Series exploring Appalachian Ohio鈥檚 economic future shines a spotlight on OHIO
A series of articles written by a Yale University publication explores the economic future of Appalachian Ohio and highlights a number of Ohio University people, programs and University-community partnerships that are elevating the region.
In a series titled, Yale Insights, produced by the Yale School of Management, examines ongoing efforts in southeastern Ohio to overcome the region鈥檚 history of poverty and underinvestment. Five of the six articles included in the series prominently feature Ohio University, with the main article, 鈥淐an Appalachian Ohio Build a New Economy?,鈥 stating: 鈥淭oday, the entrepreneurial ecosystem around Ohio University is one of the most robust in rural America.鈥
鈥淭hese articles illustrate the profound impact of the work we do on all of Ohio University鈥檚 campuses every day,鈥 said President M. Duane Nellis. 鈥淣ot only do we make a difference in the lives of the students that we serve, but our work has a deep impact on the communities and the region that we call home. A recent economic impact study measured Ohio University鈥檚 value, both to its students and to the state, and this reporting by Yale Insights clearly supports one of my strategic pathways 鈥 the building of a University engagement ecosystem. For the past 214 years Ohio University has sought to elevate the economy and the quality of life in Appalachia, and our commitment to this region remains as strong as ever.鈥
A section of the series鈥 main article explores entrepreneurship in southeastern Ohio and focuses squarely on the initiatives and impacts of some of the entrepreneurs and companies supported by TechGROWTH Ohio. Part of Ohio University鈥檚 Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs and one of Ohio Third Frontier鈥檚 entrepreneurial service provider programs, TechGROWTH Ohio provides technology start-up companies in the region with access to business assistance and sources of capital.
鈥淭echGROWTH and the other University-affiliated operational-assistance programs have worked with more than 2,000 entrepreneurs since 2007,鈥 the article states. 鈥淚n that period, client companies have created 661 jobs with an average salary of $55,567 while generating $450 million in economic activity.鈥
The article highlights two of TechGROWTH Ohio鈥檚 many success stories, Stirling Ultracold and Ecolibrium, and quotes Jennifer Simon, OHIO鈥檚 executive director of regional innovation, and John Glazer, the director of TechGROWTH Ohio.
The series鈥 main article also features:
- Bill Dingus, dean emeritus of Ohio University Southern who now serves as executive director of the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) and the Greater Lawrence County Area Chamber of Commerce.
- The Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs鈥 Social Enterprise Ecosystem (SEE) project, which seeks to make positive changes to health and wellness, education and the environment.
- David Wilhelm, a notable 天美传媒alumnus, the son of longtime Ohio University Professor Emeritus of Geography Hubert G. H. Wilhelm, a former chair of the Ohio University National Alumni Board, and a current Voinovich School Fellow. Wilhelm鈥檚 career spans the worlds of energy, finance, academia, public policy and politics, having served as the youngest-ever chair of the Democratic National Committee. Born and raised in Athens, his contributions to Appalachia are many, including, as the article notes, leading the creation of Adena Ventures, a $25 million Appalachian-focused venture fund, and helping to build support for Ohio Third Frontier, the state鈥檚 entrepreneurship-focused economic development program.
- A project underway in the Wayne National Forest, with the assistance of members of the local and Ohio University communities, to develop the Baileys Mountain Bike Trail System and to establish southeastern Ohio as a mountain biking destination.
Three of the series鈥 five companion articles are question-and-answer pieces that highlight Ohio University and/or individuals affiliated with the University.
鈥淧erspective on Appalachian Ohio: The Federal Agency鈥 features a Q&A with Ray Daffner, the entrepreneurial development manager for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). In the interview, Daffner calls Ohio University 鈥渁 critical institution in leading development efforts and providing vision.鈥
鈥淥hio University has become a hub by investing in programs and partnering extensively with nonprofit organizations, local government, regional organizations and the philanthropic sector,鈥 Daffner says. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e fostering the region鈥檚 economic transition with support for entrepreneurial activities, downtown development programs and healthcare initiatives.鈥
鈥淧erspective on Appalachian Ohio: The Philanthropist鈥 shines a spotlight on Ohio University alumna Cara Dingus Brook. Holding a master鈥檚 degree in public administration and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in English from Ohio University, Dingus Brook has served as the president and CEO of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio since 2007.
鈥淧erspective on Appalachian Ohio: The Small-Town Mayor鈥 features Tom Johnson, a former investment banker, current mayor of Somerset, Ohio, in nearby Perry County, and an executive in residence who works on regional issues as part of Ohio University鈥檚 Rural Revitalization Partnership Initiative. Part of the College of Health Sciences and Professions, the initiative seeks to support regional collaborations to improve the quality of life in Appalachian Ohio.
In the article, Johnson notes a few of the ways Ohio University is working to improve the quality of life in the region. Specifically, he mentions the $2 million in funding that OHIO鈥檚 Jennifer Simon secured from the ARC for a network of innovation centers in Appalachian Ohio and the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine鈥檚 commitment to educating doctors that practice in rural communities.
Another of the series鈥 companion pieces is a photo gallery featuring the talents of Ohio University alumna Erin Clark, who graduated in May with a master鈥檚 degree in photojournalism. Yale Insights commissioned Clark, a 2016-2018 , to document the individuals working to transform Southeast Ohio.