Guernsey County, OH – The Guernsey County Board of Commissioners is proud to announce local projects included in the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA)’s regional Appalachian Community Grant (ACG) Program application called Destination Appalachia: Pathway to Prosperity. The application was submitted on Friday, December 8, and is under review by the Governor’s Office of Appalachia for potential funding.
Among the 41 regionally transformative projects from across the 10-county OMEGA region, were four submitted by Guernsey County. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Building restoration, the Great Guernsey Trail extension and Turner Avenue Streetscape/trailhead, the Southeast Ohio Center for Business Innovation, and the Cambridge Performing Arts Center renovation were submitted for review under the application.
“The spirit of collaboration that was demonstrated throughout the process of preparing this unprecedented grant opportunity for the Appalachian region is inspiring,” explained Dr. Vicki King-Maple, Executive Director of OMEGA. “From over 90 projects proposed, Guernsey County’s proposals demonstrated the ability to deliver a transformational, sustainable project, with quantifiable, actionable, and achievable outcomes and research – leaving us incredibly hopeful that it will be funded.”
If approved, the Great Guernsey Trail will extend the existing seven-mile bike/hiking trail by an additional three miles with direct access into downtown Cambridge with a new trailhead and streetscape improvements at Turner Avenue. By linking Lore City and Kipling to Cambridge there will be essential resources to enrich businesses and services.
In addition, the proposed project will bolster economic development and tourism in downtown Cambridge, where the historic preservation of the site of Cambridge’s first courthouse and home to a prominent social organization, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), building is also set for a transformation. The property, which has served the community since the late 1800s, will have a restored exterior and façade with a mural on the west side of the building to highlight and preserve the historic heritage of Cambridge and Guernsey County. Electric system and plumbing, interior remodeling for accessibility and multifunction use are also planned. Once completed there will be mixed-use space with offices and suites for up to five (5) businesses and a contemporary community event space to meet the need for events to serve up to 100 participants.
The third project in the proposal is the Cambridge Performing Arts Center (CPAC). Under the new plan, guest counts are forecasted to grow by more than 250% and two new jobs will be created. CPAC is part of a greater Appalachian regional theater consortium which includes Zanesville’s Secrest Auditorium, Barnesville’s State Theater, and Coshocton’s Pastime Theater.
Rounding out the fourfold project is the Byesville Elementary School building, capitalizing on the proactive efforts of the Village of Byesville and Rolling Hills Local Schools to reuse the space upon completion of a new school being constructed in the coming year. A business plan was developed and submitted as part of the Destination Appalachia grant to transform this historic building into the Southeast Ohio Center for Business and Innovation (SEO CBI). It will serve the greater region, addressing healthcare, innovation, business incubation, and cultural heritage preservation. Secured tenants include the Muskingum Valley Health Center, which will provide comprehensive primary health and behavioral healthcare clinics, a medical laboratory, imaging services, and a pharmacy. The SEO CBI will provide resources to current and new business ventures, including an expansion of workforce development resources for technical education and training to be provided by the Guernsey County Library. Plans are also underway to include a maker space type lab for STEM and innovation, as well as a food service establishment.
“We would like to thank the Community Improvement Corporation’s Steering Committee, chaired by Ray Chorey, for their countless hours in reviewing local projects and determining which ones best met the Appalachian Community Grant Program’s vision and requirements,” said Dave Wilson, President, Guernsey County Commissioners.
Jack Marlin, Commission Vice-President, added, “We’re excited to have our projects included in the regional application, and we would like to recognize OMEGA’s leadership in crafting an application that will transform these 10 east central Ohio counties.”