Congratulations to MPA Director Dr. Joe Drew on his receipt of a $145,000 grant from the Ohio Board of Regents and the Rehabilitation Services Commission for the Kent Vets Online program. Congratulations also to Bill McIntyre and Roy Messing of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) on receiving a $75,000 grant from the Heron Foundation and a $225,000 grant from the U.S. Dairy Association for the development of cooperatives in Ohio.

The Heron Foundation grant is a general support grant for two years (May 1, 2011 - April 30, 2013) for a total of $150,000 and payable at $75,000 per year.  As a general support grant, the Heron Foundation is supporting the Ohio Employee Ownership Center's mission "to promote employee ownership in order to broaden capital ownership, deepen employee participation, retain jobs locally, and increase living standards for working families and their communities."

The Heron Foundation supports organizations that engage in wealth creation for low income individuals and that produce metrics to provide evidence of the impact of their activities.  With funding from the State of Ohio, Federal government, the Heron Foundation and other foundations, donations, and fees for services rendered, the OEOC has helped 14,658 employees become employee-owners at 89 companies and amass wealth in excess of $344 million.