MVRPC’s Human Services Transportation Coordination Council
MVRPC hosts the Human Services Transportation Coordination Council meetings each quarter. The council’s purpose is to increase options for people with disabilities and seniors through the coordination of public and private providers and the expansion of efforts and resources. Attendees include transit providers, users and human service agencies who exchange information and work to resolve issues. The HSTC council meetings are also a requirement for those wishing to receive Federal Transit Administration Funding. This funding allows for organizations to purchase ADA-compliant vehicles for only 20% of its value. The vehicles are used to transport non-drivers, allowing them to stay engaged in the community by taking them to jobs, medical appointments, shopping and recreation. Learn more at mvrpc.org/human-services-transportation.

MVRPC Members Awarded Highest Number of Projects in SFY2018
One of MVRPC’s priorities is to assist in securing Federal transportation funding for eligible transportation projects for our MPO member counties / jurisdictions. Annually, MVRPC encourages members to apply for funding for projects that meet the Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ), Surface Transportation Program (STP), and Transportation Alternatives (TA) criteria. Any proposed project must address transportation system needs and result in measurable improvement to the local transportation system.

In SFY 2018, over $15.9 million was encumbered by MVRPC and project sponsors for a total of 29 transportation projects in the Miami Valley Region. One of these projects included purchase of 3 of  RTA’s NextGen buses. Of Ohio’s regions and large cities outside of MPOs, Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission members received the highest number of projects funded in SFY2018. This was also the highest number of projects awarded funding among the eight large MPOs. This high number really speaks well of the applications and the projects themselves that our members submit to the MVRPC staff for funding. MVRPC staff collaborates closely with local government applicants / sponsors, consultants, and ODOT to ensure the projects are on schedule, within scope, and on budget. I also applaud our members for planning ahead and always having future transportation projects in the pipeline. Due to the planning by your staff members, if additional funding becomes available, a “ready” project can move up in the schedule and be completed ahead of time and the funding is kept in the Miami Valley. Long term planning combined with great projects have resulted in this large number of projects awarded – truly a win for the Region. Congratulations to your MVRPC staff members Paul Arnold, Bradley Daniel, and Ana Ramirez for their roles in making the process work for everyone.

Grants & Funding Resources
On a monthly basis, MVRPC is highlighting 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. We have also listed other valuable resources for finding funding opportunities. See more at: mvrpc.org/grant-and-funding-opportunities.

This month we are featuring information on:

• Whole Kids Foundation U.S. School Garden Grant – Deadline: October 15, 2018
• Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF Ohio) – Deadline: November 15, 2018

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. 

MVRPC Shares Our Expertise with National, State, and Local Audiences
MVRPC staff attended the Consortium for Scenario Planning Conference, Ohio Geographic Information System (GIS) conference, and Montgomery County Infant Mortality conference to speak about our policies, projects, and programs, on the subject of scenario planning, GIS, and equity.

This year’s Infant Mortality Conference hosted by Public Health – Dayton Montgomery County on Friday, September 28, 2018 at Sinclair Community College was especially beneficial and we were proud to be part of it.  Attended by more than 300 health industry professionals from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, the conference involved day-long conversations centered around the issue of, and the racial disparities on, infant mortality in the Region. MVRPC had the honor to participate in the “Health in All Policies” panel discussion and provided insights on the issue of health inequity in the area. “Health in All Policies” is a national initiative calling for a collaborative approach to integrate and articulate health considerations into policymaking across sectors to improve the health of all communities and people.  More information is available at https://www.apha.org/topics-and-issues/health-in-all-policies.

Vanpooling Option Presented to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
MVRPC staff members, along with representatives from Commute with Enterprise, were at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) on September 25 and October 2, 2018, discussing vanpooling options with employees who travel more than 25 miles one-way. WPAFB is the state’s largest single-site employer with over 27,000 people working on base which results in rush hour traffic congestion and on-going parking issues. Carpooling or vanpooling to work helps mitigate those issues. Working through WPAFB’s Human Resources Department, staff hopes to add more vanpools to the current fleet. MVRPC sponsors the RIDESHARE Program which helps match commuters with others who live nearby and are commuting the same way. MVRPC offers a $500 per month subsidy to help offset the cost of renting a commuter van from Enterprise. The rental rate includes vehicle maintenance, insurance, and a loaner vehicle, if needed. If there are any companies in your area that have parking issues or whose employees have limited transportation options, please contact the RIDESHARE Program at 937.223.SAVE or 1.800.743.SAVE and an MVRPC representative would be happy to assist.

Upcoming MVRPC Meetings 

10/08/18 - All Day             Office Closed for Holiday
10/18/18 - 9:30 a.m.         Technical Advisory Committee, MVRPC, 10 N. Ludlow St. Ste 700, Dayton, OH
11/01/18 - 8:30 a.m.         Executive Committee: Dayton Realtors, 1515 S. Main St., Dayton, OH
11/01/18 - 9:00 a.m.         Board of Directors: Dayton Realtors, 1515 S. Main St., Dayton, OH

Download the October 2018 Executive Director's Update PDF