1. Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC)
Presentation at:
2012 Community Development Conference
Salt Fork Lodge, Cambridge, Ohio

2. Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC)
Authority -- Ohio Revised Code, Section (Regional Planning Commission)
OVRDC is a Public Entity; it is NOT a non-profit
OVRDC is a regional planning and economic development agency which coordinates federal, state and local resources to encourage development in 12 southern Ohio counties
Economic Development District (EDD) -- recommended by the Governor and approved by Economic Development Administration (EDA)
Local Development District (LDD) -- recommended by the Governor & approved by Appalachian Regional Commission, 11 counties
Area member counties (Adams, Brown, Clermont, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton)

4. Structure of OVRDC
Membership -- Categories specified in Bylaws for each of 12 counties, totals 177 (174 actual) members (Caucus members are Full Commission members);
Authority -- Final review and approval of all actions of the Executive Committee, annually elects Executive Committee members and officers;
Meetings -- Twice a year, March (annual elections) and September (annual appreciation).

5. Structure of Executive Committee
Membership – 27 members -- Caucus Chairman for each county, six private sector members, six members-at-large (chamber, workforce development, labor, post-secondary education), minority member, mayors of Chillicothe and Portsmouth, and officers;
Officers -- Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Executive Director serves as Secretary;
Authority -- “All of the powers and duties of OVRDC (as specified in Section 5.02 of the Bylaws) … shall be possessed and may be exercised by the Executive Committee; OVRDC’s “governing body”.
Meetings – At least 8 times annually; by the last Thursday of the month; (except August and December)
Quorum -- Representatives from at least 7 counties

6. Other Committees
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) or “Strategy” Committee
Nominating Committee
Finance/Audit Committee (composed of officers)
Personnel Committee
Minority Caucus (member from each county)
Project Review Committee (member from each county, named by Caucus)
Loan Review Committee (member from each county, recommended by County Commissioners)
Ad-Hoc Committees

7. OVRDC Staff John Hemmings, Executive Director
Michele Throckmorton, Development Director
Juanita Bragg, Finance Director
Sharon Clark, Administrative Assistant
Jason Gillow, Research/Planning Specialist
Shannon Nichols, Program Secretary
Jessica Purdon, Economic Development Specialist
Kim Reynolds, Community Development Coordinator
TBD, Bookkeeper/Secretary (VACANT)

8. Services and Programs
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) project development
Economic Development Administration (EDA) project development
Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) project development
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project administration
Data and Mapping Services
Revolving Loan Fund
Building Entrepreneurial Communities
Industrial Property Mapping and Data/Marketing
Broadband Advocacy

9. Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
ARC region covers parts of 12 states and all of W.Va.; divided into 73 Local Development Districts (LDDs)
OVRDC is 1 of 4 LDDs in Ohio serving a total of 32 counties
All OVRDC counties except Fayette are in ARC region (11 of 12)
Ohio receives approximately $4.6 million in ARC funds annually based on 2012 budget figures
Additionally, the State of Ohio provides Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) funds for projects in Appalachia Ohio totaling approximately $3.7 million annually based on current budget figures

10. ARC Goals Four Goal Areas:
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.
Build the Appalachian Development Highway System to reduce Appalachia’s isolation.
Eligible projects must meet objectives under one or more of these four goal areas
Basic Agency Requirements

11. ARC Programs
Applicants can apply up to $250,000 for the following programs:
Area Development Program – Funds available for projects that help communities create and retain businesses and jobs; help communities develop an educated, skilled workforce and create access to affordable, quality health care; and support the development and improvement of infrastructure.
Distressed Counties Program – Special funds for the Region's most distressed areas; Adams, Pike and Vinton Counties are the only eligible areas in the OVRDC region.
Rapid Response -- provides matching funds to projects that will have a significant impact in a short period of time. Job creation is strongly emphasized. All activities funded must be completed and ready for use within one year from the date the grant agreement is executed.
Applicants can apply up to $500,000 for the following program:
Access Road Program – Funds from the Federal Highway Trust Fund targeted to better link the Region's businesses, communities, and residents to the Appalachian Development Highway System and to other key parts of the Region's transportation network. Funds must be administered by ODOT.
Applicants can apply for small grants under the following program:
Regional Initiatives– Projects must be related to Asset Based Development, Broadband, Energy, or Entrepreneurship. Priority consideration given to energy and broadband projects. Projects are funded as the need arises.

12. ARC Eligible Applicants
Political subdivisions (county, city, village)
Educational institutions (school district and vocational school districts, colleges and universities)
Public institutions (port authorities, libraries)
Non-profit Organizations (community improvement corporations, social service agencies)

13. ARC Grant Eligibility Rate
Distressed counties for FY’2013
Adams, Pike and Vinton Counties
Total of seven (7) in Ohio
Eligible for 80% grant rate
50% of ARC funds to be invested in these counties
At-Risk Counties for FY”2013
Gallia, Highland, Jackson, and Scioto
Total of eleven (11) in Ohio
Eligible for 70% grant rate
Transitional counties for FY’2013
Brown, Clermont, Lawrence, and Ross
Total of 14 in Ohio
Eligible for 50% grant rate
Competitive counties for FY’2013
None
Attainment counties for FY’2013

14. ARC Project Development Process
OVRDC staff discuss eligible projects (State, ARC, EDA grants) and hand out ARC pre-applications at First County Caucus meeting (by end of February);
Project Review Committee member for each county is responsible for getting pre-applications to additional applicants;
Applicants will submit FY 2014 ARC pre-applications to OVRDC by April 19, 2013
OVRDC staff reviews ARC pre-applications from each county and rates each one (April-May);
OVRDC staff conducts Second County Caucus meeting to prioritize ARC pre-applications (by end of June);

15. ARC Project Development Process (Continued):
OVRDC Project Review Committee reviews and approves regional prioritization of projects (July);
Executive Committee approves project package (July) and staff submit ARC project package to GOA (end of July);
OVRDC staff meet with GOA and other three LDDs to compile initial Ohio ARC priority projects (August);
OVRDC staff meet with project applicants and assist in completing full applications (September-December).

19. Project Profile Village of Crown City Wastewater Facility Project
The project includes the construction of a new 47,455 linear feet sanitary sewer system and a 60,000 MGD treatment facility.
Results include the retention of 19 jobs and 413 residents/183 households served with sanitary sewer.
Basic Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Funding:
ARC $ 250,000 5% of project
OPWC Grant $ 500,000
CDBG W & S $ 500,000
OPWC Loan $ 358,000
EPA Loan $2,992,000
Total $4,600,000

20. Project Profile UC Clermont College Center for Advanced Manufacturing
The project consists of purchasing advanced manufacturing equipment to provide training, certificates and degree programs in manufacturing and computer-aided design to enter the workforce.
Results include 35 jobs created by Cincinnati Milacron.
Basic Agency: None Required; ARC non-construction
Funding:
ARC $250,000
UC Clermont College $254,400
Total $504,400

21. ARC’s Future and Your Role
Work with your LDD to showcase successful ARC projects (groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, tours of projects)
Submit projects that can be accomplished in a timely manner (consider impact on future ARC/GOA funding and other applicants)
Utilize ARC funds to the greatest extent possible as “gap financing” funds; leverage other resources
Jobs creation/retention are key elements to continued funding for ARC/GOA

22. Questions? Michele Throckmorton, Development Director
John Hemmings, Executive Director
Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission
PO Box 149
Waverly, Ohio 45690
(740) or (800)
(740) MT or (740) JH
Fax: (740)