Laying the Groundwork for Progress
The Voinovich School recognizes that all economic and community development efforts rely on a strong foundation. This includes access to basic utilities, including clean water, reliable broadband, and an array of energy sources. In addition, new and expanding businesses want communities with sufficient housing, efficient local governments, and a skilled workforce.
Our faculty and staff partner with local development districts, elected officials, government agencies, nonprofits, and other key stakeholders to identify and assess gaps in Ohio’s infrastructure, plan for and identify funding to support expansion, and assist with implementation and evaluation of these efforts.
Our Programs at Work in the Community
Southeast Ohio Broadband /5G
To date, this project has brought in $1.2 million to help increase broadband/5G trainings across 25 counties. Our partners on the grant are Hocking College , the Area 14 Workforce Development Board and the Scioto County Community Action Agency . Our goal is to work with new and existing training providers to train the workforce needed for broadband/5G expansion and increase awareness to the broadband and 5G careers.
Raccoon Creek Watershed Project
For more than 25 years, the Voinovich School has been working with many partners to restore life to Raccoon Creek. Due to coal mining, its orange water was clogged with heavy metals and too acidic for fish to survive. With support from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Mineral Resources Management and others, 105 miles of this watershed now meet EPA habitat standards — as evidenced by the 94 species of fish that have returned.
Zero Waste
Since 2010, this partnership with Rural Action has received funding from the Sugar Bush Foundation to reduce local waste. This includes helping to grow resource recovery businesses, support local waste infrastructure, engage communities and Ohio University to become more active participants in waste reduction and diversion, and teach students about circular economy principles and sustainability. As a result of these efforts, Athens and Hocking County have measurably increased their waste diversion rates in recent years.
Team Lead: Jen Bowman
Applachia Ohio Regional Data Hub
We are a full-service mapping consulting service dedicated to providing innovative GIS solutions. Our experienced team utilizes the latest technologies to deliver high-quality, data-driven custom software solutions and data visualization for improved decision-making, with a focus on land use, green-way analysis, watersheds, energy supply chain and business.
Team Lead: Elkan Kim
Mayors' Partnership for Progress
Since 1996, the Voinovich School has provided staffing and support for the Mayors’ Partnership for Progress, a nonprofit that brings together elected officials from 21 Appalachian counties to advocate for their citizens, share information, and tackle common issues faced by communities throughout the region.
Team Lead: Amista Lipot
Voinovich Academy for Excellence in Public Service
The Voinovich Academy builds public service leadership capacity by offering professional and executive education programs to support current and future leaders serving public and nonprofit organizations throughout Ohio.
Team Lead: Deanna Clifford
How We Can Help You
Discover the Services We Provide and Meet Our Team Members
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Water
We have more than 25 years of experience partnering with communities, government and nonprofits to monitor and assess water quality, map water access, and mitigate the impact of abandoned coal mining and other impairments on watersheds and aquatic life.
Team Lead: Jen Bowman
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Brownfield Redevelopment
Since 2010, the Voinovich School PORTSfuture Program has partnered with public and private sector entities on a $15 million program to support the clean-up and reindustrialization of the former uranium enrichment facility in Pike County, Ohio. We work on master planning, community engagement and data analysis; site readiness and property transfer activities; industry discovery and attraction; and STEM outreach.
Team Lead: Stephanie Howe
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GIS and Data Visualization
We are a full-service mapping consulting service dedicated to providing innovative GIS solutions. Our experienced team utilizes the latest technologies to deliver high-quality, data-driven custom software solutions and data visualization for improved decision-making, with a focus on land use, green-way analysis, watersheds, energy supply chain and business.
Team Lead: Elkan Kim
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Local Government
With staffing support from the Voinovich School, members of the Mayors’ Partnership for Progress work together to advocate for their citizens, share information, and tackle common issues.
Team Lead: Amista Lipot
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Leadership Development
We can work with your agency or community to develop customized professional and executive education programs to build leadership and capacity.
Team Lead: Jay Johnson
Applied Learning
As part of our educational mission, the Voinovich School engages Environmental Studies graduate students, Voinovich Undergraduate Research Scholars and other undergraduate interns/employees to work closely with faculty and professional staff on projects. Experiences vary, but opportunities include hands-on activities with water quality testing and remediation project implementation; database development and GIS mapping; community outreach; and assistance with faculty research, including the potential for co-authored publication.
In the News
Using Cine-VR to revolutionize law enforcement training
Interdisciplinary team including Voinovich School is harnessing an explosion in emerging technology to tackle one of the nation’s most pressing problems.
Expanding the Broadband Workforce
Voinovich School helps solve training, access issues in Southeast Ohio.
Voinovich School Wins Funding for Electronic Aviation Upgrade
This funding will help 36 airports in Appalachian counties in Ohio, Kentucky and North Carolina identify the electrical charging infrastructure needed to support new electric aviation technologies.