Appalachian Partnership, Ohio Southeast, and Appalachian Growth Capital Host Annual Meeting, Announce Award Winners

Appalachian Partnership, Inc., (API), Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE), and Appalachian Growth Capital (AGC) held their Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 9th, at the Ohio University Inn and Conference Center, sharing the impact made across Southeast Ohio in 2021 and celebrating the accomplishments of local economic development partners and regional businesses. API serves as the parent company to the AGC and OhioSE.

"The past year has been among the most exciting for our organization,” began Board Chair MarJean Kennedy. “We have truly made unprecedented progress in an unprecedented time. As Chair Person of both the Appalachian Partnership and Ohio Southeast, it has been my honor to watch these two organizations, along with Appalachian Growth Capital, make significant strides forward this past year."

The hybrid event welcomed 100 in-person guests at the OU Inn, as well as nearly 100 virtual attendees from across southern and eastern Ohio. Honored guest speakers included Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, and JobsOhio President and CEO JP Nauseef, among others.

Introduced by Steve Evans, API Board Member and President of Steve Evans Country Sausage, Governor Mike DeWine addressed the aftermath of the pandemic, the promising impact of Intel’s investment on all of Ohio, the competitive advantage of JobsOhio, infrastructure needs in Appalachian Ohio, and recent investments across the region.

"Thank you for what you do. You are all leaders. You do a great job,” Governor DeWine said to the attendees. “Our future is in Southeast Ohio is very, very bright because of you."

Noble County was an infrastructure project award winner at the Ohio SE annual meeting where Governor DeWine was the Keynote speaker. OSU CD Educator Gwynn Stewart (left) is with Coshoctin County Port Authority Director Tiffany Swiggert welcoming the Governor to Appalachia for the day.

Mike Jacoby, President of OhioSE, provided an overview of the organization’s impact over the past year. OhioSE experienced growth again in 2021, adding new team members, programs, and initiatives to better serve the Southeast Ohio region, Jacoby shared. Last year, OhioSE in partnership with JobsOhio and local economic development partners, assisted 46 company expansions and new locations.

“Those companies will create 1,340 jobs and invest $352 million in fixed assets,” said Jacoby. Looking ahead, Jacoby said the organization will focus on further site and building development, large and small company expansion and attraction projects, workforce development through the Good Jobs Challenge grant, and transformational downtown projects. “This hardworking, dedicated team of professionals is delivering tangible results for the region,” he said.

Jacoby introduced JobsOhio President and CEO JP Nauseef, who discussed the unique economic development platform of JobsOhio, investments made in Southeast Ohio, and the project pipeline growth over the past few years. “Ohio Southeast is on an incredible track where the momentum is building, getting traction, and creating measurable results,” said Nauseef.

The Annual Meeting concluded with OhioSE Vice President Katy Farber announcing the recipients of four awards recognizing outstanding economic development efforts within the region.

For Best Community Development Project, the Noble County Infrastructure Expansions were honored. The Noble County Community Development strategic plan features goals and strategies related to the enhancement of public water and broadband infrastructure. In 2021, the county saw positive results in both areas.

Shown at left is Noble County Commissioner Brad Peoples, Ohio State Univ. Extension Community Development Educator IV, Gwynn Stewart and Mike Jacoby, OhioSE President. Stewart accepts the Noble County award for Community Development.


For Best Building Development, the Logan-Hocking Industrial Park in Hocking County was recognized. This partnership in Hocking County is poised to capture investment from both retail companies as well as attraction for new industries.
For Best Site Development, Lawrence and Scioto Counties were recognized for the NS Haverhill/SOID Sewer Extension project. The scope of the project included upgrading and adding 5.5 miles of an eight” force main sanitary sewer service for three industrial sites.
For Best Project, RK Administrative Services, LLC (operating as Rural King) in Pike County was honored. Announcing the third expansion of their Ohio operations in 2021, Rural King has now acquired 2.8 million square feet and 120 acres for future development, invested over $65 million, and created more than 715 jobs.