2001 Annual Report Executive Summary
Greater Portsmouth Enterprise Community
2001 was a transitional year in which the Enterprise Community narrowed its focus to twelve benchmarks. Each of these active benchmarks has secured funding from other sources or has completed steps toward funding. They all continue to make substantial progress toward their objectives. New funding received during the year totaled $4,093,000. The GPECC board and its provider partners are actively seeking support for new and existing benchmarks. Funding requests as of 12/31/01 total @1,886,000. Two new benchmarks (46 and 47) became active during 2001. Both have obtained full funding support and are currently providing services. Benchmark 44 has received partial funding that has allowed for acquisition of the property and the start of renovations. No benchmarks were de-activated during the past year. Benchmark 42, which was made inactive in 2000 after successfully meeting its objective, has resulted in funding being obtained for an Information Technology Incubator. That activity will become a new benchmark before the end of the first quarter. Activities and services included in inactive benchmarks 4-8-9-11-13 continue as integral components of broader based, countywide programs.
The Brownfields Initiative continues to make progress through the EPA funded Brownfield Initiative Demonstration Project. Through this effort, new Brownfield sites with the EC are being identified and reclamation plans are being formulated. Reclamation and marketing continues at the New Boston site with work on an additional ten acres. Entrepreneurship remains a major part of the strategic plan. Enterprise Community provider partners have a total of $1,298,000 available to support new or expanding businesses in the area. SOPA is also aggressively marketing the two completed industrial buildings on the New Boston site to appropriate buyers or tenants. The Welfare to Work one-stop program has grown substantially as a component of the CAO’s Scioto Employment and Training System (SETS). The former GPECC project received $714,000 in 2001 for programs serving those making the transition from public assistance. The City of Portsmouth has obtained funding for construction of water and sewer lines to the site of the Sun Coke plant (41). That project also includes a large water tower to serve the Franklin Furnace Industrial Park located near the Sun Coke property. The Southern Ohio Growth Partnership (SOGP) will implement Round III of its Intermediary Relending Program and will start up its new Permanent Revolving Loan fund. These two projects have a combined $1,250,000 for entrepreneurs starting new businesses or expanding an existing one.
The Portsmouth Inner City Development Corporation’s (PIDC) Micro-loan program for minorities has leveraged its initial EC Block Grant award of $50,000 into loans totaling $215,000 to date. Through repayments and interest earned, the project has a loan pool of $48,000 as of 12/31/01. Horizon Utilities continues its expansion of natural gas service to the residents and businesses of Washington Township.
The CAO Health Clinic maintained the expanded schedule of primary health care services initiated in 1995 through the original GPECC grant. The Clinic has also implemented a new project to address the on-going problem of teen pregnancy in the area. Funded by the local Department of Jobs and Family Services, the project directly served 234 clients in its first six months of operation and provided counseling to an additional 1,100 teens. The CAO Dental Clinic (43) began direct services to patients in January 2001. A total of 1,820 patients were treated during the first year of operation. The dental clinic has expanded its services to include an in-school sealant program and treatment tailored to the special needs of those with developmental and physical disabilities. The base funding for the project was increased by $225, 000 during 2001.
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