[Ohio-talk] Fw: Nearly $2 Million Invested in Creating Small Business and Self-Employment Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

Thu Oct 7 21:44:24 UTC 2010

fyi

jw

Dr. J. Webster Smith
President National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
P.O.BOX 458 Athens, Ohio, 45701-0458
Phone Number - 740-592-6326 
"Changing What it Means to be Blind"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Dr. Smith 
To: jwsmithnfb at frontier.com 
Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2010 4:36 PM
Subject: FW: Nearly $2 Million Invested in Creating Small Business and Self-Employment Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities


From: Eileen Corson [mailto:eileen at rsc-ohio.ccsend.com] On Behalf Of Eileen Corson
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 4:32 PM
To: smithj at ohio.edu
Subject: Nearly $2 Million Invested in Creating Small Business and Self-Employment Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

 
                  News Release

                  For Immediate Release

                  October 6, 2010

                  Contacts:

                  Eileen Corson, RSC - 614. 438. 1476 eileen.corson at rsc.state.oh.us 614. 395. 7512

                  Jeff Botti, ODOD - 614. 728. 6674 jeffrey.botti at development.ohio.gov
                 
           
                  Nearly $2 Million Invested in Creating Small Business and

                  Self-Employment Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

                   
                  New program to prepare neighbors to create jobs, build wealth announced today during Ohio's disability employment awareness celebration

                   
                  A new state initiative Ohio Abilities: Neighbors creating jobs and building wealth coordinated by the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission (RSC) and the Ohio Department of Development (DOD) Division of Entrepreneurship and Small Business will support small business owners and entrepreneurs with disabilities as they start, sustain and grow businesses. The pilot project is funded with nearly $2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Stimulus dollars and federal vocational rehabilitation dollars targeted for employment of Ohioans with disabilities.


                  The pilot program rolled out today in the Akron, Columbus, Marietta, Toledo and Youngstown areas in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

                   
                  Ohio Abilities will provide enhanced opportunities for Ohioans with most significant disabilities to explore self-employment and microenterprise opportunities. Through the agreement, the DOD Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) will provide self-employment and business counseling, marketing training and technical assistance to Ohioans who receive services through RSC. Funding grants will be available through RSC. The program has the promise of at least 40 start-up businesses in Ohio.

                   
                  "Ohioans with disabilities have amazing gifts and talents to share," said Michael Rench, RSC Administrator. "We have a firm commitment to ensuring future business owners with disabilities have the best resources to build their businesses and strengthen their communities. We look forward to seeing these businesses grow and create jobs for their neighbors."

                   
                  "Small businesses are the backbone of Ohio's economy and provide tremendous economic development," said Lisa Patt-McDaniel, director of the Ohio Department of Development. "We're eager to see this program succeed, both for the individuals involved, and for the additional opportunities it may create for others."

                   
                  RSC vocational rehabilitation counselors will work in concert with SBDC counselors so that Ohioans with disabilities can develop a collaborative network of private and government resources. The partnership will allow the agencies to team and assess self-employment or business plan feasibility, cash flow projections and establish a path to start and sustain the business ventures for success.

                   
                  The almost $2 million Ohio Abilities project will invest $1.1 million in ARRA dollars for support funding and $883,000 in vocational rehabilitation funding for grants to jump start business projects for citizens with disabilities who are receiving services from RSC. The investments will build wealth and increase community access for Ohioans with the most significant disabilities.

                   
                  Increased access to self employment and entrepreneurship opportunities were one of the most common suggestions from the more than 1,400 Ohioans with disabilities and their associates who met with RSC in March during café-style listening sessions held throughout the state.

                   
                  RSC has also invested $1.3 million in ARRA funds to hire a national expert, Griffin-Hammis Associates (GHA), to provide intensive training for up to 900 RSC staff and community partners to assist Ohio's disability services network in creating more customized, supported and self employment opportunities for Ohioans with the most significant disabilities. GHA, an Ohio based company, will also use this funding to work with 48-60 Ohio entrepreneurs with disabilities as they start their own businesses. This work is taking place at six demonstration sites representing both urban and rural areas across Ohio. The demonstrations sites are: Burdman Group, Inc.; Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities; Columbus Speech & Hearing Center; Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities; Goodwill Industries of North West Ohio; Linking Employment Abilities & Potential.

                   
                  For information about Ohio Abilities: Neighbors creating Jobs and Wealth visit www.rsc.ohio.gov/ohioabilities or call 1. 800. 282. 4536.

                   
                  -30-

                   
                  The Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission is a state agency serving Ohioans with disabilities. The Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) and Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) help people with disabilities get or keep a job. For those unable to work, the Bureau of Disability Determination (BDD) determines eligibility for Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income. Visit www.rsc.ohio.gov for more information.

                   
                  Working with partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the nonprofit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio's future.

                   
                  The Small Business Development Center of Ohio Network was created in 1985 through a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Ohio Department of Development.  The program fosters a strong climate for small business growth with many local community partners including colleges and universities, economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, and other community organizations.
                 
           
                  Ohio Department of Development  

                  Jeff Botti

                  614. 728. 6674

                  jeffrey.botti at development.ohio.gov
                 

                  Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission  

                  Eileen Corson 

                  614.438.1476 

                   614. 226. 5692 cell

                  eileen.corson at rsc.state.oh.us
                 
           
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