Buckeye Hills Regional Council is committed to assisting stakeholders across the region with identifying and securing resources that strengthen southeast Ohio communities. Completing Buckeye Hills’ online Project Profile questionnaire is the first step for local officials to pursue project funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission and other state and federal partners.
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life. Local Development Districts, like Buckeye Hills Regional Council, work in partnership with the ARC to promote regional strategies for partnerships, progress, and prosperity. To maximize investments made by the ARC in Ohio, the Governor’s Office of Appalachia (GOA) was formed in 1986 to enhance those opportunities with matching state funds for projects.
“When applicants submit a Project Profile it helps the Development staff at Buckeye Hills learn about upcoming projects that are important to our region’s communities,” says Interim Development Director Melissa Zoller. “Past ARC-funded projects have leveraged additional public funding to allow for the development of access roads, business expansion, healthcare upgrades, water and sewer upgrades and expansions, student development, job creation and retention to name a few. These projects have led to the improvement of resident’s health, education of students, upskilling of employees and growing tax base for villages and counties.”
The deadline to submit Project Profiles is noon April 2. Submitted projects should be focused on providing workforce development, job training activities, and public infrastructure. Projects must serve residents in one or more of the region’s eight counties: Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington.
The simple, self-explanatory Project Profile form collects basic information about projects including contact information, project description, type and readiness, regional impact, project partners, and total project costs.
“Not all projects will be selected to receive funding, but it is important for Buckeye Hills to learn about all of these projects so we can share these needs with our state and federal partners,” says Zoller. “These profiles help paint a picture of the investments that are needed the region. This list of projects will be used for more than one outcome. One goal is to select projects to be funded through ARC. However, as projects are reviewed our staff is able to discuss the projects with other agencies and help to cultivate projects for following years.”
For questions or further information regarding Project Profile submissions, please contact Melissa Zoller at mzoller@buckeyehills.org, or at 740-376-1027.