Our Mission To improve the quality of life in Jackson, Pike, Ross and Scioto Counties through Economic Diversification, development of the underutilized land and facilities on the Piketon Department of Energy Reservation, and continued support of local industry.

The propose of the Southern Ohio Diversification (SODI) is to successfully transition four Ohio counties; Jackson, Pike, Ross and Scioto, from dependence on the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant to greater long term economic stability. SODI was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in July 1997 to serve as the Community Reuse Organization (CRO) for the Department of Energy Portsmouth site in Piketon, Ohio, which is undergoing closure of its gaseous diffusion plant. The US Department of Energy Office of Worker and Community Transition (WT) has provided financial and technical assistance to SODI to implement the Community Transition Plan projects prepared by the communities to ease the adverse effects the closure has had on the area economy. The program has resulted in significant improvements of infrastructure, business development activities, and workforce training programs throughout the region. SODI projects have assisted in the creation and retention of over 1,000 jobs in its four county impact area.

The Pride of Progress

1995 Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative (SODI), is established.

1995-2004 SODI receives $15 million from the US Department of Energy for Economic Development activities.

1996 OSCO Industries open foundry at the Ohio River Industrial Park creating 100 new jobs.

2000 Mills Pride opens the 1 million square foot Andrew Jackson Distribution and Assembly facility at the Zahns Corner Industrial Park.

2000 Shelton Industries locates metal working operation at the Ohio River Industrial Park and employs 130.

2003 Mills Pride adds production of a new cabinet line at the Andrew Jackson Distribution and Assembly facility. Employment at their Zahns Corner Industrial Park operations tops 500.

2003 Horizon Communications constructs training and operations building at the Gateway Industrial Park. Over 100 people are employed in the facility.

2004 United States Enrichment Corporation, USEC, selects the Piketon, Ohio Department of Energy Reservation for the location of their $1.6 billion Advanced Centrifuge Plant. When fully operational in 2010, 500 employees will operate the plant.

2004 SODI leases the Zahns Corner speculative building to BEI Expressway Trucking and Service. Employment rises to more than 30.

2004 City of Jackson sells the 40,000 square foot speculative building in the Sarah James Industrial Park to American Warehousing.

2005-2006 SODI and The Ohio State University open the new Endeavor Center Business Incubator and Training Facility. Employment reaches in the first year of operation with 15 business locating within the center.