The Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet) is a community-based economic development organization serving the 32 counties of Appalachia Ohio. The mission of ACEnet is to grow the regional economy by supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening economic sectors.

ACEnet staff accomplishes this mission by partnering with regional microenterprise and development practitioners to create a healthy local economy, allowing opportunity for all residents to start businesses, obtain quality jobs, and connect with other entrepreneurs for mutual benefit.

Rural Action was founded in 1991 on the principle that locally-based, sustainable, and inclusive development is the main strategy for building resilient rural Appalachian communities. Rural Action’s mission is to build a more just economy by developing the region’s assets in environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable ways. We do this work by focusing on sectors identified as important by our members: food and agriculture, forestry, zero waste and recycling, environmental education, watershed restoration, and energy. Emerging work in social enterprise development and local tourism are more recent parts of our portfolio. Additionally, Rural Action currently runs and operates the Upcycle Ohio Community Makerspace.

The Community Makerspace is a place where instead of gaining access to treadmills and stationary bikes you’re gaining access to tools and equipment you likely don’t have access to in your home. This includes woodworking tools, welding, and other metalwork tools, sewing machines, looms, and even space to discuss your future business ventures with knowledgeable community members. You can pay monthly, annually, or buy a punch card for inconsistent use.

The Makerspace aims to foster creativity and build entrepreneurial and educational opportunities in the fields of woodworking, metalworking, fiber and fabric arts, and recycled plastic production in Southeast Ohi

The Building Bridges to Careers Epicenter business incubator and makerspace offers 7 unique spaces within 6,600 square feet of our Washington County, OH location, the Epicenter, where community members and businesses can access professional grade equipment and receive input from content experts to bring their creative ideas to life. BB2C bridges the gap between education and employment by fostering relationships to inspire career choice. The Epicenter houses the offices of our Washington County BB2C Staff as well as our projects, the BB2C Small Business Incubator and the BB2C Makerspace. Our Small Business Incubator project supports economic development, entrepreneurship, and career connections. Our Makerspace project is a community hub for creativity and hands-on-learning.

If you’ve always had a passion for creation but never had access to equipment, this is your chance. The IDEA Lab is utilized in several Zane State programs but it’s also a great resource for businesses in the community! The possibilities here are endless with the amount of equipment available, ranging from vinyl cutters, 3D printers, Band Saws, Sublimation printers, and much more.

The Ohio University Innovation Center is a business incubation program for viable early-stage, technology-based, and technology-enabled companies that want to scale. We provide professional space, onsite coaching, access to a network of experts, a community of support, a virtual membership option, and much more.

The Hocking Makers Network is devoted to empowering people to find their passions through introduction to tools; approachable, affordable classes; and workshop membership opportunities to pursue their interests on their own. Pipelines to (1) workforce development, (2) higher education, (3) entrepreneurial endeavors, or (4) avenues to explore new hobbies all contribute to the value that the HMN provides to Nelsonville and surrounding communities.

The Robert C. Byrd’s (RCBI) Maker Vault provides the community with a space to experiment, develop, and learn through self-led projects and group workshops. Making high-end professional equipment and materials affordable and accessible for all, the Maker Vault extends RCBI’s support of innovation and entrepreneurship to everyone, giving a retired bank vault new life as a repository of ideas and creativity.

The Kricker Innovation Hub hosts various events, such as the Entrepreneurial Speaker Series and Startup Weekend Portsmouth, that promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration. Additionally, we help businesses and entrepreneurs grow and bring their ideas to tomorrow’s market.

The Somerset Builder’s Club is a makerspace, coworking space, business hub, community center, and creative space located in the heart of the Village of Somerset, Ohio.