JEDISO Celebrates 10 Years of Job Creation

Tammy Eallonardo
EDASO | Ross Co CIC | JEDISO

A new economic development entity was formed in southern Ohio in 2013 from a $126,000 capital commitment by Fluor-BWXT Portsmouth (FBP), the contractor responsible for decommissioning and decontamination of the Department of Energy Portsmouth site.  The Joint Economic Development Initiative of Southern Ohio (JEDISO), led by the economic development directors of Pike, Ross, Scioto and Jackson Counties, has become a driving force for economic development in southern Ohio.

Since its inception, JEDISO has leveraged $2.3 million grant support to encourage $672 million in capital investment within the region.  Annual funding provided by the Fluor BWXT Opportunity Fund led to the creation of 1235 new jobs and the retention of 1412 jobs.

Resolutions of Support were recently passed by Commissioners of the four partner counties to recognize the impact that JEDISO has had on the region:

“While some changes are anticipated with the D.O.E. (Department of Energy) Portsmouth Site in the coming months, the Commissioners (of each individual county) remain optimistic about the vital collaboration that JEDISO has shared with the site’s managing contractor over the course of time.  We look forward to a new chapter with continued investment in our communities through JEDISO.”

JEDISO is led by Sam Brady, Director, Jackson County Economic Development Partnership; Tammy Eallonardo, Director, Greater Chillicothe & Ross County Development; Gary Arnett, Director, Pike County Economic Development; Robert Horton, Director, Scioto County Economic Development.