10 in 10 Initiative

The Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs in partnership with the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission, through a grant award from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), is assisting Jackson County in its 10 in 10 Initiative. This county-wide effort will help to create 10,000 jobs in 10 years for the region by developing industry-targeted economic growth strategies that will help sustain current jobs and lead to the creation of future ones. Through this process the group will make decisions and take actions to promote sustainable job growth. This year the group identified targeted industry sectors for further research to see what opportunities may exist related to new sectors or supply chains within those broad sectors. Fourteen sectors were identified, and a survey was taken to prioritize the top 3 industries to target. Those industries chosen to further analyze are: Advanced Energy, Data processing, information services/Office admin services (including medical coding and billing) and Frozen Food Manufacturing Supply Chain. As the process continues, the group will identify suppliers within these broad sectors. For example, for food manufacturing, the county may look at supplies that are needed, such as meat products or packaging supplies etc. Once the businesses are targeted, the group will begin marketing efforts and strategies to locate businesses to the industrial sites and buildings in Jackson County.

Another important component within the 10 in 10 Initiative is a formalized and structured Business Retention and Expansion program (BRE). The purpose of the program is to assist Jackson County businesses retain employees and recognize expansion opportunities. It is a tool for economic development leaders to be more proactive and develop relationships with our businesses that will help them in the long term. The field of focus is broad to include everything from workforce training, to processes, incentives and opportunities.

If you are interested in promoting economic growth in Jackson County and the region, please join other community leaders who have volunteered to be part of the 10 in 10 Initiative by contacting the Jackson County Economic Development Board office.

Connecting Jackson County

Connecting Jackson County is a partnership with JCEDB, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, City of Jackson, City of Wellston, Village of Coalton, Village of Oak Hill, and the Jackson County Rural Water Company. This comprehensive broadband project will provide the businesses and residents of Jackson County with county-wide wireless broadband internet coverage.

JCEDB is in talks with the project partners to leverage vertical assets owned by the partners (primarily water towers) to a single Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) that will not only provide wireless broadband internet service to the unserved and underserved portions of Jackson, but will provide Jackson County with redundant wireless broadband internet coverage county-wide.

JCEDB is planning to issue a Request for Proposal sometime in spring of 2011 with deployment to begin as soon as possible.

Renewable Energy

Jackson County Telegram News 10/6/2010

The newly announced plans to build a solar-power generating plant in Noble County may lead to some very good economic development news for Jackson and Jackson County.

Both Congressman Zack Space's office and Jackson Mayor Randy Heath have confirmed to The Telegram that the former Meridian Plant building in Jackson is in the running to be the site of one of two new manufacturing facilities that would build component parts needed by the solar plant. The solar plant is expected to be operational by 2012.

The Meridian building in Jackson has been empty for several years ever since the Michigan-based company closed it. Meridian and its predecessors had provided an average of several hundred jobs at that site for more than 40 years. The building is now owned and maintained by the Jackson CIC.

The Spanish-owned company, Prius Energy S.L., will be manufacturing trackers for the solar plant while a second Spanish company, Isofoton, will be building solar panels for the solar plant. Both have pledged to find manufacturing sites in Ohio -- it's just a question of where.

A spokesman for Congressman Space told The Radio Wednesday that the congressman is pushing very hard for several sites in Southeastern Ohio, one of which is the former Meridian Plant in Jackson. He said "all options are on the table" and that both Spanish companies would provide "good-paying jobs."

Like the congressman, Mayor Heath is very excited about the possibility of new jobs in Jackson, but stressed that no decisions have been made. However, he feels that the former Meridian Plant is one of those sites that will receive very serious consideration.

Further, Mayor Heath says he believes that Jackson's best chance is for the tracker plant, which is expected to hire 80 employees for its startup. Another reliable source indicates the solar panel plant would hire about 200 employees at the outset.

Congressman Space's spokesman expects representatives from one or both of the Spanish companies to tour the former Meridian site in the near future and that decisions could be made in the near future.

See complete article

 

SOACDF Grant Funds

July 9, 2010
SOACDF Grant funds available for job creation in Jackson County

JACKSON COUNTY – The Jackson County Economic Development Board announces that there is $20,000 in grant funds currently available through the Southern Ohio Agricultural and Community Development Foundation (SOACDF) for Jackson County for the Fiscal year starting July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011. The mission of the grant is for the foundation to sponsor strategic investments in communities that have been adversely affected by the reduction in the demand for tobacco.

Private sector business and industry, political subdivisions and public nonprofits may apply. Colleges and universities may apply for projects that are private-sector driven.

The criteria for grant eligibility are extensive, but the main points to note are: Funds may be used for capital improvements, fixed assets or land acquisition. There must be a job retention or creation component. Job creation is defined as a year round full time job and a minimum of 32 hours per week. An applicant can request up to $10,000 per each full-time job created, with $20,000 being the maximum allocation. SOACDF will fund a maximum of 35% of the total project. Priority will be given to agribusiness/agri-industry-related projects. Permanent improvements can only be made on or to property owned by the applicant.

Several project types are ineligible including retail use point of sale (except for agribusiness), lodging, restaurants, vehicles that require a license, personal care businesses, and computer/internet services. SOACDF funds may not be used for operating expenses, working capital or debt reduction. Funds may not be used to reimburse for costs incurred in projects prior to grant approval and execution. Additional criteria apply.

The Jackson County Economic Development Board Office serves as a liaison to the foundation in assisting new and existing businesses for the betterment of Jackson County’s economy.

Application information and timelines may be obtained by contacting Jennifer Jacobs at the JCEDB office at (740) 286-2838 or by visiting www.soacdf.net. All completed applications must be submitted to the JCEDB and reviewed by the county review committee to be considered for funding.