News briefs: AARP Ohio awards grant to Chillicothe as part of nationwide program
CHILLICOTHE - The City of Chillicothe is thrilled to announce we have been selected to receive a 2023 AARP Community Challenge grant. It is one of only 310 grantees selected (out of 3,600+ applications) from across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
With this quick-action grant, the city will be able to install ADA-compliant walkways within the new Sixth Ward Park.
“AARP Ohio is committed to working with local leaders to improve residents’ quality of life through tangible changes,” said State Director Holly Holtzen. “We are proud to collaborate with this year’s grantees as they make immediate improvements in their communities to jumpstart long-term change, especially for Ohioans 50 and over.”
This project will help improve the built environment by creating access to parks, which have been shown to increase physical activity and improve mental health by increasing opportunities for social interactions. Specifically, the planned green space will include benches and walking paths, to target individuals 50-plus in this neighborhood and provide a space to walk to and enjoy. The AARP Community Challenge grant dollars will be applied specifically to the walkway, which will be ADA-compliant and be approximately 100 feet long and 5 feet wide.
“This project has truly been community-driven and only made possible through the support of community partnerships and organizations like AARP’s Community Challenge Grant. The community has been engaged and leading this project every step of the way. Providing park space is one step towards creating a built environment that supports a healthy community. This green space, walkway, and the playground will be a fantastic addition for residents and visitors alike,” said Luke Feeney, mayor of the City of Chillicothe
View the full list of grantees and their project descriptions at aarp.org/communitychallenge and learn more about AARP’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.
The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce concludes Ignite Appalachia Business Pitch Program
CHILLICOTHE — The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Ignite Appalachia and the Women’s Business Centers of Central Appalachia at SSU, completed their first business pitch program for Ross County on June 20 at Ohio University-Chillicothe.
Participants competed in a business pitch competition that evening, where they showcased their business in front of a panel of judges after meeting for seven weeks prior.
The cohort, facilitated by the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce, focused on core elements of developing a marketable business plan: Value proposition, market analysis, customer segmentation, marketing, and finance. Local business leaders volunteered as mentors during the cohort and provided invaluable feedback to the participants.
“Ross County has a strong entrepreneurial network and the Chamber felt that providing this type of intense learning experience would encourage these folks to take their ideas to the next level”, said Wendi Bennett, small business resource navigator for the Chamber. “It was amazing to see how well their ideas developed over time as well as the connections they made over the course of eight short weeks.”
Logan Detty, of Loge Media and Loge Marketing, took first place for his business expansion presentation and will go on to compete in the regional competition on August 5. Fran Crow of Woodpecker Pines Farm took second while Alan Miller of Anna Mary’s Fried Pies placed third. Each was awarded cash prizes of $4,000, $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.
Fluor-BWXT of Portsmouth sponsored the cash prizes directly, in hopes to aid entrepreneurs in startup funds.Ignite Appalachia, which originated in Portsmouth at the Kricker Innovation Hub, was able to expand to Ross County this year after partnering with the EDCI Women’s Business Center. Ross was one of seven counties hosting a cohort.
The remaining results of the competition are as follows:
Fourth: Paige Farmer with “Dear Sadie”
Fifth: Jessica Minney with “Without Her LLC”
Sixth: Daniel Griesheimer with “Ohio Creations, LLC”
Seventh: Shantiel Wood & Melissa Seeling with “Rustic & Renewed Treasures, LLC”
Eighth: Anne Holmes with “The Havin”
Plyley Lane to close temporarily
Scioto Township Trustees have announced that weather permitting, Plyley Lane will be closed July 10-12 at the Truss Bridge for repairs.
Meetings
Liberty Township Trustees will conduct its budget hearing meeting at 6:30 p.m. July 12 in the office of the fiscal officer at 4923 Vigo Road, Londonderry with its regular meeting to immediately follow.
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: AARP Ohio awards grant to Chillicothe as part of nationwide program
