October 20, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAFT ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $543,000 IN APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today announced that more than $543,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has been awarded to three grantees in Ohio’s Appalachian region for various community projects that will provide economic development and educational opportunities in the region.

“These funds will provide opportunities for growth in Ohio’s Appalachian region,” Taft said. “Assistance by the ARC and the State of Ohio is crucial in helping the region achieve its goals and enhance the quality of life of its residents.”

The following communities receiving assistance are:

The Village of Gnadenhutten, located in Tuscarawas County, will receive a $246,000 grant to improve the infrastructure serving an existing 30-acre industrial park, located at the intersection of Larson Road and Main Street. The funds will be used to construct an approximately 1,500-foot access road and add 1,900 feet of storm sewers. This project is necessary to accommodate the growth and expansion of the existing industrial park. This expansion project is expected to create 12 jobs and retain 39 positions.

The University of Akron - Wayne College, located in Orrville (Holmes County), will receive a $50,000 grant to purchase room dividers and lap top computers for the Holmes Higher Education Center in Millersburg. The Center offers continuing education courses and customized training for area residents and businesses, as well as specialized programs and services for the community. Materials purchased with this funding will substantially increase the capacity of the learning center, allowing it to offer twice as many courses and an expanded curriculum. At the end of the project period, it’s expected that more than 120 students will have completed a specific program or will be enrolled in the program.

The IT Alliance of Appalachian Ohio, located in Athens (Athens County), will receive a $247,626 grant to staff and equip specialized computer labs used to test interactive computer games and software. The IT Alliance of Appalachian Ohio, Ohio University College of Communications, Shawnee State College, Washington State Community College, Adena Adventures and the Appalachian Regional Entrepreneurship Initiative, will partner to develop interactive technology programs and centers. In addition to academic uses, the center will be available for use by businesses to develop and test new products. The center will also function as an incubator for entrepreneurs to develop, refine and launch their ideas. More broad-based collaboration among higher education institutes, businesses and the community will lead to more students receiving practical jobs skills, and those jobs becoming available in their local community. At the end of the project period, it’s expected that 545 students will have completed a specific program or will be enrolled in the program.

To qualify for funding, projects must meet at least one of the following criteria as set out by the ARC. They must either increase job opportunities and per capita income in Appalachia to reach parity with the nation; strengthen the capacity of the people of Appalachia to compete in the global economy; develop and improve Appalachia’s infrastructure to make the region economically competitive; and/or build the Appalachian development highway system to reduce Appalachia’s isolation

The Governor's Office of Appalachia, a division of the Ohio Department of Development, partners with three local development districts - the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission, Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association, and the Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District – along with the Governor's regional economic development offices to identify investment opportunities for funds provided by the ARC and Ohio General Assembly.

The Taft Administration has maintained a commitment to the Appalachian region of Ohio by providing matching state funds to allow for a significant increase in investments each year. The $4.4 million annually that Ohio receives from the ARC and $3.7 million it receives from the Ohio General Assembly has a significant impact on the State’s Appalachian region.

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