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Buckeye Hills Forward: A Regional Economic Plan

What does the future hold for Southeast Ohio? What do economic prosperity and resilience look like for those who live here? As an Economic Development District designated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Buckeye Hills Regional is responsible for working with local leaders and residents to draft and update a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) that encompasses Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington counties.

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Downtown in Athens Ohio, part of Buckeye Hills Forward

The next version of the CEDS, which looks ahead to 2025-2030, is titled Buckeye Hills Forward: A Regional Economic Plan.

This comprehensive economic development strategy is a locally based, regionally-driven economic development planning process and document that creates the space for our region to identify its strengths and weaknesses while bringing together a diverse set of partners to create good jobs, diversify the economy, and spur economic growth.

What’s Next?
In early 2024, through a series of eight county meetings and an online survey, Buckeye Hills Regional Council invited residents and regional stakeholders to share their thoughts on the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats in their community and Southeast Ohio. Those responses are helping shape Buckeye Hills Forward: A Regional Economic Plan. A draft will be released for public input in the fall of 2024. This input will be incorporated into the final plan that will be submitted to the U.S. Economic Development Administration in April 2025.

Buckeye Hills Regional Council completes a fully revised Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy every five years. During the revision years, annual reports are completed detailing any changes in information, demographics, statistics, or strategies. You can view past CEDS at the links below.

The Buckeye Hills Forward advisory group is made up of public- and private-sector representatives from across the Buckeye Hills region. Advisory Group meetings are scheduled for the following dates at Buckeye Hills Regional Council 1400, Pike Street, in Marietta. All meetings begin at 12:00 p.m.

  • February 1, 2024
  • April 25, 2024
  • August 29, 2024
  • December 12, 2024

Buckeye Hills Forward Advisory Group Members

  • Clara Bone, Ohio University Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service
  • Faith Knutsen, Ohio University Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service
  • Adam Kody, ACENET
  • Tasha Werry, Building Bridges to Careers
  • Joy Evangelista, Hocking County CIC
  • Gwynn Stewart, OSU Extension – Noble County
  • Jesse Roush, Southeast Ohio Port Authority
  • Sarah Arnold, OhioSE Economic Development
  • Jen Seifert, Survivor Advocacy Outreach Programs
  • Tony Huffman, Washington County Career Center
  • Alyssa Stephens, OSU Extension – Monroe County
  • Megan Riddlebarger, Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development
  • Bailey Venzin, Hocking Hills Chamber of Commerce
  • Ryan Collins, National Digital Inclusion Alliance
  • Justin Denius, Noble Local School District
  • Jeff Slack, Village of Roseville
  • Luann Cooperrider, Thornville Economic Development
  • Jason Hamman, Monroe County Port Authority
  • Shannon Wells, Morgan County Economic Development
  • Fred Redfern, Village of Crooksville
  • Jessie Powers, Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia
  • Greg Gifford, Caldwell Local School District
  • Daniel Leffingwell, Washington State Community College
  • Amy Grove, Retired/Ohio’s Winding Road
  • Brian Howard, BHRC Executive Committee
  • Perry Varnadoe, Meigs County Economic Development
  • Mollie Fitzgerald, Athens County Economic Development Council/Athens Port Authority
Woman attending BHRC community development seminar takes notes

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Need Help Planning a Project and Applying for Grants?

Our region has no shortage of good ideas. By completing our Ideas & Intake form, you are providing the information necessary to begin transforming your idea into a fundable project.

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