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Opportunity for growth

Communities across Ohio have heard from economic development professionals that employers are looking for certain things when choosing a new location. Near the top of the list is adequate affordable housing for the workforce. But here there is already a shortage of affordable housing, even as we await the influx of those who will accompany the large employers we know are on the way. Welcome Home Ohio is hoping to change that, as officials released program guidelines for the $150 million in grants and tax credits to be handed out over a two-year period. “Housing needs are present ...

Choosing the right focus

At the start of the Ohio 2024 Legislative Session, lawmakers would do well to heed Gov. Mike DeWine’s thoughts on what should be prioritized and accomplished. Speaking with WCPO, DeWine appeared to hope lawmakers would move away from distracting nonsense and instead focus on doing real good for Ohioans — particularly when it comes to education, mental health and addiction. “Focus more and more on mental health this coming year ... kind of go back to John Kennedy 60 years ago,” DeWine said. “When he signed The Community Mental Health Act, the promise was that no matter where ...

Cheers & Jeers

CHEERS to word that the village of Belmont has funds available to take initial steps toward demolition of its former school building. The landmark is loved by many, but it is beyond repair. JEERS to news that hospitals across the nation need to require masks because of the prevalence of respiratory infections such as COVID, RSV and the flu. CHEERS to Belmont County sheriff’s detectives for uncovering about $500,000 in antique coins that had been stolen from a central Ohio collection as a result of a recent traffic stop. JEERS to the fact that more and more addiction treatment ...

Guard against the flu

Tragedy has struck again in Ohio, as the Ohio Department of Health announced Friday the first pediatric death of the 2023-24 flu season — a 9-year-old girl from Clermont County. It is a sad reminder that age is not the only determining factor for when these viruses become deadly. In fact, the Buckeye State generally reports one to six influenza-associated pediatric deaths per year, according to the ODH. “If you haven’t gotten a flu vaccine, now is a good time,” said ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff, M.D., MBA. “We are in the heart of flu season, and a vaccine may help prevent ...

Rail expansion a plus

Few people in the local area recall the days when trains carried passengers from Bellaire to Barnesville, but many will recall freight trains rolling through the region. Though passenger railroads once criss crossed our region, Ohio has become flyover country for many in the U.S. But expansion projects announced last month by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, may change that. U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration officials have selected four routes in Ohio as priorities for Amtrak expansion: Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati; ...

Resolving to be better in 2024

And here we are, at the dawn of a new year, a time to put 2023 behind while we look forward to the joys and challenges of the coming 366 days (remember, this is a leap year). There is excitement in the air as we wonder what will come after the symbolic reset we experience each time we start the new year. 2023 was a challenging year for many — inflation, wars, uncertainty in a changing environment that saw the true emergence of artificial intelligence in our lives. Others experienced a year of plenty for themselves and their families. All of us are hoping for that happy and ...