Hocking College is the largest technical college in Ohio with nearly 5000 students at the Nelsonville campus and over 1500 students at other locations throughout the region. Students attend from every county in Ohio, 30 different states and over 50 different foreign countries. The Athens, Hocking and Perry County service district is the smallest population base of any Ohio college district.
An early and continuing A.R.C. initiative is health care. The shortage of trained personnel in such basic health careers as nursing was critical. Hocking College began all of its early health education technologies with assistance from A.R.C. Today, the Hocking College nursing program has received numerous excellence awards, has the top average among schools of nursing in Ohio on passage of the state board exam and graduates more nurses than any other college in Ohio (including Ohio State University.) The Schools of Nursing and Allied Health enroll nearly 1000 students annually.
A.R.C. assisted in funding the Hocking Valley Motor Lodge in 1973. During the last week in July 2000, the student chef team of the Hocking College Culinary Institute placed second in the nation in the American Culinary Association annual competition in Nashville, Tennessee. Hocking College probably would not have had a culinary program, if A.R.C. had not built what is now the Ramada Inn. In addition to serving as the laboratory for hospitality technologies, the Inn has hosted countless events that brought people to Nelsonville and expanded the service capabilities of the college to its community.
The uniqueness of Hocking College programs has allowed it to develop as a full time residential college. Over 2000 students move to the area for residence during their school years. The economic impact of the resident and commuter (2500) students is very significant. Program uniqueness has also encouraged the college to host many annual events. The Paul Bunyan Show, hosted by the forestry technology, is the largest annual event in southeastern Ohio with an annual economic impact estimate of over $2 million.
One of the more recent A.R.C./Hocking College projects was the water and sewer lines for the Perry Campus in New Lexington. A.R.C. also provided the initial laboratory equipment for the startup of the Perry Campus. The Ohio Board of Regents does not set aside funds for new program startup. Consequently, A.R.C. assistance is critical to new program development that requires extensive laboratory investment. Once the program has enrollment, Ohio Board of Regents funding is adequate to sustain most programs. But, without A.R.C., startup costs are often a major impediment. It is important to remember that Ohio is in the bottom 1/3 of states, in terms of support for higher education. Participation rates also lag other states. Participation rates in Appalachia remains lower than the statewide average.
A.R.C. and specifically the Buckeye Hills Hocking Valley Regional Development District has provided excellent planning and economic development assistance. The goals and strategies which are constantly updated have assisted Hocking College and all agencies in the region with garnering additional private and public funds. The response and often the willing partnering of Buckeye Hills Hocking Valley Regional Development has provided the strength that individual agencies, even a state assisted college, can't muster by themselves.
In spite of the good works, and outstanding cooperation on regional issues, A.R.C. has not led the region into uniform economic prosperity. While the evolution of economic prosperity is somewhat mystic, the tangible contributions of A.R.C. are perhaps most recognizable at places like Hocking College. Not only have thousands of Appalachian youth and adults received the very best career education, but thousands more have come to the region, contributed to it and move on because of the attraction of the programs of Hocking College. At least, part of the mystery of positive regional economics is about creating attractions i.e. attractions for commercial investment or attractions for individual investments. Individuals invest two years of their time in Nelsonville when they attend attractive programs at Hocking College.
The Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad and Robbins Crossing on the Hocking College campus attract over 30,000 visitors annually. Any enhancement that A.R.C. can provide to existing attractions will have continued long range positive economic impact. Perhaps the greatest current attraction is an available labor pool. Appalachians are known for their outstanding work ethic. The current problem is lack of technology skills. High school completion rates are low. Higher education participation is low. Investment in technical education for 18 to 30 years of age is a no brainer. This investment would be an outstanding commercial attraction. An attraction that would bring jobs and long term careers
In looking to the future of the region and reflecting on investments of the past, stewardship remains a critical force. Every investment will not pay huge economic dividends. There will be disappointments. In the long run, the investments made with eye to the permanence of their steward will have lasting value. A.R.C. for the most part has provided resources to permanent institutions of the region. This practice should continue to build the region's economy. Overall, ARC has become a keystone in the regional economy. An economy that desperately needs to expand. Changing the keystones configuration will have a significant regional economic effect.