MOUNT VERNON — Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission representatives updated the county commissioners Thursday on how MORPC plans to help its 15-county region grow “better and smarter.”
MORPC projections show a population of 3.1 million in its region by 2050. For Knox County, the projection is 69,790.
During an April 2 visit, Joe Garrity, chief strategy officer, and Eileen Leuby, member services, reviewed the programs and benefits that MORPC offers its members.
Garrity said MORPC works through a strategic framework based on four pillars:
• Create an environment for prosperity.
• Drive investment to the region.
• Build value for its members.
• Pay it forward for the next generation.
Projects include two potential passenger rail routes: one with the Ohio Rail Development Commission that would connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati, the other with the city of Fort Wayne that would connect Chicago, Fort Wayne, Columbus, and Pittsburgh.
Garrity said both routes have moved to the second phase of the Federal Rail Administration’s quarter identification program.
“We’re going to put together a service development plan that will then allow us to look at how fast these routes could go and where the stations would be,” he told commissioners.
Garrity said passenger rail is a priority of President Trump’s administration. Additionally, a private-sector company, Bright Line, is also interested in potentially investing in the state of Ohio.
“I think, if there were no delays, things could be operational by the mid-2030s,” Garrity said.
The strategist said MORPC is exploring two options:
• Pre-existing freight rail.
• Private-sector Brightline.
Garrity said Brightline uses its own right-of-way and has used the median and roads to minimize going into farmland.
“They’ve done cases where they just went right through the middle of the highway,” he said.
Education, support, and advocacy services among MORPC benefits
The Central Ohio Rural Planning Organization, a state organization housed at MORPC, recently won a $4.8 million Safe Streets and Roads For All grant from the federal government. It will distribute the funds through MORPC’s Central Ohio Rural Planning Organization.
CORPO will distribute the funds to MORPC member communities.
Garrity said MORPC continues to build and improve trails across the region.
“Our state legislators are starting to look at trails as not just a recreational opportunity, but how they impact economically,” he told the commissioners.
In addition to transportation funding, MORPC offers planning, short-term staffing, and streamlined consultant services.
It also offers legislative advocacy services through the Columbus Region Coalition and the Central Ohio Defense Group.
“There are 8,000 defense-related jobs in the region. We want to support our men and women who served in the armed forces at the 121st Air Refueling Wing, and then also at the Defense Supply Center of Columbus,” Garrity said.
The goal is to create tools that make their lives easier and to protect unique community assets.
MORPC recently hired a strategist to evaluate potential repercussions should the movement to abolish property taxes succeed.
Leudy said that partnerships with nine higher-education institutions offer discounts to employees of member communities who want to earn degrees.
Two offer discounts to employees’ children. One has a benefit for spouses.
“We have a robust intern program. We place 50 interns all across our counties,” Leudy said. “They’re usually IT engineers, a lot of city regional planning.”
She said MORPC matched 20 percent of the interns with government jobs last year.
Legislative action
Commissioners’ legislative action on April 2 includes:
• Approving letters of support for the City of Mount Vernon’s brownfield grant applications for assessment activities at 311 S. Mechanic St., 321 and 401 S. Main St., 6 E. Chestnut St., and other unaddressed parcels.
• Awarding the bid for the county engineer’s roadside mowing program to Quick Mow Inc. for $131,658.03. County Administrator Jason Booth said that although Running G Farms had a lower bid of $107,730, after review and its past performance, the county elected to go with Quick Mow.
The commissioners also heard an update from Transit Director Bethany Celmar.
