MCCESC provides educational services for the counties’ most vulnerable children. Dr. Kaffenbarger has worked with his administrative team over the past several years to establish a mission of “We Work to Serve,” and the staff does just that.
Using the STAR of customer service (Serving others, Teamwork, Attitude, Reliability), supervisors within the agency work to encourage their teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, and many others to exude a servant’s heart. Dr. K was most recently named the Outstanding Superintendent by the Southwest Region of the Ohio School Boards Association. His excellent performance is demonstrated through the hard work he puts forth on a daily basis to support the requests and needs of the nine districts and two career-tech centers served by MCCESC. Dr. K holds monthly meetings for superintendents – one for Madison County and one for Champaign County. He holds quarterly meetings for area principals and serves on the Business Advisory Council, Kiwanis, and the Family Children First Council, along with being a leader within his church. About LifeChanger of the Year Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, LifeChanger of the Year recognizes and rewards the very best K-12 educators and school district employees across the United States who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership. Each school year, LifeChanger of the Year receives hundreds of nominations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Eighteen individual LifeChanger of the Year awards will be given during the 2021-2022 school year. 1 Grand Prize Winner – will receive $10,000 to be shared with their school/district. 4 Grand Prize Finalists – will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school/district. 10 LifeChanger Award Winners – will receive $3,000 to be shared with their school/district. 1 Spirit Award Winner – This award is given to the nominee whose community demonstrates the most support for their nomination. The winner will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school/district. 1 Capstone Award Winner – This award is given to a nominee retiring at the end of the 2019-20 school year. The winner will receive $3,000 to be shared with their school or district. 1 Spotlight Award Winner – This award is given to a nominee in a specific discipline each year. For 2021-22, the Spotlight Award will be given to a school nurse. The winner will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school or district. Winners are chosen by a selection committee comprised of former winners and education professionals. Nominees must be K-12 teachers or school district employees. To be considered for an award, nominees must make a positive impact in the lives of students; enhance their school or district’s atmosphere, culture and pride; demonstrate exemplary leadership at the school and/or district level; possess a proven record of professional excellence; show commitment to building a nurturing environment that supports learning; adhere to the highest moral and ethical standards. A resource page with ideas for how to celebrate nominees can be found at http://lifechangeroftheyear.com/showspirit/. To view Dr. Kaffenbarger’s LifeChanger of the Year nominee profile, or to nominate someone from your school community, visit www.LifeChangeroftheYear.com.
“Richard Ebert as the incoming Executive Director will be a welcome addition to the Champaign Economic Partnership,” Bailey said. “His previous work experience and knowledge of the community is a vital asset to this position. Richard is a lifelong resident of Urbana/Champaign County and will have the best interest of the community in this new role. I look forward to seeing Champaign County continue to flourish.”
As a lifelong resident of Urbana, small business owner and fervent servant of his community, Ebert knows the importance of making connections that benefit the community. “We have experienced a tremendous amount of growth over the past few years. I want to continue assisting with that growth and look forward to finding solutions for our county businesses,” explained Ebert upon the announcement of his appointment. Ebert goes on to share that working with Bailey certainly influenced his plan to expand current economic development. “My goal is to continue to grow CEP, create new opportunities and continue to look for ways to make connections between entities that benefit so many people.” Ebert’s roots run deep in his community. He is both an alum of Urbana High School and the former Urbana University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Human Service Leadership. While serving professionally in many capacities, he most recently worked under the umbrella of the Champaign County Clerk of Courts as an Assistant Manager with the Champaign County BMV. He currently owns an entertainment business, Ebert Entertainment, where he is the DJ/Master of Ceremonies, served as an elected official for Urbana City Council and he and his wife have both owned small businesses located in Monument Square. His volunteer work includes being a member and chair for the City of Urbana Planning Commission and Urbana City Schools as the voice of the Urbana High School Marching Band. Ebert says he has always had a calling to work within the business community of his hometown. “What Marcia has created, in essence, is a dream job. Our local county businesses are so vitally important. Being able to better serve them and the county communities is something I feel very strongly about.” Kyle Hall, President of The Hall Company and President of CEP Board of Trustees shared his excitement for the future of Champaign County with Ebert onboard, “Richard has demonstrated a passion for Champaign County’s success over the years and is excited to get started. We look forward to seeing continued growth for our county and its towns and cities as we move forward.” Ebert plans to hit the ground running. “I am looking forward to meeting and talking to the business leaders and employers in our community. I am also excited to meet with the county villages and find out their hopes and dreams for their economic development,” he said. “I look forward to finding where I can be of the most assistance and really talk about strengths and opportunities where CEP can benefit those we serve.”
“What we really pride ourselves on here is being able to act as liaisons between government and business,” said Bailey. “Being a resource that can join those kinds of entities together and look at the bigger view is important.” She believes that when businesses and government work together, it’s a recipe for growth for the whole community. “There’s not a silver bullet to any one particular way that’s better than not, but I think for us and our community, it needs to be that collaborative partnership with public and private.” Bailey has been with the CEP since its inception seven years ago following a discussion with Pioneer Rural Electric Co-op, the Champaign County Commissioners and the city of Urbana. “I was able to get the office up and running, hire a staff person, get the CEP board created and organized, create the CEPohio.com website and the newest addition ChampaignWorks.com. The first big accomplishment was making this economic development agency a reality,” she said. “It’s through the support of the county commissioners, city of Urbana, villages of St. Paris, North Lewisburg and Mechanicsburg, and then private industry, helping to support this agency as a whole.” Some of the projects Bailey has worked on include the clean-up, new ownership and redevelopment of the former Q3 building on Miami St., bringing the Cobblestone Hotel to Urbana under local ownership, Advanced Technology Products expansion to Mechanicsburg and the Sutphen Corporation announcement to consolidate three facilities into a new building in Urbana. She was also instrumental in implementing a housing survey that she hopes will convince developers there’s a need for more housing in Champaign County. The Legacy Place project (North and South elementary buildings and Douglas Hotel) are examples of housing redevelopment of landmark buildings in the community. In addition to bringing new businesses and talent to the area, Bailey has worked to expand existing businesses, adding more jobs to the area and acted as a liaison to help existing businesses serve the local community in new ways. Bailey was also instrumental in the creation of the Champaign County Manufacturers Council and the addition of a CEP Business Liaison that connects local students to the businesses through career exploration, internships and paid employment. She hopes that the person who is hired to replace her will bring his/ her own ideas about how to help Champaign County grow and their enthusiasm and knowledge for existing projects like the redevelopment of Urbana University’s campus. Overall, Bailey leaves behind a legacy of hope, perseverance and the belief that neighbors should look out for one another and help each other to grow. “I’m so appreciative that I’ve been given the opportunity to put this all together and be the first director of this agency,” she said. “I’ve had so many opportunities to meet so many people, sit down with them and learn about their businesses in Champaign County, their products, their international commerce and the skills needed by their workforce. “I’m also extremely grateful to the CEP Board members and the investors for their continued support of me and the agency, I will miss everyone immensely,” Bailey said. Bailey’s colleagues on the CEP board know that her shoes will be tough to fill. “Marcia has done an immense amount of work. She’s worked tirelessly to get this thing up and running,” said CEP Board President Kyle Hall. “We’re really going to miss having her here. She’s done a great job.” He doesn’t believe anyone can truly replace Bailey, but he hopes that the next Director of the CEP will continue to respond to the business community’s needs and that he/ she will work to find solutions for the area’s need for housing. CEP board member Dave Snyder said that Marcia has been instrumental in bringing together public and private entities. “She’s done a good job of bringing entities together like counties, townships, villages and the private sector with new and existing businesses,” Snyder said. He expects that finding the right person to take over as director of the CEP will be a difficult task. “It’s going to be hard to find somebody with her skill set and her personality,” he said. “We’re not going to try to recreate her, but we’re going to try to find someone with those skills.” If you are interested in applying for this position, please reach out to CEP directly by emailing info@cepohio.com or call the office at (937)653-7200.
This grant provides emergency assistance for eligible venues affected by COVID-19. From US Small Business Administration The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act. The program includes over $16 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance. Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees. Supplemental documents for applicants
Frequently Asked Questions: The list of FAQs answers common questions about the SVOG program, defines terms, and provides additional guidance. Please refer to and carefully review the FAQs for guidance as you complete the SVOG application. Application Checklist: The Application Checklist is provided to assist you with gathering and preparing the necessary materials (documentation, information, and technology) needed for the SVOG application. Some of these items will be required, and some are examples of items that can be submitted as supporting evidence. The Application Checklist lists materials needed by all applicants as well as applicant-specific information. The application will direct you as you go through the application portal for your specific applicant type. Applicant User Guide: The Applicant User Guide is a tool for technical assistance to guide applicants through the SVOG application portal with step-by-step instructions. Screenshots in the User Guide are for illustration purposes only. Content in the application portal will appear differently for different applicants.
SVOG-specific information about the IRS form 4506-T
Who can apply Eligible entities include:
Other requirements of note:
Grant amount Grant amounts will reflect either of the following instances:
How to apply Those who have suffered the greatest economic loss will be the first applications processed under the following schedule: Note: On January 20, 2021, SBA updated the proposed plan for issuing grants during the first and second priority periods. To clarify, priority awardees will not need to satisfy the small employer set-aside. During the first 59 days of opening SVOG, SBA will reserve no less than $2 billion of program funding for grants to entities that have no more than 50 employees. First priority First 14 days of grant awards Entities that suffered a 90% or greater gross revenue loss between April 2020 through December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Second priority Next 14 days of grant awards Entities that suffered a 70% or greater gross revenue loss between April 2020 through December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Third priority Beginning 28 days after first and second priority awards are made Entities that suffered a 25% or greater earned revenue loss between one quarter of 2019 and the corresponding quarter of 2020. Supplemental funding Available after all Priority Periods have passed Recipients of first, second, and third priority round awards who suffered a 70% or greater revenue loss for the most recent calendar quarter (as of April 1, 2021, or later). Allowable use of funds Funds may be used for specific expenses, which include:
Grantees may not use award funds to:
Grantee recordkeeping Grantees will be required to maintain documentation demonstrating their compliance with the eligibility and other requirements of the SVOG program. They must retain employment records for four years following their receipt of a grant and retain all other records for three years. Video tutorials Get technical support with the SVOG portal For Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal technical assistance such as a password reset, browser suggestions, or how to use the multi-factor authentication with an app and the QR code, applicants can call 1-800-659-2955 or, for the deaf and hard-of-hearing 1-800-877-8339 and follow the prompts to SVOG assistance. The call center is open from 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. ET, 7 days a week. What to expect after you have applied: -Post-application frequently asked questions -SVOG eligibility matrix, including:
How to clear a "Do Not Pay" hold on your application Visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Do Not Pay - Privacy Program, scroll down to “Data Correction Process,” find the row for the match source, and use the Contact Information on the corresponding row to clear any misinformation. The applicant will have 30 days to provide SBA with information that their name has been cleared from the match source. For more detail, see the Post-application FAQs. Information for awardees Program reports and data Those who are selling or renting to beginning farmers would be eligible for tax credits.
Senate, it passed with broad support, a 96-1 vote, in the House. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Susan Manchester, R-84, and Rep. Mary Lightbody, D-19.
HB 95, the Family Farm ReGeneration Act, will authorize tax credits for those who sell or rent farmland, livestock, buildings, or equipment to beginning farmers. It also provides a credit for beginning farmers who attend a financial management program. During her floor speech, Manchester noted that the average age of the U.S. farmer is 58. “By decreasing their tax burden, House Bill 95 incentivizes retiring farmers to recruit beginning farmers to take over their operations,” Manchester said. “This program also sets beginning farmers up for success by giving them an opportunity to learn more about the financial management of a farm operation.” Under the bill, the credit is limited to five years and allows up to $10 million for the total amount of tax credits awarded over those five years. A similar program was implemented in Minnesota in 2018, which has already enabled 162 established farmers to sell or rent land to beginning farmers and allocated $1.4 million in tax credits. During testimony, Bennett and Liza Musselman, part-owners and operators of Musselman Farms in Pickaway County, said, “Farm Service Agency provides opportunities for young and beginning farmers, but the time that it takes from application to loan closing is significantly longer than a traditional loan. “Young farmers have an added obstacle of finding a seller that is willing to wait additional days for a sale to be completed. The passage of HB 95 will give a financial incentive for sellers to work with a young beginning farmer, and thus help level the playing field.” To qualify To qualify, a beginning farmer would have to intend to farm in Ohio, or have been farming in Ohio for less than 10 years, have a household net worth of less than $800,000, provide the majority of the day-to-day labor for and management of the farm, have adequate farming experience or demonstrate adequate knowledge about farming, and participate in a financial management program approved by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. In a statement following the bill’s passage, Amalie Lipstreu, Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association policy director, said, “Young farmers in Ohio are taking on the risks inherent in farming and working hard to build successful farm businesses. They are also facing significant obstacles that require creative policy solutions. “Access to — and securing tenure on — affordable, high-quality farmland is the No. 1 challenge young farmers are facing. At the same time, millions of acres of farmland are changing hands as older farmers consider retirement and sale of their land. House Bill 95 provides an important bridge between landowners and those seeking land.” The bill has support of the Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association, Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association, and Ohio Soybean Association. Lipstreu added, “The past year illustrated, in stark terms, the vulnerability of our food system. We must take the steps necessary to ensure that those interested in providing what is a paramount service to society — contributing to our food supply — are successful. We call upon the Senate to act by introducing and passing a companion bill in the coming weeks so that this bill is ready for the governor’s signature before the summer recess.” *Survey is now closed*
The Champaign County Commissioners are exploring grant opportunities to improve internet/broadband service. The first step is to collect data to determine the need for improved internet service, and this will be done through a survey. We need your opinion! Please take a moment to complete the survey (at your home), it can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LUCInternet. Please share this information with others in Champaign County. Thank you! Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted last week announced the launch of four grant programs to help small and medium-sized businesses recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. "These four new grant programs will help industries that experienced losses over the last year because of the pandemic,” said Governor DeWine. “Ohio’s economy is moving forward, and with new grant programs like the ones we are announcing today, we are optimistic that our economy will only continue to grow stronger from here." The programs will provide $155 million in grant funding to businesses that opened in 2020, food and beverage establishments, entertainment venues, and lodging venues. The funds were made available by the Ohio General Assembly as part of Senate Bill 108 and Senate Bill 109, both of which Governor DeWine signed into law in May. All four programs will be administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency (Development). Program guidelines, terms and conditions, and required documentation for all four programs are available now at BusinessHelp.Ohio.Gov. The applications will open tomorrow, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. “The focus of this funding is primarily on Ohio-owned, small businesses that are important contributors to their local economy and the quality of life for the people who live there,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “The grants will help these businesses buy equipment, hire more employees and make needed updates to their facilities, so they, and the communities they serve, can recover faster.” Ohio Small Business Development Centers and Ohio Minority Business Assistance Centers are staffed with advisors who can help businesses with the application process. “The investments we make through these programs will ensure the survival and stability of our small businesses,” said Director of Development Lydia Mihalik. “Our small business owners and entrepreneurs are the heart of our economy, and we’re optimistic about the future.” The Food and Beverage Establishment Grant will provide grants of $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000 to restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and other food and drink businesses. The amount of individual grants to eligible businesses will be determined by the business’s loss of revenue in 2020. The total funding available for this program is $100 million. To ensure the grants are spread throughout the state, $500,000 will be set aside for businesses in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. As businesses in each county are approved for funding, the grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. When a county’s allocation is depleted, businesses in that county will be eligible to receive grants from the remaining funds in the overall grant program. If businesses in a county don’t deplete the county’s allocation by July 31, the remaining funds will become available to businesses statewide. The Entertainment Venue Grant will provide grants of $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000 theaters, music venues, spectator sports venues, museums, and other entertainment venues. The amount of individual grants to eligible businesses will be determined by the business’s loss of revenue in 2020. The total funding available for this program is $20 million. To ensure the grants are spread throughout the state, $150,000 will be set aside for businesses in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. As businesses in each county are approved for funding, the grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. When a county’s allocation is depleted, businesses in that county will be eligible to receive grants from the remaining funds in the overall grant program. If businesses in a county don’t deplete the county’s allocation by July 31, the remaining funds will become available to businesses statewide. The Lodging Grant will provide grants of $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000 to hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast operations. The amount of individual grants to eligible businesses will be determined by the business’s decline in occupancy rate in 2020. The total funding available for this program is $25 million. To ensure the grants are spread throughout the state, $100,000 will be set aside for businesses in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. As businesses in each county are approved for funding, the grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. When a county’s allocation is depleted, businesses in that county will be eligible to receive grants from the remaining funds in the overall grant program. If businesses in a county don’t deplete the county’s allocation by July 31, the remaining funds will become available to businesses statewide. The New Small Business Grant will provide grants of $10,000 to small businesses that were established between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020. The total funding available is $10 million.
To ensure the grants are spread throughout the state, $100,000 will be set aside for businesses in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. As businesses in each county are approved for funding, the $10,000 grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. When a county’s allocation is depleted, businesses in that county will be eligible to receive grants from the remaining funds in the overall grant program. If businesses in a county don’t deplete the county’s allocation by July 31, the remaining funds will become available to businesses statewide. From Urbana Daily Citizen
Clearview Solar, a Champaign County-based subsidiary of Open Road Renewables, is currently working with landowners using lease agreements to utilize acreage for a photovoltaic (“PV”) electric generation facility to be located north of Rosewood in Adams Township. Clearview Solar’s plan allows for a maximum generation capacity of 144 megawatts of electricity. According to the company’s website, the approximated fenced area is 1,061 acres. The foundation is to be made from driven pilings, making a concrete foundation unnecessary. Thousands of interconnected solar modules are to be mounted on racking attached to the steel pilings. The proposed site has a maximum height of 15 feet and an estimated ground coverage ratio of 31%. Like any other major utility facility in Ohio, Clearview Solar is required to obtain a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need from the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) before construction can begin. A typical OPSB certification process can take anywhere from 9 to 12 months. After several months of going through the standard application process through OPSB, the solar project is in the final stages of approval. After meeting with the Champaign County Commissioners at the beginning of June, Vice President of Development at Open Road Renewables Doug Herling agreed to be available for a public meeting after the commissioners expressed concern about lack of community awareness. However, according to Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jane Napier, the solar project is too far into the process for community members to be successful in any oppositions that may arise. The commissioners requested that a public meeting would be scheduled in order to spread word of the project. The public meeting will be Tuesday, June 22 at 9 a.m. in the auditorium of the Champaign County Community Center. Herling will be there in person to give a presentation. There will be a question-and-answer session where the public will have the opportunity to ask questions concerning the proposed solar project.
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