Voinovich School wins national Impact Awards

Ohio University's Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service recently won two of the three 2024 Impact Awards given out in Ohio by the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO).

Clara Bone, a senior project manager at the Voinovich School, in partnership with the Buckeye Hills Regional Council and OMEGA (Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association), led the Resilience Initiative for Southeastern and Eastern (RISE) Ohio project to bring new development projects to 18 counties in Appalachia. The  RISE Ohio project was honored with one of the Impact Awards.

Bone points to Coshocton County, where the groups assisted county officials with research and technical assistance to aid with recovery in the wake of the closing of the local coal plant.

“We combined those two focuses into one project to support growth and economic transition away from coal economy,” Bone says. 

Voinovich School faculty member Dr. Natalie Kruse Daniels led a partnership with local health departments, Virginia Tech University and West Virginia University that significantly enhanced Appalachian preparedness for climate change driven by flooding and extreme weather. This partnership received the second Impact Award.

The project's focus on strengthening regional relationships, supporting resiliency projects and publicizing local communities’ most effective initiatives has had a profound impact on the local communities.

“Our team from several universities across Central Appalachia has reached out and listened to local health departments and emergency management agencies about the challenges of extreme weather events in the region,” says Kruse Daniels. “We have learned about the needs and innovative practices happening in the region. With a long history of extractive industry and lack of resources in Appalachia, we explored the vulnerabilities and the local practices that can be successful in the region, demonstrating our commitment to understanding and addressing the region's unique challenges.”

The annual Impact Awards program celebrates NADO members’ efforts in advancing regional planning, economic development, resilience and more. These projects have significantly impacted their regions and demonstrate the diversity of services and program delivery provided by regional development organizations nationwide.

The Impact Awards are named in honor of Aliceann Wohlbruck, NADO’s first executive director. For 24 years, she was a tireless champion for regional approaches to economic development in rural communities and small towns. 

The awards will be presented to the winners at the annual NADO conference in New Orleans this October.