PROJECTS
Project 1. Data Processing Center After forming its organization in May, 2000 and moving into its offices in North Valley Bank in Corning, SPICE was successful in attracting and recruiting DEPS, a Data Entry Processing Service from Worthington, Ohio, to southern Perry County. Elaine Higgins, Kellogg team member and SPICE board member, was instrumental in bringing John Hurd, CEO and Vice President of DEPS to SPICE offices for an interview with board members and an inspection of the facilities. DEPS was impressed with the site and the community’s possibilities. They leased one large office room from SPICE and equipped it with sixteen computer terminals on October 2, 2000. SPICE recruited and tested local southern Perry County women. Sixteen full time data entry processors were at work within one week. DEPS quickly outgrew the SPICE facility and moved to the Altier Restaurant building in Corning in January, 2001. With the loss of a Department of Human Resources contract, DEPS closed the Corning operation and combined it with its other facility in The Plains in July 2001. Although DEPS was in Corning for only nine months, it brought SPICE regional and state attention and opened up a broad field of resources. The area had not seen a new business of this size for more years than most citizens could remember. It was Disappointing to see it close but the experience prepared SPICE to be more knowledgeable about recruiting new businesses.
Project 2. Community Assessment Survey In 2001, SPICE received a State Planning Grant from the Governor's Office of Appalachia to conduct a survey of the assets of the southern Perry County community. This project was completed in 2002. The end product of this assessment was a guide to the community's demographics, village governments, organizations, businesses, utilities, infrastructure, historic sites, special events, schools, churches, fire and medical services and media services and a survey of the community s skilled and gifted members. SPICE received an additional discretionary grant to cover the cost of printing the guide. Survey results have been used, and will be used, to determine the types of businesses that can be recruited and/or started to fill the needs of residents and use the skilled and talented citizens in the community; determine training and workforce development initiatives; and, help potential businesses determine the community's market, workforce and support system capacities. SPICE views this community mapping as a vital step toward the economic development of southern Perry County. Eight hundred and three surveys were completed and returned. Below is a sample of the information collected from the survey. An 2004 updated edition of the Community Assessment Guide is available at the SPICE office in Corning.
The Number 1 on the survey read “Please indicate your strengths below. We provided examples but we want to know YOUR skills and talents. Fill in, add others and check as many as you wish.” The top "Strengths and Skills" recorded in the survey were as follows: Fishing, 35.2%; Cooking, 33.1%; Reading, 31.1%; Gardening, 29.9%; Computers, 27.0%; Child Care, 24.4%; Athletic, 22.7%; Music, 20.9%; Hiking, 20.0%; Volunteering, 19.7%; Office Skills 17.2%; Car Repair 16.2%; Woodworking 15.9%; Organizing 15.3%. 66% of 803 respondents indicated they had a home computer: 62.1% use it to play games; 71.6% use it for e-mail; 79.4% use it for the internet; 27% to shop; 33.15% use it at work; 43.9% for school work; 22.9% for home office; and 48.5% for research. 58% of all respondents (803) want more computer training 22% of the 803 respondents indicated they were interested in starting a small business.
Project 3. The Holland Center In September, 2001, SPICE formed a partnership with Sunday Creek Associates, the parent community development organization for the area, Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council, an organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of the coal fields of the region, Spicyam, an OCCN and Ohio Arts Council funded youth arts and media center in Shawnee, and the Southern Local Schools computer technology department to develop the Southern Perry Collaborative. This collaborative received a grant from the Ohio Computer Centers Network (OCCN) to develop a community center for public access to computers and for technology, arts and business training. Bob Holland, Corning resident, local historian and former businessman, gave the collaborative $25,000 to use for matching grant funds. The Holland Center had its Grand Opening June 13, 2002. This Center has been a major accomplishment for the collaborative and the community. The Center houses an open„access computer hub, an arts and media hub, a business hub and a cybercafe with a visitor's center. The Center has open-access hours five days a week and a full schedule of classes weekly. This computer center enables SPICE to identify skilled computer and arts and media center participants and assist those who have the interest to develop marketable products and start businesses. Response to the Center has been positive. Young people and adults frequent the Center, art classes are held weekly, several local groups use the Center for meetings and the training hub has two or more class sessions each week.
Project
4. Internet Service Through the efforts of the Perry County
Library and the Computer Network Services of Ohio University, the SPICE
offices and the Holland Center have a T1 line in their facilities. This
has been a major factor in the success of these centers. The Community
Technology Access Study, (conducted by Sunday Creek Associates, has been
completed and the report published. Members of the collaborative (SPICE,
SPICYAM, Little Cities of Black Diamonds, and Sunday Creek Associates)
as well as many regional organizations and stakeholders were involved
in producing data for the study. The report has been helpful in seeking
funding and learning methods to bring fast internet and cell services
to the area. Oarnet (Ohio’s Academic Network Provider), Ohio University
Communications Network Services, Ohio University Voinivich Center and
Ohio State University have collaborated to finance and install Broadband
Satellite Service to the new Medical Record Services incubator building
in New Straitsville. An associated experiment to set up a wireless network
to serve the businesses and households within line-of-sight of the Medical
Records Service is being planned.
Project 5. Community Asset Building Initiative
(CABI). In January, 2002, SPICE received a grant from
the Foundation of Appalachian Ohio to identify potential young and adult
entrepreneurs and assist them in business development activities. Youth
and adults were identified from the community assessment survey, entrepreneurship
classes, Holland Center classes and SBDC workshops and seminars. Three
entrepreneurship workshops were presented to Miller Middle School students
in May and June and eight weeks of business-related classes were held
at the Holland Center during the summer months for grade school and middle
school students. Midge Palmer, SPICE director, and Mike Masso, CABI product
development director, administered these classes. SPICE has offered an
entrepreneurship class for adults; eight "Starting Your Own Business"
B.O.S.S. workshops; a Financial Papers and Your Business seminar and a
Business by the Numbers workshop. As a result of these activities, SPICE
is assisting several start„up businesses in southern Perry County.
One CABI participant has started a photography business out of her home;
one is seeking a patent for a healthcare device she has invented and is
producing and marketing; one has opened a used book store, “Once
Written, Twice Read”, in the new SPICE retail incubator in the former
Corning Library (former Sister of Charity Convent) Eleven identified artisans
are using the retail incubator to sell their art products. (Adams Street
Artisans) Nine CABI participants who were identified through CABI business
workshops, the assessment survey, promotional materials and/or Holland
Center activities have completed a Medical Records program at Hocking
College through a SPICE contract with Perry County Job and Family Services.
These students participate in the SPICE business incubator New Straitsville.
(Project 6). Mike Masso, who served as product director for the CABI summer
youth program has started a home-based computer technology consulting
business.
Project 6. Southern Perry Business Center/spMRS Online Medical Coding Training/Medical Records Service. In July, 2002, SPICE received a contract from Job and Family Services to administer a Hocking College On-line Medical Coding training program for eligible Perry County residents. SPICE recruited participants from the CABI program, promotional activities, Holland Center classes, Jobs and Family Services and by word-of-mouth. The marketing promo "These Little Coders Went All the Way Home," worked very well. The Hocking College program began Fall Quarter, 2002. As many as eighteen participants enrolled in the program. SPICE has facilitated Hocking College registrations and fee payments and provided guidance and mentoring to these students. Nine participants completed this one-year program, September 12, 2003 In January, 2003, Jobs and Family Services extended the SPICE contract to include developing a Medical Records business site. This extended contract ended at the same time as the original contract, June 30, 2003. To develop this business, SPICE leased a 24X50 area of the first floor of the Masonic Lodge in New Straitsville. The Masonic Lodge members re-wired the first floor; built a new rest room; installed a new heating system and air conditioning; new light fixtures were put up; new partial walls installed; painting completed; and new carpeting laid.
Millbrook billing software has been purchased; computers and computer desks have been purchased and installed. A broadband satellite internet service was installed through a partnership with Ohio University and Ohio State University. Sunday Creek Associates helped SPICE facilitate this extended Jobs and Family Services contract. Recommendations from consultants in the field encouraged SPICE to start the business as a physician and/or outpatient facility billing service. It is believed this type of service is more acceptable to the physician than is medical coding, is a way to build confidence with the medical profession, is a less difficult program to set up and is more amenable to the new HIPAA compliance rules. Hocking College students are trained in medical reimbursement, as well as, medical coding. Borchers and Associates helped SPICE in the development of a business plan for the service. A survey of 250 area physicians was conducted; a part time marketing person was hired; and, several marketing materials developed. The business has been named Southern Perry Medical Records Service, spMRS. SPICE contracted a consultant to develop a policies and procedures document for the business and conduct HIPAA training for the Hocking College students. An experienced Medical Billing Specialist who will work on a part time basis was contracted and will be available when physician clients are obtained. The marketing team made initial phone and mail contacts with physicians but no physician clients were made.
September, 2003, ITAAO obtained three AREI employees (OU Graduate students working on their MBA degrees) to assist the SPICE staff with marketing strategies and to provide research information on Medical Billing opportunities and other technology related businesses that could be brought to the New Straitsville facility. The students provided consultation services to SPICE during Fall Quarter, 2003. In January, 2004, SPICE sponsored a Roundtable Conference of SPICE partners, collaborators and funders to brainstorm ideas for the continuation or abandonment of the Medical Records Service project. This produced several possible solutions for the New Straitsville site. The most immediate and promising solution came from Perry County Job and Family Services. They gave SPICE a short term contract to implement a focused promotional program of direct contacts with office managers and physicians, incentives, luncheons and follow„up calls to improve our success rate in obtaining physician billing contracts. Borchers & Associates was hired to lead the marketing and sales program. A VISTA volunteer was obtained to be at the SPICE site full time. A part time office assistant was hired to make physician calls and assist Borchers with follow-up marketing calls, mailings and trade shows. SPICE and the marketing team hosted a billing and financial management symposium for physicians and medical practice office managers May 15th at Cherry Blossom Lodge in Newark, Ohio.
In the interim, SPICE has been considering alternative business options
for the New Straitsville site. HealthCare Unlimited of Lancaster has given
short-term training in insurance collections to selected Hocking College
program participants. No jobs or services have resulted from this project
as of yet. A transcription business (not medical) in Logan has indicated
they would train our students in transcription and then hire them on a
contract basis. SPICE purchased foot pedals for this training but no further
progress has been made to date. Bill Sams and Gary Little of ITAAO facilitated
contacts with the Lancaster and Logan projects.
Another solution that was proposed at the Roundtable in January was to
rent out the office space and equipment for small businesses or rent Telework
space for individuals; use as a technology training center or site for
college classes; develop a Kinko-type service center; provide a catalog
or reservations call service. At this time, the VISTA volunteer has helped
SPICE develop services for bulk mailing, copying, brochure and poster
production and UPS mailing. The New Straitsville facility has been renamed
Southern Perry Business Center (SPBC). Portable walls have been purchased
to divide the area into work stations or business pods This will accommodate
spMRS and any other businesses that may develop in the incubator. An extension
on the Perry County Job and Family Services contract has enabled SPICE
to hire two TANF eligible employees, one full time and one part time.
The goal of the bulk mailing and copying service is to have the business
self-sustaining by June 30, 2005 when the Job & Family Services contract
ends. This business has been gradually increasing its production and the
outlook is favorable. The new spMRS promotional activities have produced
interest and show promise but no physician contracts have been signed
at this time. An orthopedic supplier in Zanesville has signed on as a
billing client. spMRS has entered his client information into software
files and is preparing for its first billings. It is anticipated these
billings will help spMRS gain experience and improve its marketing image.
Project
7. Corning Retail Incubator
The Old Convent, Adams Street Artisans, Once Written, Twice Read Book
Store. In July, 2003, SPICE rented the former Sisters of Charity Convent
in Corning as a business incubator site to house the potential Once Written,
Twice Read Used Bookstore and provide a retail site for interested arts
and crafts persons. The unique hand„crafted products of the artisans
included bowls and wooden pieces carved from local forest material; woven
baskets; antique jewelry; individualized porcelain dolls; small decorative
Early American wooden articles and gifts; quilted and hand sewn articles;
stained glass primitive stars; ceramic bowls; artwork on tile and stoneware;
delicate woodcrafted insects; water color paintings and, stone art objects.
SPICE facilitated the organization of the artists and artisans, and the Once Written, Twice Read bookstore owner, into a managerial council to direct the operation of the business incubator. All businesses in the retail incubator were to have a written business plan and comply with the standards set by the managerial council. SPICE would provide financial assistance until December 31, 2003. SPICE coordinated and provided for the cleaning and painting of the downstairs rooms of the convent. St. Bernard’s provided new carpeting for the downstairs. As additional artisans joined the groups, the upstairs was cleaned and decorated. Artisans brought it shelves and display materials, made curtains, set up their displays, developed a brochure and opened the incubator as the Adams Street Artisans on September 5, 2003. The incubator set its hours for Fridays and Saturdays, 10:00AM to 4:00PM and Sundays 12:00-4:00 PM. Council members serve as the shopkeepers on scheduled days. Artisans who wish to place merchandise in the incubator but not participate as a shopkeeper may do so with a consignment fee. The group had a very successful 2003 Christmas sales season. The slow winter sales season was used to plan promotional activities and set up art classes. Ads were placed in tourism magazines; brochures were made; advertising place mats were produced and distributed; the name was changed to include The Old Convent; and, it was designated a Little Cities artisan site. A well-publicized and well-attended regional Tea Party was held on the convent grounds May 15, 2004. SPICE’s financial assistance to the Adams Street Artisans came, in part, from the Community Asset Building Initiative grant from the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. The Artisans Governing Board received a grant from the Ohio Arts Council in 2004 to develop promotional materials and activities. SPICE continues to provide counseling and guidance to the Artisans but does not provide financial assistance.
Three of the Adams Street Artisans original group have formed a partnership and continue to manage the business as a consignment shop. Fifteen artisans used the business for successful retail sales over the holiday months. The partnership is offering arts and crafts classes for the winter months. Two artisans have applied for Trickle-Up funds to expand their businesses.
Project
8. Little Cities of Black Diamonds Guided Tours
The SPICE staff collaborated with the Little Cities of Black Diamonds
Council and Sunday Creek Associates to obtain a grant from the Foundation
for Appalachian Ohio to develop and test a guided tour of selected sites
in the Little Cities region. The tour was designed to demonstrate how
our communities could share their histories, promote tourism and improve
the economy. The FAO grant was awarded for the January 1, 2003- December
31, 2003 funding period. Cheryl Blosser of the Little Cities Council served
as administrator for the project. She has taken the BEST class in the
Close to Home program and has written a potential business plan for the
tour business.
The collaborative team identified heritage tour sites in Athens, Hocking and Perry Counties and developed a two day tour itinerary. Over-night lodging facilities and tour food hosts were identified and contracted; transportation was arranged; tour guide scripts were developed; entertainment was arranged. SPICE assisted tour site hosts and food and lodging hosts in identifying their needs related to physical improvements of their site, historic presentations and business development assistance. The grant provided funds to assist the host sites with improvements. Each historic site was given a stipend for participating in the tour.
The tour marketing team produced and distributed promotional materials;
tour program booklets were developed and reproduced; T-shirts were purchased
for guides and drivers; a new removable sign was purchased for the van;
and, the tour proceeded on a bright and sunny weekend in September, 2003.
Although the tour was planned as a two day, overnight with a B&B stay,
plans were changed to day tours when registrations were slow. Each day
tour had twelve tourists on the van with additional friends and family
guests joining the tourists at the evening functions including a gourmet
dinner on Saturday evening and a Gillian Welch concert on Sunday evening.
Fifteen historic sites were visited during the two-day tour, three local
celebrations were visited: Glouster Chile Pepper Festival, Rendville Emancipation
Day, and New Straitsville Celtic Day. The Rendville Artworks, Adams Street
Artisans and the galleries on Nelsonville Public Square were open to tour
visitors. In addition to the gourmet dinner at Angels Crossing, tour participants
enjoyed lunches by the Tecumseh Theater Group at the Corning Monroe Civic
Center on Saturday and Karen’s Kitchen in New Straitsville on Sunday.
Kathy Devecka portrayed Bertha Levion, a living history character, during
lunch in Corning, and Scott Brady entertained guests at Angels Crossing
with soft guitar music. Guest were offered a guided tour of the Angels
Crossing Herb Sanctuary.
The tour team reviewed and evaluated all aspects of the test tour, made adjustments and prepared for the 2004 tour season. Fifteen tours were planned for the 2004 season. These included day and weekend heritage, environmental and artisans tours. Little Cities Tours office staff completed mail outs and processed reservations and inquiries; a promotional team developed and distributed advertising materials; tour coordinators handled site arrangements, schedules, food and entertainment vendors; and a tour director managed all procedures. Nine successful tours were completed. SPICE was not an active partner in the tours this year but provided support as needed.
