Current News & Events

MORPC and eight Central Ohio local governments and public education service providers have received funding from the Ohio Local Government Innovation Fund (LGIF) to begin a project that could save partners 30% or more on technology costs.

The goal of the Central Ohio Public Sector IT Partnership is to eventually consolidate or share some technology costs. The LGIF is providing $93,000 for the group to conduct a comprehensive assessment of current members’ information technology resources from hardware and software to staffing.

Partners include MORPC, the Metropolitan Education Council, City of Dublin, City of Grandview Heights, City of Upper Arlington, City of Westerville, Prairie Township, the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District, and the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio.

"One of the hallmarks of this project is that you have public education and local governments working together," said William Murdock, MORPC Executive Director. "Public entities face many funding challenges and we choose to face those challenges in large part by working smarter and through collaboration."

An assessment and planning process will lead to future formal collaborations. The study will take a comprehensive look at IT operations within each of the nine partner entities and provide data that will guide a project plan. Results of the assessment will be used to validate available capacities and create a roadmap for logical public partnerships.

MORPC has partnered with the City of Marysville to provide down payment assistance funds to homebuyers through a Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) grant from the Ohio Development Services Agency. Funds are available to homebuyers who are purchasing a home within the Marysville city limits. The home purchase price cannot exceed $144,000 and the household must meet income guidelines.

Up to $35,000 of the CHIP grant has been set aside for major home rehabilitation, such as roof replacement, siding, windows, heating systems, weatherization, and electrical, structural and lead-based paint hazards. This loan is made at zero percent interest and requires no monthly payments. Grant funds are also available for minor home repair services where no repayment is required.

Visit MORPC's CHIP webpage or call Anne Arnott at 1-800-886-6772 for more information on qualifications for the program or to apply.

Press Release

MORPC has released its Top 40 Regional High-Crash Intersections list for the years 2009-2011. The top 40 intersections are ranked based on a formula that considers number of crashes, traffic volume and severity. The top ten intersections include:

1. Cleveland Avenue @ Morse Road
2. W Broad Street/US 40 @ N Wilson Road
3. Innis Road @ Westerville Road/SR 3
4. Cleveland Avenue @ Oakland Park
5. E Dublin Granville Road/SR 161 @ Maple Canyon Drive
6. Morse Road @ Westerville Road/SR 3
7. S Hamilton Road/SR 317@ E Livingston Avenue
8. E Broad Street/SR 16 @ Waggoner Road
9. E Broad Street/SR 16 @ James Road
10. S Central Avenue/Harrisburg Pike @ W Mound Street

Press Release

In order to maintain strong collaboration on regional issues, MORPC’s members are always seeking to grow the organization. In May, Union County was approved as MORPC’s newest member.

“We are excited about being the newest member of MORPC," said Charles Hall, Union County Commissioner. "The Central Ohio region is one of the most vibrant regions in the Midwest. We look forward to establishing relationships with other Central Ohio local governments and to helping move our region forward.”

The MORPC Board meets 11 times each year to discuss important regional issues, guide the direction of MORPC’s work, network with local leaders to discuss common problems, create solutions to shared regional challenges and provide input on funding decisions. Additional benefits of serving on MORPC’s Commission include grants and funding opportunities, educational forums, training and seminars, technical assistance, data and policy development.

Union County membership will provide the opportunity for three members of the Union County Board of Commissioners to serve as voting members or the Commissioners may appoint up to three members to serve on their behalf at the MORPC Commission meetings.

“We are delighted to have Union County joining MORPC,” said William Murdock, MORPC Executive Director. “They are a critical community in our region and will enrich the dialogue on several key regional issues including growth, development and transportation."

Liberty Street will close to thru traffic between South Front and Short streets for the OARS Deep Sewer Tunnel project. Construction will begin this month and is expected to last around 160 days.

The MORPC offices and parking lot will remain open to the public via South Front Street to Liberty Street. Maps, directions and other information regarding the project will be posted as they become available at www.morpc.org, and on the MORPC Facebook Page, MORPC Twitter and MORPC Google+ Page.