The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission is committed to providing a strong array of imperative and innovative benefits for our member governments.
MORPC has designed these resources to best fit our members regardless of their size or type of government. Our member governments receive exclusive access to advisory services, grants, other financial resources, GIS services, a local government summer internship program, and more.
Members, committee members and employees of MORPC are subject to the Ohio Ethics Law and related statutes. It is necessary for members, employees and committee members to be aware of and abide by the prescribed code outlined in Resolution 45-94, which is listed below.
By Section
MORPC makes it a priority to meet with every member government to stay abreast of their unique issues. We encourage open dialogue to ensure we are responsive to each community’s challenges, priorities, and opportunities.
Our executive director and membership services officer travel to each member’s community to make it as convenient as possible for the member to participate. While the appointment is set with the active commission member representatives, the members have flexibility to invite additional local staff or elected officials to join in the meeting and share their ideas or concerns.
At the meeting, MORPC staff members are given the opportunity to see the progress taking place in each community and adjust the topics of the agenda accordingly. After the meeting, MORPC prepares a summary of the discussion to share with its leadership and pursues follow-up items.
MORPC finds these meetings to be critical in ensuring that members’ priorities are incorporated into the services provided. These visits provide a forum to exchange ideas and strengthen relationships.
Information-sharing among local governments is crucial to the success of any planning or development initiative. In addition to the informal contact made by local planners and developers at meetings and events, there are a number of formally organized groups that meet on a regular basis to discuss issues and developments affecting a particular area.
Among these are the quarterly regional collaboration meetings, where MORPC convenes local governments to work collaboratively on short- and long-range community planning. Members can choose to attend multiple meetings.
Local governments and public service professionals in transportation, infrastructure, land use, economic development, and sustainability gather to provide updates on planning matters. The meetings are typically held at different host sites.
Grant Finder Service
MORPC provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for each member government to be able to access a Grant Finder service, which tracks over 10,000 grants. Grant Finder is a real-time, online, searchable database of 60 billion grants from federal, state, foundations, and corporate grants available to local governments and their community partners.
The service allows a representative to search the site with filters, dates, and links to application information, as well as a system to receive updates and weekly alerts on specific categories of grants.
MORPC pays for each member to have one representative access the service. Contact MORPC Membership Services Officer Eileen Leuby (eleuby@morpc.org) to add or delete a representative.
Additional services such as grant writing and grant management are also available through this provider for a fee. Contact Alma Catic acatic@lexipol.com
Senior Grant Consultant at Lexipol 469-553-0633 for pricing on the additional services.
DRIVE INVESTMENT NEWSLETTER
MORPC provides a monthly Drive Investment newsletter containing current grants and economic development news. Click here to subscribe.
MORPC provides each member with a general membership in the Council of Development Finance Agencies. CDFA is a financial service agency that provides expertise in public and private finance options. It was founded to strengthen state and local development finance agencies, and to stimulate job creation and economic growth through the use of tax-exempt and other public-private partnership finance programs.
CDFA provides many different ways to assist the development finance industry including, but not limited to, education, advocacy, research, resources, and networking. Each MORPC member government is able to designate a representative to receive updates and alerts on their programs.
MORPC monitors issues and advocates on behalf of its members to the legislative and executive branches of government at both the state and federal levels of government. Members receive regular updates on these advocacy efforts in both written and verbal formats.
MORPC is also a member of associations and coalitions comprised of like-minded organizations. These include the Columbus Region Coalition, the Ohio Association of Regional Councils, and the National Association of Regional Councils, among others.
Our policy positions are guided by the agency’s Regional Policy Roundtable committee. For more information, visit our Government Affairs page.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) play an important role in the work of local governments. MORPC’s data & mapping staff specializes in the sharing and consumption of spatial data using commercial and open-source GIS.
These services to members include providing data based on demographics of the governing body’s area, zoning maps, and other specific tasks using MORPC’s GIS software.
Our member governments are able to request eight hours worth of data and mapping services by contacting dataandmaps@morpc.org.
MORPC’s annual salary survey consists of data from our member governments on various positions and descriptions. Wage and salary surveys provide a valuable tool for use in determining how organizations’ compensation structure relates to those in a given area.
Current and past surveys are available here.
MORPC provides its members with the opportunity to secure talented college students for summer internships. Our members gain a fresh perspective from advanced students to complete tasks and projects while simultaneously providing the students with valuable work experience. MORPC member governments are eligible to participate as hosts. Hosts pay MORPC a $675 program fee per intern which covers training, mentors and special forums to supplement the intern’s experience.
For more information and to request an intern, go to www.morpc.org/internship
MORPC has formed education partnerships to encourage public sector service professionals to obtain additional degrees and build competencies.
CAPITAL UNIVERSITY
MORPC has partnered with Capital University to offer discounts for both current MORPC-member government employees in graduate programs and their dependent children in undergraduate programs. This applies to online and on-site coursework.
Employees can receive a $5,250 discount per calendar year for 3 years in Capital’s MBA Cohort, following a set schedule, and a 15% discount on all other graduate level programs, including the MAEd, MSW, and MBA should the student not follow the cohort model. These discounts exclude the Law School, Conservatory of Music, and Trinity Lutheran Seminary in addition to the MSN program as Capital is currently not accepting applications.
Dependent children of member government employees can receive an additional $1,500 scholarship per academic year when attending the university as full-time students, in addition to the Main Street Scholarship, which is a $20,000 award renewable for up to 4 years that can be combined with additional scholarships. All undergraduate programs at Capital University are considered eligible for this benefit.
If any high school students are interested in the Main Street Scholarship + $1500 Partnership Scholarship and would like to schedule a campus visit, they can do so here: https://apply.capital.edu/portal/individual-visits
Those interested in applying can review the partner flyer or contact Dr. Mary Beth Bertrand, Director of Professional Studies and Executive Education, at 832.350.6737 or mbertrand3@capital.edu for more information.
MBA Virtual Sessions – $5250/calendar year (when following the cohort schedule) or a 15% discount
02/10/2026 12pm – Master of Business Administration Virtual Information Session
03/17/2026 12pm – Master of Business Administration Virtual Information Session
04/21/2026 12pm – Master of Business Administration Virtual Information Session
Master of Social Work Virtual Sessions – 15% discount
01/21/2026 6pm – Master of Social Work Virtual Information Session
03/04/2026 6pm – Master of Social Work Virtual Information Session
04/22/2026 6pm – Master of Social Work Virtual Information Session
Counselor Education Virtual Session – 15% discount
02/05/2026 6pm – Counselor Education Info Session
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Virtual Sessions
02/10/2026 6pm – ABSN Info Session
04/15/2026 12pm – ABSN Info Session
COLUMBUS COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN (CCAD)
MORPC-member government employees can receive a $15,300 discount to complete classes part-time online and on-site over the course of 6 semesters, which equates to 3 calendar years of education. Eligible programs include the MPS in UX Design, which is designing with the user in mind, and MPS in Retail Design. Students must follow a set schedule by taking two classes per semester in order to maximize tuition benefits.
Those interested can review the partner flyer or contact Chris Mundell, Vice President for Institutional Engagement, at 614.222.4015 or cmundell@ccad.edu for more information.
COLUMBUS STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
IT WORKFORCE CERTIFICATES
CSCC offers non-credit IT workforce certificates in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Data Analytics.
Artificial Intelligence webpage | Artificial Intelligence PDF flyer
Cybersecurity webpage | Cybersecurity PDF flyer
Data Analytics webpage | Data Analytics PDF flyer
Certificate programs include multiple courses delivered through a mix of online coursework and virtual, real-time instruction. The certificate programs are designed for working adults with some background in informational technology. Individuals looking to reskill or upskill in IT-related fields can also enroll in the certificate programs.
Each certificate program is designed to prepare individuals for in-demand jobs by helping them build relevant, employer-desired skills.
These programs are offered as non-credit training programs. They build job-ready skills but do not grant college credit. The next cohorts will be Feb./Mar./Apr.
For more information, including tuition cost, visit cscc.edu/it-workforce or email acceleratedtraining@cscc.edu
DENISON EDGE
MORPC Member Employee’s are eligible to utilize a discount to participate in Denison Edge programs. It is an extension of Denison University’s career center, located in downtown Columbus, offering a series of career-relevant programs and a collaborative learning environment for lifelong learners to advance with highly competitive skill sets. Denison Edge bridges the gap between higher education and industry so students, employers, and employees can deepen career skills, cultivate experiences, and build connections.
To browse available programs and for more information on Denison Edge, please visit edge.denison.edu. Use promo code DE25 for 25% off any program!
FRANKLIN UNIVERSITY
Franklin University offers in-demand programs including associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, that enable learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Take advantage of the Franklin University/MORPC partnership benefits that include a 20% Tuition Discount for all Undergraduate programs, a 20% Tuition Discount for all Graduate programs, a 10% Tuition Discount for all Doctoral programs, and Free Textbooks. Visit https://www.franklin.edu/partner/morpc to apply!
January 15th at 12:00pm EST for a virtual 30-minute information session. Scan QR code to register! Reach out to partners@franklin.edu for questions.
More information on the partnership is available in this one-page fact sheet or by going to franklin.edu/MORPC. Those interested can contact Abigail Warfel, Partnership Account Manager, at 614.947.6288 or abigail.warfel@franklin.edu.
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY – JOHN GLENN COLLEGE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
MORPC has partnered with the John Glenn College at OSU to offer a 20% discount on the Management Advancement for the Public Service (MAPS) courses.
These courses provide professional training in leadership, personal development, diversity and inclusion, program management, and more. These short, intensive classes are offered online or on campus. They are specifically designed for public and nonprofit employees at all career levels.
To register for a course, see the course description calendar. At payment, enter discount code MORPC26 to receive the MORPC partner price of $250 per course – about a 20% savings. More information on MAPS is available here.
OHIO UNIVERSITY – VOINOVICH SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC SERVICE
MORPC has partnered with OU to encourage more public-sector professionals to pursue a graduate degree, while also providing students with practical experience in local government. Employees who work for a MORPC-member government are eligible to receive 15% off tuition when pursuing eligible programs, including the Executive Master of Public Administration (MPA) and the Masters in Sustainability, Security, and Resilience and /or Certificate programs.
ADDITIONAL OHIO ONLINE Master degree and certificate programs are available and offer a incentive 15% scholarship on eligible programs and a 10% scholarship on eligible undergraduate degree and certificate programs through the partnership program. To search eligible programs and enroll, please visit the OHIO Online Incentive Scholarships webpage for more information. For more information or to enroll go to www.ohio.edu/online/scholarships. Those interested can contact Alison Nesbitt, Partnership Manager for OHIO Online at Email: nesbitta@ohio.edu or 740-593-1491.
This incentive scholarship can be applied to instructional, general, program, and non-resident fees for enrolled courses, but it does not apply to any credits taken at the Athens or regional campuses. Full- and part-time active MORPC-member government employees have access to these discounts in addition to a $10,000 discount towards the College of Business Online MBA and all online MBA concentration programs during the Spring 2025 semester.
THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY AT OHIO UNIVERSITY, as part of the Ohio Certified Public Manager Program. This 12-day, once-per-month set of workshops at the Dublin campus are for emerging and mid-level employees in public service who want to build their leadership skills. Learn more and register here.
OU GOVERNING ESSENTIALS FOR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS is an introductory course promoting high level understanding of topics essential to effected elected or appointed service at the municipal, township and county level. Designed with newly elected officials in mind, the course is also appropriate for more experienced officials seeking a refresher, as well as individuals appointed to local government roles and paid staff working in local government.
The curriculum is delivered by both seasoned practitioners and academic experts. Offered in a hybrid format (in-person and virtual), the program is organized to fit the schedules of busy participants. Program topics include an introduction to governance, economic development, infrastructure, finance, and safety and communications.
The $800 registration fee includes all workshops, an economic development field trip, meals and parking for in-person workshops. In-person workshops are hosted in Central Ohio.
Registration for the 2026 program opens in January 2026. The 2026 field trip will be to the Transportation Research Center and the Automotive and Mobility Innovation Center in Marysville.
For more information, visit https://www.ohio.edu/voinovich-school/academy/training#upcoming. Governing Essentials is offered by the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service at Ohio University.
OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY
MORPC has partnered with Otterbein University to offer an estimated $20,000 award to the dependent children of MORPC-member government employees as well as member employees at the undergraduate level. In addition, MORPC member employees and spouses/domestic partners can receive a 15% discount on the undergraduate and graduate credit hour rate as part-time undergraduate and graduate students in some programs.
The Otterbein Educational Advantage Scholarship for Dependent Children of MORPC Member Employees is available to any undergraduate who starts at Otterbein prior to the age of 24 while still an IRS dependent and who has not completed a Bachelor’s degree. Those already enrolled at Otterbein are not eligible. Those interested can contact Phanawn Bailey, Advantage Partnership Admission Coordinator, at 614.823.1355 or bailey1@otterbein.edu.
The Coalition for the Common Good Educational Advantage Partnership for MORPC Member Employees and Spouse/Domestic Partners is designed to support employees and spouse/domestic partners enrolling as part-time undergraduate or graduate students. The 15% discount applies to any part-time undergraduate student and part-time graduate students enrolled in Coalition for the Common Good graduate programs. Those interested can contact Bridget Newell, Associate Provost for Graduate Studies, at 614.823.1735 or bnewell@otterbein.edu
Coalition for the Common Good Advantage Partnership programs are available for MORPC Member Employees and Spouse/Domestic Partners:
All the Antioch University Graduate Programs: https://www.antioch.edu/academics/program-finder/
Otterbein University Master of Science in Athletic Training: https://www.otterbein.edu/gradschool/athletic-training/
Otterbein University Master of Arts in Teaching: https://www.otterbein.edu/programs/master-of-arts-in-teaching/
Otterbein University Graduate Nursing programs, excluding CRNA: https://www.otterbein.edu/gradschool/nursing/
YWCA DISCOUNTED TRAININGS
MORPC is a proud partner of the YWCA Columbus. As a member benefit, MORPC members can engage in discounted training facilitated by the YWCA. Members can receive 10% off the total cost of their first service contract for the calendar year. For more information, please contact Ralonda Hampton, MORPC’s Senior Director of Communications & Engagement, at 614.233.4157 or rhampton@morpc.org.
For more information on any of the above, please contact Eileen Leuby, MORPC, Membership Services Officer, 614-233-4135 or eleuby@morpc.org.
HBCU Connect
MORPC has partnered with HBCU Connect, the world’s largest organization of Historically Black College & University students and alumni. The online platform operates as an access point for employers to connect with over 1 million members through their career portal.
MORPC is proud to offer a new member benefit for organizations to post their mid- to executive level hard to fill niche positions at no additional cost.
Please complete the job posting promotion submission form HERE to submit your career openings.
If you have any questions or issues with the form, please email memberjobs@morpc.org.
As a result of the significant growth in rural communities, MORPC has established a rural services plan to address the unique needs of these members.
MORPC can serve rural communities by encouraging collaborative planning efforts to help develop inclusive, local strategy-building processes to build on community strengths and address challenges. By bringing subject matter experts into discussions and forums, MORPC provides valuable information and resources for rural communities to make informative decisions.
MORPC provides each member with a detailed report on the value of their individual membership on a calendar-year basis. These reports are prepared in the fall and distributed in time for consideration during our members’ budgeting process.
The report highlights the estimated value of the services provided through the calendar year. A return on investment shows the value provided to the member organization for every dollar invested in MORPC.
MORPC is committed to providing on-going value to each member while also maintaining prudent fiduciary responsibilities to keep dues affordable and sustainable.