Upgraded Ridematching Software for MVRPC's RIDESHARE Program
MVRPC’s RIDESHARE Program is available to anyone who lives, works, or attends college in Montgomery, Greene, Miami, Darke, Preble, or Clinton County. This free program matches those who want to carpool, vanpool, or bike together to work or college. Miami Valley jurisdictions, local businesses and colleges are encouraged to promote this service to their residents, employees, and students. Carpooling, vanpooling or biking to your destination helps reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, which benefits everyone. A new, mobile-friendly website, GohioCommute.org with upgraded ridematching software, makes it easier for others to connect and commute together.
If you would like information about the program to distribute at your office, at your events, to your students/faculty/staff, or add to your newsletters, please email rideshare@mvrpc.org or call 937.223.SAVE. Help MVRPC spread the word about Gohio Commute - A Smarter Way.
Miami Valley Equity Regional Profile
MVRPC published the Miami Valley Equity Regional Profile in July 2017. A print version and a dynamic, web-based profile are available at www.mvrpc.org/miami-valley-equity-regional-profile.
Developed in partnership with nationally recognized Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at the Ohio State University, this profile examines the historical effects on regional equity due to redlining and other negative forces. Equity is defined by the degree of access to all that our residents need in life such as housing, transportation, jobs, and education. The equity profile provides an analysis at regional and sub-regional levels of historical trends from 1980 to 2010 and a comprehensive look at the year 2014 with interactive maps. A regional discussion on why some communities are disadvantaged from fully participating in the regional economy is essential to building a more resilient and sustainable Region. Inequity, as evaluated based upon access to opportunity, affects our Region’s ability to keep and attract people and jobs. Our informed choices about future transportation and development projects will help expand access to opportunity to everyone throughout our Region. A board presentation will be made in October and subsequent community round tables held about the equity profile.
Federal Certification Review of MVRPC Planning process held August 29th & 30th
Your MVRPC staff hosted the federal review team during this year’s review of our planning process. The team included U.S. Department of Transportation employees from FHWA – Ohio Division in Columbus and FTA – Region 5 from Chicago. The first day also involved our Board of Directors, county transit providers, and ODOT central office and district personnel. After a long first day of review in our Lake conference room, the second day was comprised of a field trip including a walking and bus tour generously provided by RTA, Bike Miami Valley, and ODOT District 7. We visited RTA’s Link Bike Shop and downtown transit center, RTA’s Brown Street pole and wire reconstruction, I -75 Downtown Dayton section, Wright State University Way, and RTA’s Pentagon transit shelters. Our federal reviewers were highly complimentary of our board’s involvement and our outstanding partnerships in the planning process. The staff did a great job in representing the agency and Region and we look forward to receiving a draft document from the review team presenting their thoughts on MVRPC’s planning process this fall.
Grants & Funding Resources
On a monthly basis, MVRPC highlights new funding opportunities on our website at www.mvrpc.org/grant-and-funding-opportunities. These grant and funding opportunities were found through our use of Grantfinder software. A description, contact information and program links are included on these new sources. In addition, the website includes other valuable resources for your funding pursuits.
This month we are featuring information on:
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Compass Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Program – Deadline: September 28, 2017.
- U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Safe Places to Play– Deadline: a Letter of Intent is due by September 29, 2017 and the application is due October 6, 2017.
If you need assistance with your grant pursuit or need further research, contact Lynn Zuch, Principal Planner, at 937.223.6323 or lzuch@mvrpc.org
Draft 2050 Regional Socio-Economic Workshop
Staff will be conducting two workshops to review year 2050 Socio-Economic Data at MVRPC, 10 N. Ludlow, Suite 700, on September 13 and September 19, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This is your opportunity to provide input on population, housing, and employment forecasts used in determining future allocation of projects and funding across the Miami Valley and Ohio.
Meet YOUR MVRPC staff member: Kjirsten Frank Hoppe
Growing up in Kettering, Ohio, Kjirsten Frank Hoppe, was an avid reader. That love of reading ended up leading her into the regional planning field. After graduating from Chaminade Julienne High School, she attended Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) graduating with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 1998. While attending MU, she read a book about planning programs that was in her advisor’s office. Based on what she read, she continued her education, receiving a Master’s in Planning & Development Studies from the University of Southern California in 2005. She received her AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification in 2006 and moved back to the Miami Valley to join MVRPC in 2007 as a Regional Planner. Kjirsten was recently promoted to Senior Planner. Kjirsten currently works on active transportation projects which focus on walking, biking, transit, and safe routes to school initiatives, plus she’s involved in human services transportation coordination which helps senior citizens and those with disabilities stay mobile. Kjirsten has been a valuable asset to MVRPC as she recently served as the “bridge” between Bob Steinbach’s departure and the hiring of Kim Lahman, MVRPC’s new Director of Sustainable Solutions and Transportation Alternatives. Kjirsten said she enjoys her job and particularly likes how she can make a difference in someone’s ability to get around town. Kjirsten and her husband, Will, welcomed their first child last year. Calvin Tyrone Hoppe was born October 13, 2016. Since then, her “free time” is almost non-existent, but when she can, she enjoys volunteering with Dayton Metro Library Foundation Board, the Gem City Ballet Board, the Dayton Ballet Barre, and she is also a member of the Miami Valley Section of American Planning Association (Ohio Chapter). Recently, she and her family, including 3 cats – Siegfried, Lula and Gabby - moved into a larger house in the Grafton Hill neighborhood in Dayton. Kjirsten still enjoys reading, but now she has the pleasure of reading bedtime stories to her son.
Upcoming MVRPC Meetings:
09/13/17 9:00 a.m. 2050 Regional Socio-Economic Workshop – 10 N. Ludlow St., Suite 700, Dayton, Ohio
09/19/17 9:00 a.m. 2050 Regional Socio-Economic Workshop – 10 N. Ludlow St., Suite 700, Dayton, Ohio
09/21/17 9:30 a.m. Technical Advisory Committee – 10 N. Ludlow St., Suite 700, Dayton, Ohio
09/22/17 9:00 a.m. Regional Bikeway Committee Mtg. - 245 James Bohanan Dr. Vandalia, Ohio
10/05/17 8:30 a.m. Executive Committee – 1515 S. Main St., Dayton, Ohio
10/05/17 9:00 a.m. Board of Directors – 1515 S. Main St., Dayton, Ohio
September 2017 Executive Director's Update available for download.