COLUMBUS__The Ohio Department of Development has announced the release of more than $5.3 million in funding to support business growth and community enhancement including a project in Bluffton to improve the SR 103-Navajo Dr. intersection.
During its Monday meeting, the Ohio Controlling Board approved the release of more than $1.6 million through its Regional 166 Direct Loan program to benefit a pair of businesses and more than $3.7 million in Roadwork Development Grants to assist in a trio of construction projects.
Three communities will benefit from the Roadwork Development Grant, also known as the 629 program.
The Village of Bluffton will receive $1.22 million for public roadwork improvements in support of the GROB Systems, Inc., project in Hancock County. The proposed roadwork consists of constructing a single-lane roundabout on State Route 103 at the intersection with Navajo Drive and the reconstruction of Navajo Drive from State Route 103 moving south and then west to the intersection with Pocono Drive. As a result of the project and state assistance, 200 full-time equivalent jobs will be created, and 838 full-time equivalent jobs will be retained.
Select Bluffton banks participate in free credit checks
So far in 2023, Crime Victim Services has helped 66 people who had credit accounts opened in their names, or credit cards stolen or misused. With identity thefts growing by the day, it’s important to monitor your credit report.
FINDLAY__The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation Board of Trustees approved grants totaling $544,997 at the November board meeting. This total includes 18 responsive grants, four president’s discretionary grants and 31 donor advised fund grants.
An ad hoc group of Bluffton dog owners and enthusiasts is inviting the Bluffton community to give a “Woof!” and support the creation of a Village dog park on Lake St. next to the Village Arboretum. The Village of Bluffton is providing land and ownership of the park but funds for the construction of fencing and other infrastructure depend on donations.
LIMA__First National Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Brent A. Dawson, a highly skilled and experienced commercial lender, to our team. Dawson is responsible for establishing and building customer relationships for First National Bank in Lima and its surrounding areas. Brent is excited to work alongside local small businesses to help them achieve their goals.
BHS Financial Literacy classes visit local non-profit shop
When it comes to Christmas presents, it may seem like kids these days are only interested in electronics. Not so with the students in Michaeline Lovell’s financial literacy classes at Bluffton High School, who picked out some hypothetical gifts for themselves on a field trip to Ten Thousand Villages store, on Main Street, Bluffton. These high school seniors enjoyed selecting coffee, tea, chocolate, jewelry and other gifts that are considered Fair Trade.
Although Ten Thousand Villages looks like a regular gift shop, it is a non-profit with a mission: to eradicate poverty and preserve the environment. Fair Trade is a movement that changes the way international trade works through better payment, decent working conditions, ecological preservation and a fairer deal for farmers and workers in developing countries. Believe it or not, the first Fair Trade store in the United States was created right here in Bluffton fifty years ago.
