classes will be held weekly on Tuesdays beginning February 16th through March 23rd from 10:30 am until 11:30 am.
Participants in the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program will gain needed support in addition to a number of other benefits including:
- Learning practical ways to deal with pain, fatigue and depression
- Discovering ways to be more physically active
- Learning how to eat healthier
- Learning better ways to talk with your physician and family about your health
- Setting personal goals
- Finding ways to relax and deal with stress
Those who are interested must pre-register for the class by February 2nd. Once registered.......
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Celebrating the career of Blaine Beekman
 One of Pike County's longest tenured public servants recently wrapped up over 45 years of work in the community.
Blaine Beekman has entered retirement, a state he sarcastically called "perfect", because there isn't much to do these days but turn on the news and view all the chaos that is taking place.
For a man who has kept as busy for as long as Beekman has, retirement will likely be a significant change of speed, but given the broad and lasting effect he has had on his community, it is a well deserved break.
Beekman refers to himself as an observer all throughout his lengthy career; and he began making observations about government and local politics early on while teaching, "While I was teaching PolySci at the college, of course I would talk to the state rep., talk to the Governor, and what I noticed is that during that time in Harlan County they were literally transitioning away from company coal towns and into villages that were independent. That was fascinating to me."
Beekman continued to keep an eye on what was happening around him, and he eventually would write a paper on the progress of Harlan County during that time. That piece was then presented at the annual community college symposium in the city of Lexington, Kentucky. Beekman had begun to establish himself as an up and coming student of local government.
With that newfound interest present in his mind, Beekman returned to Pike County to teach school. In 1975, the opportunity arose for Beekman to run for Waverly City Council and he seized it. After being elected, he took over a position he would hold for the next 10 years.
During his time on the council, Beekman was a teacher and coach at Waverly High School. In 1985, while president of the city council, he received a call that would prolong his journey in local government, "While I was president of the council, the mayor called me up and said 'Look, I'm going to resign, you're going to be mayor next week.', so I was appointed mayor and I held that position for 10 years. It was a great position."
During his time as mayor, Beekman also worked part-time with the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, which he called a "great job", because of the experience he was able to obtain in industrial development. The company "Mill's Pride" also entered the scene in Pike County during this time, which provided for a large boost in commerce for the county. Overall, this was a great time for the county and a great time for Beekman, who was continuing to gain valuable experience........
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