OVRDC Summary of Services

OVRDC Programs

Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC) is a public regional planning and economic development agency that coordinates federal, state and local resources to encourage development in twelve southern Ohio counties: Adams, Brown, Clermont, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton.

Established in 1967 as a not-for-profit corporation, OVRDC was designated by the State of Ohio in 1977 as a Regional Planning and Development Organization. OVRDC also serves as a Local Development District for
the Appalachian Regional Commission and as an Economic Development District for the U.S. Department
of Commerce, Economic Development Administration.

OVRDC is governed by a Full Commission of more than 150 officials who meet semi-annually. Members include representatives of county and local governments,
social service and educational organizations, minorities and the private sector. Membership in each county is referred to as a County Caucus. This Caucus serves as the forum for local project planning.

Routine oversight of the OVRDC is provided by an Executive Committee with representation from all twelve OVRDC counties; Portsmouth and Chillicothe; and the business/education/minority community. The Executive Committee’s monthly meetings are open to the public.

OVRDC receives financial support from a combination of federal and state grants and local service contracts. Member counties also pay annual fees to OVRDC, with contributions based on each county’s population.

This brochure briefly summarizes the services offered by OVRDC.

Development Planning Assistance

OVRDC helps subdivisions and organizations plan and secure funding for development-related projects such as construction, repair or upgrade of roads, bridges and water and sewer lines, industrial park development, as well as projects related to community services, education and workforce development. Staff offers expertise with the following funding sources:

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)

The ARC is a multi-state commission, which fosters development in Appalachia. Eleven of OVRDC’s twelve counties (all but Fayette) lie within the Appalachian region. ARC funding can assist with a wide variety of project activities in the areas of education, infrastructure, civic leadership, local economies and health. As a Local Development District, OVRDC provides guidance in the application process and in securing funding through the ARC.

Economic Development Administration (EDA)

A part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the EDA provides funding for job-creation projects in distressed areas around the nation. Assistance can also be provided to communities experiencing plant closures or significant job loss. OVRDC is a designated Economic Development District, providing guidance in the application process and in securing funding through the EDA. OVRDC submits a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) annually to the EDA. Any potential project seeking EDA assistance must be identified as a priority in the CEDS in order to receive funding consideration.

Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC)

OVRDC coordinates this state grant/loan program for the District 15 Public Works Integrating Committee (all OVRDC counties except Clermont). Eligible projects include the construction, repair or replacement of roads, bridges and water and wastewater infrastructure.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

OVRDC staff can provide financial packaging assistance and contract administration with projects involving Community Development Block Grant funding. For an administrative fee, OVRDC staff can help subdivisions develop and administer CDBG program applications.

USDA Rural Development

OVRDC signed a Partnership Agreement with the Ohio USDA Rural Development office in 1998. OVRDC staff can assist local communities and organizations with Rural Development grant and loan programs.

Other Infrastructure Planning Assistance

OVRDC staff can also advise subdivisions that wish to apply to other infrastructure funding sources. Contact the OVRDC office for more information.

Small Business Assistance
Low Interest Financing

OVRDC offers two low-interest Revolving Loan Fund programs to provide gap financing for small businesses seeking to start up or expand in the OVRDC district. The two RLFs, capitalized by the ARC and EDA, support private businesses that create or retain jobs.

International Trade Assistance

OVRDC provides international trade assistance to small and mid-sized businesses in the district, helping them grow in international markets. Participating companies receive regular trade opportunity notices and assistance in developing export markets for their products. OVRDC staff can also help companies analyze their export-readiness and marketing strategies. OVRDC-led trade missions/show participation targeting the wood industry of southern Ohio are also offered annually.

Entrepreneurial Assistance

Through its Successful Entrepreneurial Enterprise Development (SEED) Program, OVRDC offers mini-grants to entrepreneurs and small business owners for initial start-up and expansion costs such as legal, financial, marketing, engineering/architectural, etc. Mini-grants cannot exceed $5,000 of 75% of the total cost and are only available to businesses in the Appalachia counties of the region.

Data and Mapping

As a regional data center affiliated with the Ohio Department of Development’s Office of Strategic Research, OVRDC maintains a comprehensive database of national and state economic and demographic statistics, including U.S. Census information.

These data resources and the agency’s geographic information system services are available to communities, businesses and the general public upon request. A reasonable processing fee may be charged.

Strategic Planning

OVRDC offers its strategic planning expertise to member counties and communities. Staff can meet with local leaders to explain the strategic planning process and how to adapt it to a community’s needs.

OVRDC released its revised Strategic Plan in 1997 to guide the district’s development efforts over the next five years. The agency seeks to make the plan a responsive document that reflects the district’s ever-changing opportunities and challenges.

Intergovernmental Review

OVRDC is a designated Areawide Clearinghouse in Ohio’s Intergovernmental Review Process. OVRDC coordinates a preliminary review of most applications requesting federal funds. The review is intended to ensure that projects will not duplicate existing services or facilities and that those who might be affected have the opportunity to offer their input on a proposal. OVRDC’s Executive Committee serves as the review committee.

Transportation Planning

OVRDC began the process of major highway corridor transportation planning in 1998. The agency participated in the U.S. 23 corridor study and has assisted in the U.S. 35 corridor study. Various corridor maps, plans and data are available upon request. OVRDC will continue to offer planning and implementation support to the corridor committees and other priority projects.

Development Land Use Analysis

Using the resources available in the agency’s Geographic Information System and local knowledge, staff will perform an analysis of the land’s physical suitability to support various types of development. The end product of such an analysis is a development potential map: areas are classified into several categories of suitability for different types of development based primarily on physical characteristics of the land. The suitability analysis and greenway planning services are offered on a contractual basis.

Special Targeted Assistance

Because OVRDC is a large diverse district, some of our counties have special development needs that need to be addressed. OVRDC has secured two new grants to address some of these needs. Project Impact (EDA funded) will enable staff to provide flood mitigation planning assistance to some of our most flood prone communities in order to help reduce the impact of future floods. Staff will be working closely with local officials and flood plain managers in Adams, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike and Scioto counties to update information and identify problem areas.

Project Edge (USDA/RBOG funded) is a broadly based project that focuses on the economically distressed counties of Adams, Gallia, Lawrence, Pike, Scioto, and Vinton with the intent of improving infrastructure and business growth and development. Assistance will be focused in four basic areas: 1) planning and development of critical infrastructure, 2) tourism planning and marketing, 3) expansion of small business assistance, and 4) planning and development of a small business incubator facility.