I hope you had a tremendous holiday season and are ready to experience 2016. MVRPC is in a great position to provide our members, and the entire Region with much-needed regional/local mapping and data, strategy development, facilitation, and funding advice so that the Region continues to prosper.  Initiatives and issues during 2016 we’ll be focusing on include: Project funding solicitations: reviewing new projects seeking MVRPC, state, and federal funding through the Region’s PDAC and MPO processes to ensure the Miami Valley Region benefits equitably;  Funding: determining what the new 5-year federal transportation bill will mean for the Miami Valley;  Presidential election year:  seeing how the national political discord and events affect our Region when it comes to voter turnout, elections, and addressing long-term problems;  Updated plans, maps, and data:  assisting our members, by updating baseline data using improved economic forecasts, helps provide a better understanding of local opportunities and challenges. Up-to-date demographic forecasts are vital to proper planning, and we are here to help.  MVRPC is already assisting several of our members and we will be discussing how the new plans, and more importantly, how the actions and results are progressing; and More cooperation and conversations:  reaching out to communities, especially those on the edge of the Region, will allow them to benefit from data, maps, and plans, from which they can make the best decisions for their county, township, city, or village.

My hope is for a strong 2016 with the Miami Valley cooperating and prospering as we continue Shaping the Region’s Future Together.