Expanding Partnerships to Improve the Region
Overall, 2018 saw many areas of growth for MVRPC. Specifically several new organizations and jurisdictions were engaged in regional efforts through the new Greater Region Mobility Initiative (GRMI), the Equity Initiative, and Sustainability Roundtables. Each topic attracted a new group of stakeholders dedicated to expanding collaboration and improving the Region. Launched in 2018, the GRMI is a pilot program focusing on developing a transportation coordination plan for a nine-county region. The Equity Initiative and Sustainability Roundtables both focused on improving residents’ quality of life by addressing existing problems and working together with residents, community leaders, and organizations to make improvements.
We look forward to the New Year and to Shaping Our Region’s Future Together.
2019: A Critical Year for Infrastructure Funding
As mentioned in December’s edition of the Executive Director’s Update, federal and state budget cuts will have an impact on the amount of funding available next year. Several years of stagnant revenue sources have affected all levels of governments’ ability to pay for needed transportation and other infrastructure. Due to price increases in building supplies, labor, transit vehicles, and professional services, revenue increases are definitely needed so that the infrastructure can keep up with demand.
All levels of government have dealt with this new reality and have stretched their resources quite well; however, more revenue is needed now. Beginning in 2019, numerous Ohio associations including regional councils, county engineers, public transit, municipalities, and the entire transportation industry will be working collaboratively to seek an increase in the Ohio and federal motor fuels taxes. The federal motor fuel tax was last increased to $0.184 per gallon in 1993 – more than 25 years ago! Ohio’s motor fuel tax was last increased to $0.28 in 2005 – more than 13 years ago. We expect to see efforts in 2019 with the new Congress, Ohio administration, and General Assembly to seek an increase in each funding source and index the new tax to meet inflation. To learn more about the work conducted by the Ohio coalition “FOR Ohio” and to sign up to support the coalition, please go to fixourroadsohio.com.
RIDESHARE Program Celebrates 40th Anniversary
2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the RIDESHARE Program and we’re celebrating by sponsoring a $40 Gas Card Giveaway Contest. Anyone who lives, works, or attends college in Clinton, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery or Preble Counties, in Ohio, is eligible to register for a chance to win a $40 gas card. Each month, one (1) winner will be randomly selected on the last Friday of the month. Go to MiamiValleyRideshare.org or call 1.800.743.SAVE to register for a chance to win.
In addition, we developed a Commuter Club Card which was mailed to all registered RIDESHARE Program participants. It features discounts to retail establishments and the card can be used multiple times throughout 2019. It is our way of thanking participants for doing their part to reduce air pollution, reduce traffic congestion, and conserve gasoline. Twenty-four (24) local and national businesses are featured on the card. The cards and a mailback survey were sent to approximately 3900 participants.
Regional Bikeway Quarterly Meeting
The Regional Bikeways Committee held its quarterly meeting on Friday, December 14, 2018, at Huffy Corporation’s headquarters in Miami Township, Montgomery County. With over thirty participants present, Bob Stomel, Huffy’s National Sales Director, provided an interesting overview of the bicycling business and the various niches Huffy Corporation is working to fill. Approximately 16 million bicycles are sold annually in the U.S., with Huffy selling roughly 5 million of those. Huffy’s global operation is directed out of their Miami Township headquarters, with all research, partnerships, design, and product development happening locally. Their products are manufactured in China. Stomel and the rest of the Huffy staff were wonderful hosts for our winter meeting. The agenda included a wide-ranging discussion regarding two different proposals for conducting an economic impact study related to the Miami Valley Trails and bicycling in the Region. Specific points of discussion included goals of such a study, additional funding partners, and what forms of economic impact should be emphasized in the study. The group came to a consensus to form a “steering committee” to guide the evolution of this proposed project.
MVRPC’s Active Participation in the Miami Valley Planning and Zoning Workshop
MVRPC was a proud sponsor and an active participant at the 32nd Annual Miami Valley Planning and Zoning workshop, held on Friday, December 7, 2018, at Sinclair Community College.
Attended by over 400 people, the workshop featured 27 educational sessions, including 3 sessions led by MVRPC staff. The first session “Get a Move On – Providing Transportation Access” featured our current Human Service Transportation Coordination Plan update efforts and the Greater Regional Mobility Initiative. The second session “There’s an (GIS) App-lication for That” was a panel discussion session led by MVRPC staff on how GIS is used to improve decision-making process. The third session “Make It Count – 2020 Census Efforts in the Miami Valley” featured the upcoming 2020 Census with representatives from the Dayton-Montgomery County Complete Count Committee and the U.S. Census Bureau.
MVRPC assists the U.S. Census Bureau and local efforts as a Census Affiliate Organization. In this capacity, MVRPC launched a 2020 Census Resource page to provide the latest information with our members. Please visit https://www.mvrpc.org/data-mapping/census-data-center/2020-census-resource-page for more information.
Grants & Funding Resources
On a monthly basis, MVRPC highlights several funding opportunities on our website that could benefit communities in the Region. We include a description, contact information, and program links to available funding. Also listed are other valuable resources for finding funding opportunities. See more at: mvrpc.org/grant-and-funding-opportunities.
This month we are featuring information on:
- Ohio Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School (SRTS) – Deadline: March 4, 2019.
- Art Works – Deadline: February 14, 2019.
If you need assistance with your grant pursuit or further research, please contact Martin Kim, Director of Regional Planning, at 937.223.6323 or mkim@mvrpc.org.
Upcoming MVRPC Meetings
1/17/19 9:30 a.m. Technical Advisory Committee, MVRPC, 10 N. Ludlow St. Ste. 700, Dayton
2/07/19 8:30 a.m. Executive Committee: Dayton Realtors, 1515 S. Main St., Dayton
2/07/19 9:00 a.m. Board of Directors: Dayton Realtors, 1515 S. Main St., Dayton
Download the January 2019 Executive Director's Update PDF