TRAC Schedule
The Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) will accept 2016 funding applications June 1 through June 30, 2016. The online application will be available at the TRAC website (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/trac/Pages/Default.aspx). Realizing the importance of transportation investments and mindful of maximizing the limited amount of transportation dollars available versus the potential project needs, TRAC will consider projects that meet one of the following criteria:

• The project is an existing TRAC funded project (Tier I, II or III) and additional funds are needed to advance the project to the next stage of development.
• A new project with construction cost above $12M that demonstrates significant impact to jobs, regional economic impact and has significant non-ODOT funding commitments. 

Extra consideration will be given to projects with non-ODOT funding commitments in the amount of 30% or greater of the total project cost. 

See:  http://www.mvrpc.org/transportation/transportation-financing/transportation-review-advisory-council-trac for details.

MVRPC Releases “Street Smart” Billboards and Transit Advertisements

In response to the alarming rate of pedestrian related crashes in 2016 throughout Ohio, the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission has contracted with Key Ads and Commuter Advertising to display Street Smart advertisements on billboards and transit coaches in June, 2016. These compelling visual ads are designed to remind motorists and pedestrians what they must do to be “street smart” and safe. The ads are located along arterial roadways in the Miami Valley that have higher vehicle, transit, and pedestrian traffic. The ads were first developed in the Washington, D.C. Metro area and are aimed at motorists and pedestrians alike. 

Since every trip begins or ends with walking, it is important to everyone to be street smart and safe at all times. The MVRPC website (http://www.mvrpc.org/street-smart) includes the following reminders:

• If there is a sidewalk, use it. If you must walk in the street, walk on the left FACING TRAFFIC.
• Wear light-colored or reflective clothing at night, or at dawn or dusk.
• If you regularly walk or jog at night, consider wearing lights. Or just carry a flashlight.
• If there is a crosswalk, use it. 
• Even if it is your turn to cross at a light, make eye contact with any approaching vehicles.
• Don’t walk distracted; look up from your phone when crossing a street, or better still, put it away entirely when walking.
• Remember, driving under the influence can be fatal. So can walking under the influence.

Grants & Funding Resources
On a monthly basis, MVRPC is highlighting several funding opportunities that could benefit communities in the Region. We include a description, contact information and program links on mvrpc.org.  We have also listed other valuable resources for finding funding opportunities.  If you need assistance with your grant pursuit or need further grant research, contact Lynn Zuch at 937-223-6323 or lzuch@mvrpc.org.

See more at: http://www.mvrpc.org/our-vision/planning-services/grant-and-funding-opportunites

This month, we are featuring information on:

• National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grant Program.  The Our Town grant program supports creative placemaking projects that help to transform communities into lively, beautiful, and resilient places with the arts at their core. Creative placemaking is when artists, arts organizations, and community development practitioners deliberately integrate arts and culture into community revitalization work - placing arts at the table with land-use, transportation, economic development, education, housing, infrastructure, and public safety strategies. This funding supports local efforts to enhance quality of life and opportunity for existing residents, increase creative activity, and create a distinct sense of place.  Deadline: September 12, 2016.

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Department of North American Wetlands Conservation Act. The U.S. Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds. Deadlines:July 14 and November 3, 2016.

Upcoming MVRPC Meetings:
06/21/16    10:30 a.m. Regional Bikeways Map Committee - 10 N. Ludlow St., Dayton, Ohio
08/04/16     8:30 a.m.  Executive Committee - 1515 S. Main St., Dayton, Ohio
08/04/16     9:00 a.m. Board of Directors – 1515 S. Main St., Dayton, Ohio

** JUNE TAC AND JULY BOARD MEETINGS ARE CANCELLED **

June 2016 Executive Director's Update PDF available for download.