R usty Allison, the keynote speaker for the Business Summit, held on August 22, 2018, was encouraging, insightful, and enthusiastic about his message: Leveraging ‘Google My Business’ to market

a product or service using the power of the Google search engine. The term, SEO was used throughout his presentation, which is an acronym for “search engine optimization”. Search Engine Optimization is a concept used by companies to maximize the number of visitors to a particular website by ensuring that the website appears at the top of the search results. Rusty spoke about the following topics: standing out in a crowd, free advertising when people find your business on Google, preventing piracy, using multipliers to increase site popularity, standing out in a crowd, personal engagement with customers, and

empowering individuals to manage their Google presence.

Rusty's primary role is teaching and coaching business owners how to make the most of their Google My Business listing and how to leverage Google to attract attention and grow their businesses. He does this through one-on-one's, company classes, workshops and speaking engagements.

www.GuideportSolutions.com or find Rusty on LinkedIn

Features Business Summit

Highlights Page 1

Disaster Grant Page 2

Business Spotlight Page 3

Youth Spotlight Page 3

Partner Spotlight Page 4

OhioMeansJobs, Pike County Quarterly Newsletter

Igniting the Spark

Fall, 2018

THE COMPETITIVE EDGE

Business Summit 2018

The Southern Ohio Healthy Food & Lifestyle Initiative (SOHFLI) Community Garden

located at CAC of Pike County on Market Street is GROWING!! Staff and community

volunteers have put forth a valiant effort to make the garden a

“fruitful” endeavor. An abundant crop of beautiful vegetables and

herbs have sprouted a crop of excitement!! Volunteers have

dedicated Friday mornings to work in the garden and everyone was

invited to participate. With fall approaching, clean up of the garden

will commence soon. Volunteers will be needed to assist with that. If

interested, call Amber Wheeler at 740-289-2371 ext. 7007.

National Dislocated Worker Disaster Grant 2018

T he 2018 National Dislocated Worker Disaster Grant work crews have been busy assisting County Townships as well as the County Engineer’s office with clean-up efforts, revitalization, flood prevention, and general road and ditch repair. The projects were presented for approval and must encompass the specifications of the Department of Labor and FEMA’s definition of flood damage related to storms and flooding that affected Pike County in February 2018. The crews were provided chainsaw and worksite safety training, provided by The Ohio Department of Forestry, on August 13th and each crew member has received a CPR/First Aid Certification. The goal of the grant is to not only assist the townships with much-needed labor, but also provide crew members (all of whom meet the WIOA Dislocated Worker and/or long term unemployed eligibility criteria) with on-the-job training, soft skills, and additional training and case management.

Upcoming Workforce & Business

Development Workshops scheduled at

The Kricker Innovation Hub

221 Chillicothe Street, Portsmouth

Using Social Media to

Market Your Business 10/9/18—1-4p

The Business of

Business 10/26/18—9a-12p

Pricing Your Products

11/9/18—1-4p

Managing Your Cash Flow

11/30/18—1-4p

SMALL BUSINESS CLASSES OFFERED SELF-EMPLOYMENT:

FROM DREAM TO REALITY!

The Business Development Program of the Community Action Committee of Pike County, the OSU Small Business Development Center, and the Pike County Career Technology Center has scheduled classes for starting your own business. “Self-Employment: From Dream to Reality!” will begin Tuesday, October 16th, 2018, and will meet each Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. through Thursday, November 15th, 2018 at the Community Action Committee of Pike County

located at 941 Market Street, Piketon. The fee for the five-week class is just $15. For more information and/or to obtain a registration form, call 740-289-2371 or toll free at 1-866-820-1185.

ACCESS TO CAPITAL WORKSHOP

Shawnee State University’s Kricker Innovation Hub in conjunction with the Workforce & Business Development Program, a division of the Community Action Committee of Pike County presents an Access to Capital Workshop for entrepreneurs inspiring to start or grow a small business. The Workshop is scheduled for Friday, September 28, 2018 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Financing your business can be a difficult task. Before you approach a lender, it’s important to understand the lending process and to be prepared. This workshop gives entrepreneurs a look at various was to finance a business and the process of getting a loan.

More details can be found on the flyer included in this issue.

Register to attend by emailing Angela Duduit. aduduit@shawnee.edu

Comprehensive

Case Management Employment

Program

Helping the emerging workforce prepare for and

find meaningful employment.

Shyann Gillenwater

Business Spotlight!!!

B east and Bottle is owned by Nathan and Amber Bloss of Piketon and Josh and Amanda Newland of Waverly. All four (owners) made sure the

menu has something for everyone. “Our food goals, which we feel we have succeeded from the beginning, were to provide the community with a place to get authentic, delicious, wood-smoked meats,” says Newland. “Secondly, we wanted to make an outstanding cheeseburger that would stand on its own and bring people back in just for it. Lastly, we wanted to introduce some newer things that people may have not tried before.” In doing all of this, the owners pulled in a lot of influences in order to create their menu. “You can see Texas (brisket), the Carolinas (pulled pork and the sauces), New York (burger), Miami (Mojo skirt steak), and quite a bit of Grandma Edna’s (Newland) kitchen, as well. Everything we put on the menu had a lot of thought that went into it. We pride ourselves on being as homemade and local as possible and strive to improve that aspect every day,” Newland expressed.

“This has always been a dream. The timing, location, and people all came together at the right time.” said Nathan Bloss. “We are excited to see what this does for our county. Hopefully we may inspire a revitalization in downtown Waverly. I would just like to thank everyone for their continued support. When we eat or buy local, that money has three times the chance to return back into our community. “

Beast and Bottle is located at 106 S. Market Street, Waverly. They are open Thursday through Saturday 11a-8p or until they run out of food. Follow Beast and Bottle on Facebook @BeastNBottle or call 740-835-8429 for more information on their menu or catering prices.

Upcoming Workshops:

Coming Soon!!

MS Excel Training QuickBooks Class Small Business Class Resume & Cover Letter

Workshop Interviewing Skills

Workshop Managing Your Money

Wisely Basic Computer Skills How to Navigate the

OhioMeansJobs Website.

T he Comprehensive Case Management Employment Program (CCMEP) is designed to provide hands-on experience in actual employment settings, as well as individualized case management. Shyann Gillenwater has been participating in the CCMEP program for over a year. In addition to being a full-time E-Tech student at the Pike County Career and Technology Center, Shyann was also completing 12 to 25 hour per week of paid Work Experience through the CCMEP program. While enrolled in the program , Ms. Gillenwater received assistance with the cost of Driver’s Education classes and obtaining her license. After completing over 500 work hours with Community Action Committee of Pike County, Shyann was placed at the Garnett Wilson library where she displayed and strong work ethic and great attention to detail. These traits quickly led to Ms. Gillenwater being hired as a permanent library employee while still attending school. Her goals after graduation include obtaining a degree in Architectural Engineering. The CCMEP Program is honored to be able to assist in Shyann’s current and future success.

O pportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is the state agency that partners with Ohioans with disabilities to achieve quality employment, independence, and Social Security Disability determination outcomes. It is accomplished through its Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR), and Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI). OOD works with partners in businesses, education, and non-profit organizations to facilitate customized employment plans for Ohioans with disabilities. It also helps Ohio companies recruit and retain employees with disabilities. The BVR and BSVI bureaus serve eligible individuals with disabilities and assist them to attain and maintain competitive integrated employment. OOD works with adults seeking to enter the workforce or retain a job, as well as with youth, beginning at age 14, to assist them as they transition from high school into college and/or the workplace.

OOD counselors help individuals with disabilities make informed decisions about the type of job that is a good fit, prepare for that job, obtain that job, and keep that job.

Visit www.ood.ohio.gov for more information about OOD, news, and videos.

 

Contact Us Give us a call for more information about our services. OhioMeansJobs Pike County 941 Market Street Piketon, Ohio 45661 (740) 289-2371 Toll-Free (866) 820-1185

Partners Aspire http://www.pikectc.org/able.aspx VANTAGE Aging http://www.vantageaging.org Ohio Department of Job & Family Services http://jfs.ohio.gov ODJFS Veteran Representative http://jfs.ohio.gov/veterans/index.stm Workforce & Business Development Workforcebusiness development.org Pike County Department of Job & Family Services www.pikecojfs.org Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities http://www.ood.ohio.gov/ Valley View Health Centers http://valleyviewhealth.org/

Partner Spotlight!! Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

Working to promote economic growth

in the area since 1993

WHEN: Every Tuesday & Thursday, October 16—November 15

TIME:

1:00 p.m—4:00 p.m.

WHERE:

OSU Endeavor Center 1862 Shyville Road

Piketon, Ohio 45661

FEE: $15

Registration Deadline is Friday, October 11

941 Market Street P. O. Box 799

Piketon, Ohio 45661

740.289.2371 or Toll Free 866.820.1185

Fax 740.289.4291 workforcebusinessdevelopment.org

SMALL BUSINESS CLASSES OFFERED

SELF EMPLOYMENT:

FROM DREAM TO REALITY!

This institution is an equal

opportunity provider and employer.

The Workforce & Business Development Program of the Community Action Committee of

Pike County, the Pike County Career Technology Center, and the OSU Small Business Development Center has scheduled classes for

starting your own business.

“Self-Employment: From Dream to Reality!” will begin Tuesday, October 16, 2018 and will meet each Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.,

through Thursday, November 15th, 2018 at the OSU Endeavor Center in Piketon, Ohio. For more information and/or to obtain a registration form, call 740-289-2371 or toll free at 1-866-820-1185.

Discover how Self-Employment: From Dream to Reality! will help you develop your plan to be a

successful entrepreneur and give you the opportunity to learn a variety of skills needed to

own and operate a small business!

O n Wednesday, August 22, 2018, the Workforce & Business Development Program joined

forces with the OSU Endeavor Center and the Small Business Development Center to host the first annual Business Summit, Igniting the Spark. The Summit was geared toward

business owners, economic development professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs as a means of inspiring new business ideas and offering a networking opportunity for everyone.

Keynote speaker, Rusty Allison, of Google started off the morning with an in-formative presentation about using online tools to market business titled “Leveraging ‘Google my Business’”. Attendees took part in sessions throughout the day:

Accessing Capital, presented by Lisa Pfeifer of CAC of Pike County and Chris Smalley of The Small Business Development Center; Business Insurance, presented by JP Schmitt of State Farm Insurance; Banking Tools, presented by Tony Staley of Ohio Valley Bank; Finding Quality Employees, presented by representatives from the Ohio Office of Workforce Development; Financial Planning, presented by Dwayne Adams of Adams Wealth Management; and The Benefits of Employing Individuals with

Disabilities, presented by Keith Alcorn of HighCo, Industries of Hillsboro.

A huge thank you to all presenters, exhibitors, planning committee members, and the Workforce &

Business and OSU Endeavor Center staff. Special mention to the Pike County CTC Business Management Program Senior Class for assisting as Student Ambassadors for the event. Continental breakfast was furnished by Workforce &

Business Development, coffee was provided by Two Roasting Joes LLC of Chillicothe, and lunch was provided in partnership with OSU Extension Pike County.

Preparations are underway for next years’ event!

Business Summit 2018

Igniting the Spark