Buckeye Hills Announces Grants Application Process
Regional Project Profiles Being Accepted for Funding Consideration
Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District (BHHVRDD) is committed to assisting the counties in its region with securing grant funding for projects. A new process has been developed for submitting projects for consideration for a variety of grant programs including The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and The Economic Development Administration (EDA).
Buckeye Hills has adopted a project profile system, similar to the process used for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects. This year, grant applicants will complete the basic project profile form. The simple, self-explanatory form collects basic information about the project, including: contact information; project description, type and readiness; regional impact; funding sources and total project costs; and project partners.
Qualifying state and local agencies and governmental entities, local governing boards (such as county councils), and nonprofit organizations (such as schools and organizations that build low-cost housing) may apply for the competitive grants programs. Representatives from these organizations may draw from the expertise and assistance available from Buckeye Hills to navigate the grants process.
Applicants complete the form and submit it to Buckeye Hills. Based on the project information provided, staff will determine the proper potential funding source (ARC, CDBG, EDA, etc.) and begin the process of assembling budgets and requesting full project applications.
“Over the past year, the Development staff secured financing for more than 50 projects that have a positive impact on residential and commercial sectors,” said Executive Director Misty Casto. “These projects improve the quality of life for the people of the region. Total costs for projects exceeded $32 million, with local and private resources providing over $9 million.”
Projects must serve residents in one or more of the region's eight counties: Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington. While each funding source with has specific goals, they generally address the following issues: create/retain private sector jobs (ARC, EDA); extend or upgrade water or sewer services (ARC, CDBG); provide quality health care (ARC); provide job skills training (ARC); and/or develop or improve infrastructure for residents (ARC).
The project profile is available on the BH-HVRDD web site at <a href="/a>. The project form can be completed electronically or by hard copy. All Project profiles are due to BH-HVRDD no later than 5p.m. Friday June 5. For answers on questions regarding the project profile process call Charmel Wesel at (740) 374-9436.