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CRO Partners

As indicated below, the CRO projects in each community were achieved through the work of project sponsors and partnerships with local, regional, and state education and government institutions.

Crown City
Vinton
Chesterhill
New Straitsville

Major Partners

ADEC - American Distance Education Consortium
ADEC is a non-profit distance education consortium composed of approximately 65 state universities and land-grant colleges. The consortium was conceived and developed to promote the creation and provision of high quality, economical distance education programs and services to diverse audiences, by the land grant community of colleges and universities, through the most appropriate information technologies available. For more information see http://www.adec.edu/.

OSCnet
OSCnet (the networking division of the Ohio Supercomputer Center) is a regional Internet Service Provider connecting more than 90 college and universities throughout the state of Ohio. OSCnet continually investigates and implements the latest in advanced technologies in order to serve and support the information architecture of its member schools. OSCnet provides direct access to campuses throughout Ohio and across the country through both the commodity Internet and Internet2, and provides direct support for the academic and research missions of its member schools. For more information see http://www.osc.edu/oscnet.

ITEC-Ohio
This technology development division of OSCnet was designated by the University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (UCAID) in 1999, ITEC-Ohio is a consortium of Ohio universities, government agencies, and corporate partners whose mission is to examine critical new applications and infrastructure problems in order to meet the emerging academic, engineering, and industrial needs in research, education, government and commerce. For more information see http://www.itechio.org.

The Ohio State University Office of the CIO
The Office of the Chief Information Officer provides information technology leadership, a comprehensive application and services portfolio, and a sound technology infrastructure to the campus community in support of academic excellence and standing through technology innovation in teaching, learning, research, and administrative support. For more information see http://cio.osu.edu/index.html.

Transportable Satellite Internet System
The Transportable Satellite Internet System (TSIS) includes a local wireless capability that can penetrate the wall of a nearby building, and provide normal 802.11b connectivity inside the building. It also includes a generator and batteries, is totally self-contained, and can run for more than 24 hours unattended. The system is designed so that it can be set up and operated by one person. The TSIS is a portable satellite Internet access system. This is a small trailer that can be pulled by any vehicle with a trailer hitch, which carries a small (1.2 meter diameter) dish antenna, plus all related electronics. It provides 24 ports of 10/100 Ethernet to connect to any nearby computers or LANs. The total speed of the satellite connection is 1.5 Mbps/sec downlink, and 512Kbps/sec uplink, at guaranteed rates. A major goal of the TSIS is to extend educational opportunities to underserved areas, especially to the adult learning populations throughout rural Ohio. Rather than commuting to major cities for classes and coursework, students can receive distance education courses through their local libraries, schools, or community centers.
http://www.osc.edu/networking/initiatives/tsis.shtml

Crown City Partners

ACEnet
The Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet) is a community economic development organization located in rural southeastern Ohio. The mission of ACEnet is to build the capacity of local communities to network, innovate, and work together to create a strong, sustainable regional economy that has opportunities for all. ACEnet uses a sectoral strategy, currently focusing on the food and technology sectors of the economy. For more information go to http://www.acenetworks.org/.

Village of Crown City
Crown City is a village of 411 residents (U.S. 2000 census data) in Guyan Township of southern Gallia County, about 100 miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio, and 14 miles northeast of Huntington, W.V. The village is situated at the intersection of Ohio State Routes 7 and 553, nestled between the Appalachian foothills and the banks of the Ohio River. For more information, see: http://ohio.hometownlocator.com/OH/Gallia/Crown-City.cfm

The Governor’s Office of Appalachia
Operating within the framework of the Ohio Department of Development, the Governor's Office of Appalachia (GOA) represents the interests of the 29 counties comprising East Central, Southeast and Southern Ohio. The GOA is a division within the Ohio Department of Development and works on behalf of the Appalachian Regional Commission in Washington, D.C. The GOA's mission statement is: "to support local, regional, state and federal initiatives which allow the people of Ohio's Appalachian region to obtain economic, educational and community prosperity." For more information see http://www.odod.state.oh.us/goa/.

University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College
The University of Rio Grande, founded in 1876 and known for its excellence, creativity and innovative approach to learning, is located in the town of Rio Grande in the beautiful hills of Southeast Ohio. Rio Grande Community College opened its doors in 1974 and, to this day, Rio Grande is a unique combination of community college and private university. The University of Rio Grande provides programs in the liberal arts, sciences, business, teacher education, fine and performing arts, nursing, and technologies. URG has a diverse curriculum and offers a range of educational opportunities with open access at a reasonable cost. URG grants associate, bachelor and master degrees. Rio Grande Community College offers a variety of credit and non-credit courses, seminars, workshops and events as part of life-long learning and enrichment. For more information see http://www.rio.edu/.

The Ohio Learning Network
The Ohio Learning Network (OLN) was established in 1999 by the Ohio Board of Regents to coordinate distance-learning initiatives for the State of Ohio. The OLN staff aggregates services and resources so Ohioans can meet their learning potential, Ohio’s economy can grow, and Ohio colleges and universities can continue to be knowledge leaders. OLN helps Ohioans find educational programs that meet their needs, works with colleges and universities using technology to improve teaching and learning, and helps build partnerships among higher education, schools, businesses, and communities. The OLN home office is in Columbus, and regional coordinators provide a local presence across the state. For more information see http://www.oln.org/about_oln/.

OSU Extension
The OSU Extension Office fulfills the land-grant mission of The Ohio State University by interpreting knowledge and research developed by the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Ohio State and other land-grant universities, so that Ohioans can use the scientifically based information to better their lives, businesses and communities. With three centers, as well as an office in every county, OSU Extension works with young children and the aged, farmers and business owners, community leaders and elected officials. For more information see http://extension.osu.edu/.

Gallia County Department of Jobs and Family Services
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services develops and oversees programs and services designed to help Ohioans become independent through education, employment, job skills, and training. Other ODJFS programs help to ensure a safe and healthy environment for individuals and families who need help caring for their basic needs. ODJFS programs are funded by the state and the federal government. Some programs are administered locally by county agencies, such as the Gallia county Department of Jobs and Family Services. GCDJFS is located at 848 Third Avenue in Gallipolis, Ohio. For more information see http://jfs.ohio.gov/ocomm_root/0001InfoCenter.stm.

Mindleaders
MindLeaders is a Dublin, Ohio-based employee and individual performance-improvement company with nearly 25 years of experience in the technology-based, self-paced training field. MindLeaders provides personalized learning that supports organizational success. The company’s e-learning tools cover topics ranging from networking in an enterprise environment to personal use of the pc and from healthcare privacy issues to business skills. For more information see http://www.mindleaders.com/.

Microsoft Corporation
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. For more information see http://www.microsoft.com/en/us/default.aspx.

Vinton Partners

OCCN - Ohio Community Computing Network
OCCN is committed to creating a society in which everyone has equal opportunity to gain access to computer and network technology for life-long learning and personal and community empowerment. OCCN is an alliance of community computing centers and others committed to promoting the creation and sustainability of community computing centers. These centers provide opportunity and support to those who typically lack access to and understanding of computer and network technology. OCCN provides technical, program, and fundraising support, advocacy, and develops and encourages communication, collaboration and joint action among organizations and communities. For more information see http://www.ohioccn.org.

Village of Vinton
Vinton is a village in Gallia County, Ohio, situated at the junction of Ohio State Routes 160 and 325. The community was named for Samuel F. Vinton, who laid out the community. A lawyer from nearby Gallipolis, Ohio, Vinton was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 22 years and was noted for his service on the Public Lands Committee, helping to create the United States Department of the Interior.
http://www.hometownlocator.com/City/Vinton-Ohio.cfm

U.S. Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is a United States Federal Cabinet Department. Its purpose is to develop and execute policy on farming, agriculture, and food. It aims to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers, promote agricultural trade and production, work to assure food safety, protect natural resources, foster rural communities and end hunger, in America and abroad. For more information see http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome.

Vinton Elementary School
Belonging to the Gallia County School District, Vinton Elementary School is located at 123 Keystone Road and offers classes for students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. The school district, created from the consolidation of four smaller locals in 1974, is a large land mass district covering over 420 square miles in Gallia and Jackson counties. In 1983 the taxpayers of the school district approved a bond issue that paid for the construction of four new elementary schools, including Vinton Elementary. For more information see http://www.gcls.k12.oh.us/index.aspx.

Gallia and Vinton County Educational Service Center
The Gallia and Vinton County Educational Service Center, located in Rio Grande, serves local districts in Gallia and Vinton Counties. Ohio’s Educational Service Centers (ESCs) are dedicated to providing school districts with professional development, technology, support, planning, and administrative services that help improve student learning, enhance the quality of instruction, expand equitable access to resources and maximize operating and fiscal efficiencies. Based on nearly 100 years of delivering services to districts on a local and regional basis, ESCs assess frontline needs, develop best practices, share lessons learned, increase accountability among regional service providers and deploy statewide initiatives to local school districts. For more information see http://www.oesca.org/index.asp.

TechCorps Ohio
TECH CORPS Ohio is a state chapter of the national TECH CORPS non-profit organization. Founded in 1995, TECH CORPS Ohio received its charter in 1999. The organization is dedicated to improving K-12 education at the grassroots level by helping educators and students effectively use technology in their schools. TECH CORPS supports the advancement of equal access to technology, technological resources and skills development for students across Ohio. TECH CORPS Ohio is funded through individual, corporate and foundation contributions. The organization is driven by local technology needs and draws on the expertise and enthusiasm of technology-literate members of the local community. Since 1999, TECH CORPS Ohio has recruited, placed and supported more than 320 tech-savvy volunteers in 250 schools in eleven Ohio counties. For more information see http://www.techcorpsohio.org/index.asp.

Redemtech
Redemtech has made Technology Change Management a reality by providing major companies a sole outsourced solution for upgrading conventional IT asset recovery to lean change management – enterprise-wide, worldwide. Taking full accountability for deployment and recovery of new and used computer equipment, logistics management, value-based integration services, data security, remarketing of salable IT assets, parts harvesting and equipment sourcing, assured computer recycling and indemnification against regulatory liabilities. For more information see http://www.redemtech.com/default.aspx.

Chesterhill Partners

Village of Chesterhill
Chesterhill is a village of 300 located approximately 100 miles southeast of Columbus, in southern Morgan County. Although Chesterhill is a small community, it has a rich tri-cultural history with a significant African-American and Native-American (Cherokee) population. Chesterhill also has an unemployment rate of more than 16 percent. The Ohio Department of Development classifies Morgan County as an “At-Risk” county with per-capita market income that is less than 66 percent of the national average.
http://www.chesterhillohio.com/

Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services develops and oversees programs and services designed to help Ohioans become independent through education, employment, job skills, and training. Other ODJFS programs help to ensure a safe and healthy environment for individuals and families who need help caring for their basic needs. ODJFS programs are funded by the state and the federal government. Some programs are administered locally by county agencies. For more information see http://jfs.ohio.gov/ocomm_root/0001InfoCenter.stm.

Washington State Community College
The college was founded in 1971 as Washington Technical Institute with its one-building campus located in Marietta. In 1972 the name became Washington Technical College as part of a reorganization of Ohio's higher education system. In 1991, the College was re-chartered as Washington State Community College and at the same time relocated to its current campus in Marietta. Washington State, in partnership with The Ohio State University, delivers training classes in Microsoft Windows and Office to the residents of Chesterhill. For more information see http://www.wscc.edu/.

New Straitsville Partners

SPICE (Southern Perry County Incubation Center for Entrepreneurs)
SPICE is a team of southern Perry County residents who applied for and received a MIRA (Managing Information with Rural America) grant from the Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Michigan. SPICE is a non-profit organization located at North Valley Bank, North Valley Street, Corning, Ohio. Its mission is to foster the development of small businesses and home-based businesses that will enable young people and other wage earning citizens of the once-bustling towns of Southern Perry County to stay in the community in which they were raised, and not seek employment elsewhere. For more information go to http://www.seorf.ohiou.edu/~ag721/.

Sunday Creek Associates
The Sunday Creek Associates is a non-profit (501c3) community development organization run by a seven-member board of trustees and two contract workers. It is located in rural Southern Perry County, Ohio, one of the poorest regions in the state. Instead of providing direct services to the community, the SCA acts as community organizer in many areas including local history and culture, youth support through recreation and the arts, restoration of the environment, and community organization and initiatives support. The SCA works to direct resources toward community development projects that are operated by groups such as the Holland Center in Corning, and the SPICEYAM and Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council in Shawnee. Through a grant from the W.F. Kellogg Foundation, SCA helped organize the Southern Perry Incubation Center for Entrepreneurs (SPICE), which in turn organized the Southern Perry Medical Records Service operated out of the Masonic Lodge in New Straitsville. Sunday Creek Associates was first organized in 1998 by sisters Lillian Winnenberg and Midge Palmer. The organization has no official office space, and is operated out of the homes and offices of the board of trustees and contract workers. For more information go to http://www.onlinearc.com/mira/mira2/OH_8.htm.




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