Stacy Cox, director of CCDJFS, which includes OMJCC, said that the Champaign County commissioners offered OMJCC the opportunity to move into the new office space, formerly used by the Madison-Champaign Educational Service Center, near the Board of Elections.
The agency accepted the invitation to move into this new setting and reconfigure it to modernize OMJCC’s services. Amy Sherman, OMJCC workforce supervisor, added that new technology, including video conferencing equipment, is being installed, supported by modernization funds provided by the State of Ohio for OhioMeansJobs sites across the state. Due to COVID-19, an open house is not being planned at the new location, Sherman said. But a virtual tour of the new OMJCC offices is being created. The OhioMeansJobs Champaign County Facebook page will announce when the virtual tour is ready for viewing on CCDJFS’s website. Sherman and Andrea Mitchell, OMJCC employer services representative, will maintain offices in the new suite, which will also include:
In its new location, OMJCC will continue to serve employers and jobseekers as a central point of access for employment, training and related workforce services provided by several area agencies and service providers. Employer services include:
Jobseeker services include:
For more information, contact OMJCC at 937-484-1581.  This Friday, February 26th at 1:30PM EST, join U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and the Small Business Administration (SBA) for a live webinar on how federal COVID-19 relief programs can support your small business or venue.
You'll hear directly from Cleveland and Columbus SBA representatives on PPP, EIDL, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program, Enhanced SBA Guarantee, SBA Debt Relief, and more. All small business owners, venue operators, and Ohioans are welcome to join and ask questions. Click here to RSVP (then click "Register") or type https://sen.gov/MYL4 into your browser. From Urbana Daily Citizen
Michael Family Farms has acquired the former site of Urbana Local and plans to construct an agricultural facility on the land at the intersection of state Route 54 and Hickory Grove Road. The property was auctioned off by Urbana City Schools district for $75,000 after new schools were constructed. The old school site will be home to two former students’ farming business. Siblings Kyle Michael and Kathy Michael Sponheim purchased the former site and plan on starting construction this month on the 40,000-square-foot facility.“ We have recently been able to expand our operation in Champaign County,” said Sponheim in a prepared statement. “We have picked up some land and continue to look for additional irrigated acres to increase production. Demand continues to rise for locally grown food that is good for you, and our potatoes provide a delicious, nutritious, addition to any meal.” Potatoes are the main fare of the agri-business venture, which is rooted in family. “We are thrilled to be able to build two stateof- the-art potato storages and a grading facility to support our growth. The controlled atmospheric storages will hold 1 million pounds of potatoes that will be distributed to grocery stores across Ohio and surrounding states throughout the year,” Sponheim said. “The location is ideal for business but also holds special sentiment as our father Todd also attended grade school at Local as part of Urbana City Schools. With this facility, we will be able to better support a localized supply chain to deliver fresh produce with fewer food miles from farm to fork.” Sponheim said growing a family business has its challenges. “However we feel very fortunate to be able to do what we love and do it together,” she said. Todd has been active in the potato industry for decades and the passion for farming and agriculture was nurtured in Kyle and Kathy from a young age. Now taking over the operation, Kyle and Kathy plan to continue that legacy. Kyle recently was reappointed to serve on the U.S. Potato Board, following in both his father and grandfather’s footsteps. “Our philosophy at Michael Family Farms is driven by putting family first; after that we are committed to growing the business, sustainable cropping practices and delivering complete service to our customers,” Sponheim said.
A USDA Rural Development grant was received in 2018 to fund specialized equipment. The procurement of equipment is underway, though progress has been delayed because of the pandemic. Seeing no further delays, the Council hopes to open the kitchen for use this coming fall. This will be a big advantage for those with food businesses. Most kitchens of a similar purpose are only available in the major metropolitan areas of the state, which are not convenient for those in west-central Ohio. The Council would like to invite the community to help us come up with a name. If you have a creative name, please submit your ideas at http://go.osu.edu/KitchenName. Keep in mind this kitchen will be open for regional food producers (not just Champaign County) and catchy acronyms are great for shortening longer names. We welcome any new members to our group. You do not have to be involved in agriculter, just have a passion for it! Contact the Chamber or Amanda Douridas at Douridas.9@osu.edu. Amanda Douridas is the Champaign Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator for The Ohio State University Extension.
Travel a few minutes south and you will find one of Champaign County’s newest and most loved businesses, Dragonfly Vineyard and Wine Cellar. Visit this 4-acre vineyard in the Mad River Valley that produces its wine in its own onsite wine cellar from grapes that originate from its own estate vineyard as well as local and national vineyards. In the colder months a fireplace keeps you warm and cozy and in the warmer months sit among the vines and enjoy the view or call ahead/pre-order online for curbside pickup. Make sure you sample their award-winning Estate Cabernet Franc that recently received an honor from the Ohio Wine Producers Association. Jump back on Highway 68 and head down the road to the largest indoor fish hatchery and the largest producer of fresh trout products in Ohio. At Freshwater Farms of Ohio, their well-known retail store is bursting at the seams with gifts, local foods, and local wine. Ask about their popular smoked trout spreads and take home a bottle of wine that pairs wonderfully with the assortment of Ohio cheeses that are also available. Freshwater Farms of Ohio is passionate about supporting local food and products. An online store and curbside pickup is available. The next stop on the Wine Trail takes you to the heart of Champaign County in historic downtown Urbana. At Cafe Paradiso, you will find a little piece of Tuscany with a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Sip on a glass of vino while you enjoy a plate of freshly prepared Italian food. Cafe Paradiso offers complete lunch, dinner, and wine menus where you will find a flavor for any occasion. They also offer a dine at home option if that is your preference. While in historic downtown Urbana and the larger Monument Square District, venture to Teabaggers on North Main Street for a lunch stop or to shop their extensive selection of coffees and teas or to enjoy a beverage from the espresso bar. Enjoy a salad, a panini, a specialty or classic sandwich, a cup or bowl of homemade soup, a pastry, or the cheesecake of the day. While enjoying your meal, share a bottle of wine or enjoy your own glass of fine wine from their varied selection. The remaining two stops on the Champaign County Wine Trail take you to the eastern part of the county to the village of Mechanicsburg. Mixx 165 is a hidden gem that offers an extensive lunch and dinner menu. In addition, Mixx 165 is focused on craft beer selections with new selections being offered weekly on rotating taps, including a strong focus on Ohio craft beer. In addition to the craft beers on tap, an extensive wine collection is available, including many Ohio wines. Consider going on “Wine Wednesday” where select bottles of wine are half off. As you head into the countryside you will be greeted with more beautiful views and winding country roads that lead you to Folck Winery. Here, micro-wines are made from hand-picked berries grown on their small, family farm. Choose from a variety of strawberry, red raspberry and blackberry wine as well as artisan jam and honey that are also available. At Folck Winery, the tasting room is available by appointment and curbside pickup is available by calling the winery. For more information about the Champaign County Wine Trail and other ideas for exploring Champaign County contact the Visitors Bureau at 937-653-5764 or go to visitchampaigncounty.com. When visiting, explore our other tourist trails and enjoy an overnight stay at one of our local lodging establishments.
Take advantage of the sweet deals and enter to win! Prize package includes an overnight stay at Scioto Inn, dinner at Cafe Paradiso, flowers from Ethel's, movie tickets from The Gloria Theater, cupcakes from Let's Eat Cake, and gift certificates for shopping at Kaleidescope, The Boston, Guild Galleries, The Vintage Traveler, Unique Boutiques, Oxners, Lily's Garden, Carmazzi's, Downtown Divas, and The Shop Around the Corner. Triad Middle School is beginning a new project, Let Grow, to offer students the opportunity to grow as individuals. The purpose of the project is to foster independence for the students in grades 5 through 8. Essentially, students complete a project outside of school that enables them to take one step closer to independence. "Simply by being independent they are analyzing situations, evaluating consequences, and overcoming obstacles. Independence leads to new problem-solving, resilience—and joy."
In order to keep student interest, they would like to offer a drawing for a prize bi-weekly or monthly for each grade. Support from local businesses in the form of a small gift card would be an amazing opportunity to promote how this community supports schools. If you are would like to contribute to this project please contact Middle School Guidance Counselor Sarah Haggard at haggards@triadk12.org.
Learn more about World Cancer Day and about a local resource to utilize if you or someone you know in Champaign County is battling cancer and what we can do locally to help and support those battling cancer. Also, at the bottom of this article, make sure you check out the conversation with Whitney Denson, Patients Services Director at the Cancer Association of Champaign County. World Cancer Day, the fourth of every February is the global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control. By raising worldwide awareness, improving education, and catalyzing personal, collective and government action, we're working together to reimagine a world where millions of preventable cancer deaths are saved and access to life-saving cancer treatment and care is equal for all - no matter who you are or where you live. More than one third of cancer cases can be prevented. Another third can be cured if detected early and treated properly. By implementing strategies on prevention, early detection and treatment, we can save up 3.7 million lives every year. Through raising the public and political literacy and understanding around cancer, we reduce fear, increase understanding, dispel myths and misconceptions, and change behaviors and attitudes. Here are a few strategies that YOU can implement today to reduce your risk of developing cancer: 7 Tips for Cancer Prevention from the Cancer Association of Champaign County
The Cancer Association of Champaign County is an amazing organization that supports cancer patients in Champaign County. Let’s take action this World Cancer Day to support the CACC by raising awareness (sharing this article), and by raising funds for research (donating on their website) so that we can make a difference! Visit cancerassociationofchampaigncounty.org to donate today!
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