Vax-A-Million Spurs More Vaccinations In Fayette & Ross Counties

May 24, 2021 Mike Smith

(COLUMBUS)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided the following updates on Ohio’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

VAX-A-MILLION UPDATE

Governor DeWine announced today that Ohio continues to see increased uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine following the announcement of the Ohio Vax-a-Million promotion.

From May 14 through May 19 as compared to May 7 through May 12, vaccinations in Ohio increased 94 percent among those 16 and 17 years old, 46 percent among those 18 and 19 years old, and 55 percent among those between 20 and 49 years old.

Through that period, vaccinations are up 113% in Fayette County and 107% in Ross County.

In total, 2,758,470 individual Ohioans have registered for the $1 million Vax-a-Million drawing and 104,386 young Ohioans have registered for the scholarship drawings. Ohio’s first Vax-a-Million drawing will take place at 7:29 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26.

Registration for this Wednesday’s drawing ended at midnight but vaccinated Ohioans can register for subsequent drawings at ohiovaxamillion.com or by calling 833-4-ASK-ODH. Once you register, your entry will be carried over for future drawings; Ohio Lottery will remove duplicate entries.

VACCINE UPTAKE AMONG OHIO MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES

Governor DeWine called on managed care companies to continue efforts to increase vaccine uptake among Ohio Medicaid beneficiaries. Right now, the vaccine uptake among Medicaid beneficiaries is 22 percent as compared to a 45 percent uptake among Ohioans overall.

Governor DeWine initially challenged managed care plans to implement new efforts earlier this month, and since then, new efforts include:

Partnering with pharmacies and providing incentives, such as gift cards, to those on Medicaid who are vaccinated at a pharmacy.
Incentivizing pharmacists to counsel those picking up prescriptions about vaccinations.
Working with local health departments, community providers, and faith-based initiatives to help spread the word about vaccination events to those on Medicaid.
Providing staff to help run vaccination events when needed and providing transportation to make sure people can get to and from the vaccination locations.
Tailoring strategies to meet people where they are, such as identifying individuals who can’t leave their homes and working with providers to go to these locations to administer vaccinations.
Working with providers to help them create vaccine opportunities outside of normal business hours.

ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE

Governor DeWine today clarified information about isolation and quarantine in regard to Ohio’s school students.

Beginning on June 2 and in accordance with CDC guidance, vaccinated children do not have to quarantine or be tested if they are exposed to COVID-19. Unvaccinated children who are exposed to COVID-19 should quarantine if the exposure took place outside of a classroom setting where masks were required to be worn. Unvaccinated children should also isolate if they test positive for the coronavirus. Local health departments should determine if quarantine or isolation should occur.

“While these are not state health orders, isolation and quarantine are standard infection control practices that have been used successfully for hundreds of years,” said Governor DeWine. “These practices are the same practices that are used for many other communicable diseases including measles and mumps.”

Individual school districts will decide whether or not to continue masking and social distancing in school settings.

NEXT ROUND OF TECHCRED

Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced today that the next round of TechCred runs June 1st through June 30 at 3:00 p.m.

Ohio businesses can visit TechCred.Ohio.gov to apply and help their employees earn a short-term, technology-focused credential at no cost. Not only can businesses upskill their current employees, but they can upskill those they plan to hire as long as they are on the payroll at the time of reimbursement.

More than 1,100 Ohio businesses have used TechCred, creating the opportunity for 19,841 technology-focused credentials to be earned by Ohio employees.

CASE DATA/VACCINE INFORMATION

In-depth COVID-19 data for Ohio: coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Ohio’s central scheduling system: gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov

Ohio mass vaccination information: coronavirus.ohio.gov/massvaccinationclinics

All vaccine providers: vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov

More vaccine information: coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine

Video of today’s full update, including versions with foreign language translation, can be viewed on the Ohio Channel’s YouTube page.

For more information on Ohio’s response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.

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Camp Cattail Unveils Recent Improvements

May 24, 2021 Mike Smith

Presented By Classic Brands

Improvements to the restrooms at Camp Cattail are now complete, thanks to grant funding for the camp for the developmentally disabled.

Improvements include:

Men’s side: 2 urinals, 1 stall that is ADA complaint, Women’s side: 2 stalls that are ADA compliant, new sinks, new showerheads/shower, and new roof/drop ceiling/new lighting.

Bathrooms are open open Thursday afternoons through weekend.

Ross County Board of D.D. Community Outreach Director Courtney Lewis said- “Camp Cattail was rewarded a grant from the Landrum Endowment Fund. This second annual grant round was designed to support nonprofit and public organizations serving those with developmental disabilities in Ross County by working across the areas of community advocacy, inclusion, and employment, while also supporting parents and families. Camp Cattail Inc. received funding to increase the accessibility and overall experience of its day camp programs, which engage children and adults with developmental disabilities in activities such as walking and fishing. Grant funding will allow the camp to update its restrooms to be more accessible and up-to-date.”

The Landrum Endowment Fund was created in 2016 after George Landrum, a lifelong resident of Ross County, left an endowment of $1.2 million to the Ross County Board of Developmental Disabilities, also known as the Pioneer Center. George’s brother, John Landrum, received over 30 years of service from the Pioneer Center.

Camp Cattail Board Member and Human Resources Director Brady Ratzlaff, said- “Last year in early February/March (2020), Camp Cattail updated the shelter house (roof, siding, gutters…etc.) prior to COVID-19. This project was funded by Camp Cattail through the Chillicothe Enduro Riders Club event, Camp’s Benefit fundraiser, and other donations in 2019.”

Ratzlaff continued- “In 2020, we were unable to have the yearly benefit in August due to COVID-19, so we sought out a grant from the Landrum fund to help update our bathrooms. The bathrooms had outdated toilets, plumbing, and the roof was in despair. We were awarded $25,000 from the Landrum grant for Steve Core with Core’s Quality Home Repairs to makeover the bathrooms. The total project cost was $28,014.14. The difference in the grant and project costs has been paid with funds raised in previous events in the community. The bathrooms are now easily accessible for individuals with disabilities. The project was completed just in time for our summer camps.”

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Pickaway County Among Communities To Benefit From Ohio Tax Credit Authority Projects

May 24, 2021 Mike Smith

Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted today announced the approval of assistance for nine projects set to create 3,214 new jobs and retain 4,520 jobs statewide. During its monthly meeting, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) reviewed economic development proposals brought to the board by JobsOhio and its regional partners. Collectively, the projects are expected to result in more than $187 million in new payroll and spur more than $606 million in investments across Ohio. Projects approved by the TCA include:

CENTRAL
Bath & Body Works Direct Inc., village of Commercial Point (Pickaway Co.), cities of Columbus, New Albany, and Reynoldsburg (Franklin Co.), expects to create 500 full-time positions, generating $18.3 million in new annual payroll and retaining $135 million in existing payroll as a result of the company’s expansion project in Commercial Point. Bath & Body Works is a retail store chain that specializes in shower gels, lotions, fragrance mists, perfumes, creams, candles, and home fragrances. The TCA approved a 1.421 percent, eight-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

Transcendia Inc., village of Hebron (Licking Co.), expects to create 36 full-time positions, generating $1.9 million in new annual payroll and retaining $8 million in existing payroll as a result of the company’s expansion project in Hebron. Transcendia manufactures plastic films and other plastic products. The TCA approved a 1.274 percent, six-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

NORTHWEST
Matsu Ohio Inc. (Matsu Automotive Group), village of Edgerton (Williams Co.), expects to create 104 full-time positions, generating $3.6 million in new annual payroll and retaining $8.6 million in existing payroll as a result of the company’s expansion project in Edgerton. Matsu Automotive Group is a stamping plant that provides body parts and welding and assembly capabilities. The TCA approved a 1.124 percent, seven-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

Peloton Interactive Inc., Troy Township (Wood Co.), expects to create 2,174 full-time positions, generating $138 million in new annual payroll as a result of the company’s new project in Troy Township. Peloton is a leading interactive fitness platform and creates connected, technology-enabled fitness products and digital content. The TCA approved a 2.301 percent, 15-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

SOUTHWEST
Magnode LLC, city of Trenton (Butler Co.), expects to create 171 full-time positions, generating $10.6 million in new annual payroll and retaining $16 million in existing payroll as a result of the company’s expansion project in Trenton. Magnode is an aluminum extrusion manufacturer. The TCA approved a 1.811 percent, nine-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

Sentrilock LLC, West Chester township (Butler Co.), expects to create 79 full-time positions, generating $4.3 million in new annual payroll and retaining $9.5 million in existing payroll as a result of the company’s expansion project in West Chester. Sentrilock makes access management lockboxes and software to help administer, grant, and control access typically used in the real estate market. The TCA approved a 1.494 percent, seven-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

StarStone US Intermediaries Inc., city of Cincinnati (Hamilton Co.), expects to create 40 full-time positions, generating $4.5 million in new annual payroll and retaining $3.3 million in existing payroll as a result of the company’s consolidation project in Cincinnati. StarStone is a specialty insurer providing property casualty and specialty insurance. The TCA approved a 1.936 percent, eight-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

WESTERN
Aptima Inc., city of Fairborn (Greene Co.), expects to create 15 full-time positions, generating $1.1 million in new annual payroll and retaining $3.2 million in existing payroll as a result of the company’s expansion project in Fairborn. Aptima is a human-centered research, development, and engineering company. The TCA approved a 1.375 percent, six-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

Resonetics LLC, city of Kettering (Montgomery Co.), expects to create 95 full-time positions, generating $5 million in new annual payroll and retaining $7.3 million in existing payroll as a result of the company’s expansion project in Kettering. Resonetics manufactures and develops laser micro components for the healthcare industry. The TCA approved a 1.493 percent, eight-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

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Older Americans Month

May 24, 2021 Mike Smith

Presented By Atomic Speedway

(Columbus) — May is Older Americans Month. The 2021 theme for Older Americans Month, established by the U.S. Administration for Community Living, is “Communities of Strength.”

Communities of Strength

Ohio has more than 2.8 million residents age 60 or older, who account for nearly one quarter (24.3%) of our total population. Older Ohioans are a key source of our state’s strength, drawing on lifetimes of experiences, successes, difficulties, and resilience. Ohio is rich in this respect.

In tough times, communities find strength in their people and people find strength in their communities. Over the past year, we have seen friends, neighbors, and businesses come together in unprecedented and often unexpected ways to support one another.

Strength is built and shown not only by bold acts, but also small ones of day-to-day life shared with one another. When people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities, and talents share experiences—through action, story, or service—we help build strong communities.

To go along with celebrating our senior population, the state of Ohio urges safety in the home-place as most Ohioans prefer to stay in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. However, as we age, our physical and social needs can change, and our homes that have kept us safe for so long may no longer be appropriate for our current situation. Sometimes, only minor changes are needed to make your home safe again.

Home maintenance, repair and modification services help older Ohioans preserve existing property values and make structural modifications or repairs necessary to help them live safely.

Home maintenance includes a variety of critical routine services, such as inspecting furnaces and water heaters, fixing or replacing torn window screens or broken panes, or replacing electrical fuses.
Home repairs include repair or installation of heating and air conditioning equipment; minor plumbing or electrical repair; repair or replacement of gutters, shingles, flashing or other roofing; and repairs to eliminate holes or other hazards in flooring or stairs.
Home modification makes the physical environment more functional and accessible, enabling people with disabilities to perform daily activities with greater independence. Examples include building ramps, widening doorways, installing grab bars and other assistive devices.

Funding for these services comes from a combination of public and private funding and local resources. Work is provided by licensed contractors and others.

Contact your area agency on aging to learn about Older Americans Month activities in your community as well as safety tips for their homes.

#StoriesOfStrength

Ohio is fostering communities of strength by creating opportunities to share stories, learn from each other, and celebrate connections and resilience. There are many things we all can do to nurture ourselves, reinforce our strength, and continue to thrive. We want to hear your story!

Submit your #StoriesOfStrength