By Wayne Allen
The Joint Economic Development Initiative of Southern Ohio (JEDISO) was awarded the 2015 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Bronze Award for regionalism and cross-border collaboration.
According to choosesouthernohio.com, “JEDISO is an unincorporated, not-for-profit association with the purpose of support economic development in Scioto, Pike, Jackson and Ross Counties. It’s organized to advance, encourage and promote the industrial, economic, commercial and civic development of their counties and the surrounding region.”
A delegation from southern Ohio was in Anchorage, Alaska, attending the IEDC Annual Conference. Among the delegation is Jason Kester, Executive Director of the Southern Ohio Port Authority (SOPA).
IEDC describes their Excellence in Economic Development Awards as a way to recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials and the year’s most influential leaders.
Earlier this year JEDISO announced it exceeded $100 million in direct investment to the region.
JEDISO receives funding from the Fluor-B&W Community Commitment Fund, that’s used to enhance economic development.
In 2014 JEDISO and the Fluor-B&W Community Commitment Fund provided $244,000 in grants, with a total investment of $53,565,200. There were 462 jobs created and 1,326 jobs retained.
Thus far in 2015 Scioto County have had four projects, YEI Technology, PatterFam Sauces, Tri-America Contractors and Appalachian Wood Floors.
YEI Technology was awarded a $44,000 grant from the Fluor B&W Portsmouth Opportunity Fund to expand their production of computer sensors in Portsmouth. YEI Technology Chief Executive Officer Francesca Hartop, said the computer sensors manufactured in Portsmouth are purchased by a number of clients including the United States Navy. The YEI Technology had a total investment of $308,000, created 14 jobs and retained 17.
PatterFam Sauces received a $24,000 grant with a total investment of $475,000, eight jobs will be created and two were retained. Tri-America Contractors received a $40,000 grant with a total project investment of $389,127, eight jobs were created and one job was retained.
Appalachian Wood Floors (Phase I) has a total investment of $5,278,000 with 20 jobs created and 110 retained.
From the beginning of the year thru July JEDISO and the Fluor-B&W Community Commitment Fund provided $156,000 in grants, with a total investment of $39,980,127. There have been 184 jobs created and 195 jobs retained.
Between 2014 and July of 2015, JEDISO and the Fluor-B&W Community Commitment Fund provided $547,500 in grants, with a total investment of $111,809,327. There have been 749 jobs created and 1,521 jobs retained.
To learn more about JEDISO, the Fluor-B&W Opportunity Fund and economic development opportunities in Jackson, Pike, Ross and Scioto counties visit www.choosesouthernohio.com.
Wayne Allen can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 1933 or on Twitter @WayneallenPDT
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