ACEnet News Story Archive

“The times they are a-changin.” While Bob Dylan’s lyrics were heard for the first time 57 years ago, they continue to echo across the land.

 

Today, these words ring true as we work with small businesses in our region, many of whom are currently struggling with employment issues and perceived labor shortages.

At ACEnet, we have been working to find new, innovative ways to help our communities and our clients at this unique point ... Read More

We would like to invite you to our Virtual Holiday Open House! In years past, we opened ACEnet’s Food Ventures Center for a family-friendly event with local food, wine & non-alcoholic beverages, and local holiday shopping opportunities, while sharing more about what ACEnet does in our community.

In 2020 we pivoted to virtual to make it easier & safer for you to meet the ACEnet family of entrepreneurs and shop their businesses, and in that process, ... Read More

ACEnet facilities, including the Food Ventures Center in Athens & the Food & Farm Enterprise Center in Nelsonville are and will remain open until further notice. ACEnet staff is available in-person and virtually for our various business counseling services. Please email your needs to info@acenetworks.org and you will be connected with a staff member who can assist you.

 

Federal Resources for Small Businesses & Nonprofits Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

This loan fund is for Small Businesses and ... Read More

Are you looking to start up or expand your food and/or farm business? Do you need access to a licensed commercial kitchen or food hub? Wheeling, WV based nonprofit Grow Ohio Valley is working to open a shared-use kitchen/food hub & would appreciate your input!

The project team envisions a facility with shared commercial kitchen space, food processing & packaging equipment, refrigeration, and other facilities equipment that may be too expensive for small, local businesses to ... Read More

Find your next adventure with 20 Under 20. 20 destinations within 20 miles of Shawnee, Ohio: outdoor destinations + seasonal events and local amenities for fun and refreshment after your outdoor time.

Delia Palmisano, ACEnet’s Multimedia Designer and Scott Kreps, the Shawnee Trail Town Coordinator partnered up to bring the booklet to life. Delia took the lead on visual content and design and Scott focused on identifying the outdoor destinations. Nicki Mazzocca from the Little Cities of ... Read More

Farmers markets provide an opportunity for local farmers to earn income while giving others access to fresh and healthy food. This exchange strengthens the culture of community, building a sense of trust, support, and friendship.

Do you have an idea for amazing products to sell at the farmers market, but find yourself wondering, “How do I start?” ACEnet is offering a free Farmers Market Toolkit online to walk you through the process from startup & production ... Read More

ACenet is excited to welcome Molly Sowash to our staff! Molly began her position as the Food Partners Access Coordinator for the Appalachia Accessible Food Network in March 2021.

The Appalachia Accessible Food Network is a collaborative project between ACEnet, Community Food Initiatives and Rural Action’s Sustainable Agriculture program to accelerate the distribution of local foods into Appalachian Ohio communities by strengthening access, production, and consumption components of a local food value chain.

Through funding from the ... Read More

If you live in or commute to the city of Athens, it has been impossible to not notice the amount of road construction occurring on Stimson Ave. The corridor is under major renovation, an upgrade that is long overdue. The project will reconstruct the corridor from East State Street and Grant Street. Stimson Avenue, which is a main entrance into the heart of Athens, was last updated in the 1970s. The one downside is getting ... Read More

April 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of the opening of ACEnet’s Food Venture Center in Athens, Ohio. The facility was one of the first rural, kitchen incubators to open in the U.S. Staff and tenants celebrated the grand opening by breaking a loaf of Crumbs Bakery’s Challah Bread. The planning, site selection and building renovation had been a long time in the making. That lead time allowed us to hit the ground running and the ... Read More

Apply for an Appalachian Wood Craft Scholarship!

Are you a woodworking enthusiast looking to turn your passion into a profession?

Perhaps you’re ready for a career change or a fresh start and would like to develop the skills required to utilize a natural asset of Appalachian Ohio – our native oak, hickory, black walnut, and other trees – to make and sell wood products in a profitable, sustainable way.

Thanks to Rural Action, the Appalachian Center for Economic ... Read More