FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2008

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced that the Central City Economic Development Council has been selected to perform the community services needs of Richland County residents and took responsibility for services on April 1. An estimated $254,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be allocated for senior citizen activities, meal programs, and emergency services.

"Improving the capacity to help individuals and families move toward greater self-sufficiency is of the utmost importance to the State and the citizens who are served by Ohio's community action agencies," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "I'm confident that the Central City Economic Development Council will provide the Richland County residents with timely, professional services."

The Council received designation as a Community Action Agency effective April 1 and will receive training and assistance from the Ohio Department of Development through December 31, 2008. During this time, Community Service Block Grant programs will be transitioned to the Central City Economic Development Council.

The Ohio Department of Development's Office of Community Services administers funds to Ohio's 52 community action agencies across the state. During the last program year, they administered $24,454,036 of resources aimed at alleviating the problems of poverty in Ohio's communities. Nationally, Ohio ranks second in the amount of resources developed by its community action network.

The Ohio Department of Development's Community Development Division (in which the Office of Community Services is housed) administers a variety of state - and federally funded programs that benefit low - to moderate - income individuals and families. As part of the state's overall development efforts, the Division coordinates these programs to form a comprehensive strategy to build stronger, healthier communities throughout the state.

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Media contacts: Kelly Schlissberg at (614) 466-4133 or Melissa Vince at (614) 466-6619