2016 TRAC Project Selection Results
The Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) has completed its review of the CY 2016 TRAC projects submitted this year and has released their draft project scores.  This year, the Greene County US 35 Superstreet received the highest project score in Ohio.  The Montgomery County US 35 add lane project received a good review, but remains in the congested “middle of the pack” range of scores. 

While both are excellent projects, the Greene County project received the highest number of points and should advance to construction due to committed local and regional financial support.  Last year, for the first time ever, MVRPC and City of Beavercreek agreed to provide funding to remove the Shakertown intersection at US 35.  During this year’s funding solicitation cycle, it is anticipated that Greene County will request MVRPC-controlled STP funds for the Greene US 35 Superstreet at the Factory and Orchard intersections.  We anticipate that $4 to $5 million of the Region’s STP funding will be needed for construction of the Superstreet and Shakertown Road projects.  This is in addition to the $2.5M committed by Greene County, City of Beavercreek, and Beavercreek Township.    

We are currently exploring ways to expedite construction of the Montgomery County US 35 project.   No specific MVRPC funding request has been made for this project.  Much work is occurring behind the scenes to advance the Montgomery County US 35 project, too. 

Our work is not done yet!  The TRAC public hearing is on Thursday October 13, 2016, in Columbus at the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Central Office (Headquarters).  Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this important meeting. 

Air Quality Conformity
On Wednesday August 24, 2016, U.S. EPA issued a final rule revoking the 1997 annual PM 2.5 air quality standard effective October 24, 2016, including the transportation conformity requirement.  Notwithstanding more stringent standards, the Dayton-Springfield Region is currently in attainment/maintenance of all existing standards. Given the Region’s status, future updates of the Long Range Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) will not include a regional emissions analysis.

Miami Valley Cycling Summit
The upcoming 2017 Miami Valley Cycling Summit is less than one year away!  Mark your calendar --- save the date --- and join us for an exciting day of seminars as well as meeting other avid cyclists.  For more information about the event and to join the event mailing list, please go to the Cycling Summit Facebook page or contact Robin Gregory, rgregory@co.greene.oh.us.

Meet Your MVRPC Staff Member
Paul Arnold – Manager, Short Range Programs
As a detail-oriented person, Paul Arnold is the “go to” source for information about federally-funded transportation projects planned in the Miami Valley. Paul is very familiar with the Miami Valley Region since he grew up in Darke County (which he calls “God’s Country”) just outside of Greenville. 

Having always been fascinated by maps, after discovering his grandparent’s stash of National Geographic magazines as a child, he graduated from Greenville High School and explored his interest further at Bowling Green State University, where he majored in Geography / minored in Economics and Computer Science.  After graduating in 2000, he joined MVRPC in 2001 and worked on both land use and transportation planning projects. His interests have served him well since he oversees the solicitation process for locally-led transportation projects.  In that role, he coordinates closely with member jurisdictions to make sure their applications for federal funding meet strict criteria and that our Region’s allocation of funds is spent wisely. 

Paul owns a farm in Greenville where he, his wife, Erin, one cat and two horses enjoy the rural lifestyle he loved as a boy.  In his free time, he likes to shop for antiques, go to flea markets, and buy, restore, and sell vintage motorcycles. He and Erin are exploring the possibility of adopting a Doberman rescue to guard his piece of heaven in Darke County. 

Please join us in congratulating Paul Arnold on 15 years of service with MVRPC. 

Grants & Funding Resources
Each month, MVRPC highlights several grant funding opportunities, on the Executive Director’s Report and our website, which can benefit member communities. On the web, you will find a description, contact information and program links found in GrantFinder, a grant seeking tool leased by MVRPC and a key first step in attracting funding for local priorities. If you need assistance with your grant pursuit or need further grant research, contact Lynn Zuch, Research Associate, at 937-223-6323 or lzuch@mvrpc.org.  This month we are featuring the following grants:

• Federal Transit Administration and Smart Growth America’s Technical Assistance; Deadline – October 7, 2016
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Land and Water Conservation Fund; Deadline – November 15, 2016

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

Upcoming MVRPC Meetings: 
09/15/16     9:30 a.m.  Technical Advisory Committee – 10 N. Ludlow St., Suite 700, Dayton, Ohio

09/22/16     9:00 a.m.  Complete Streets for Local Jurisdictions – 10 N. Ludlow St., Suite 700, Dayton, Ohio

09/22/16   10:00 a.m.  I-75 Ribbon Cutting - Mont. Co. Admin. Bldg. 451 W. Third St., Dayton, Ohio

10/06/16     8:30 a.m.  Executive Committee  – 1515 S. Main St., Dayton, Ohio

10/06/16     9:00 a.m. Board of Directors – 1515 S. Main St., Dayton, Ohio

10/13/16     9:00 a.m. Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) – ODOT Central Office (Headquarters), 1980 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH, 43223                   

September 2016 Executive Director's Update PDF available for download