MORPC Strengthens Rural Partnerships in Transportation to Support Communities
Planning, technical assistance, and grant writing are just some of the key benefits enjoyed by rural communities as part of membership with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. As the region grows, it’s critical that rural communities have access to resources and services to manage their growth. MORPC is committed to providing solutions and identifying opportunities for communities to plan for a resilient and sustainable future.
MORPC continues to partner with seven counties in the rural areas of the region to provide transportation planning products and enhanced services with the Central Ohio Rural Planning Organization (CORPO). The seven counties include Fairfield, Knox, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway, and Union. CORPO is staffed by MORPC and guided by the CORPO committee and county-level subcommittees of elected and local officials.
“MORPC supports rural communities across Central Ohio as partners. By collaborating with local leaders, our team helps plan for and invest in infrastructure and programs to enhance quality of life and prepare for new business investments and jobs at the same time. MORPC’s work is grounded in supporting local priorities and connecting communities to resources, data, and their neighbors, which helps the whole region better navigate growth.”
On Monday, November 3, the CORPO Board approved over $2.4 million in funds for eight transportation projects through the CORPO Dedicated Funds program, for state fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This program supports transportation improvement projects from eligible local public agencies within CORPO’s member counties. The projects awarded in this round span five of the seven CORPO counties and include bridge reconstruction, resurfacing, bike enhancements and pedestrian improvements. Below, is the list of projects receiving funding:
- City of Lancaster, Memorial Drive Pedestrian Improvements
- City of Mount Vernon, State Route 13 Intersection Improvements and Sidewalk Project
- City of Marion, Barks Road / State Route 423 Intersection U-Turn
- City of Marysville, East 5th Street Improvements
- Madison County Engineer’s Office, MAD-CR0117-01.95 over Spring Fork, Bridge Replacement
- Village of Centerburg, HOOT (Heart of Ohio Trail) Access and Connectivity Improvements
- Village of Fredericktown, Columbus Road Sidewalk Improvements
- Union County Engineer’s Office, UNI-CR1-3.26 (116115) (Resurfacing)
In Fairfield County, a former rural freeway (US33) located on Memorial Drive and Pierce Avenue will be redesigned to accommodate pedestrian activity created by the now fully developed commercial and residential neighborhoods surrounding this urban principal arterial. This project has received strong support in the community, reflecting shared enthusiasm for its impact.
In addition, this past June MORPC and CORPO applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for all program. This program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries.
“MORPC recently worked with all seven counties of the Central Ohio Rural Planning Organization (CORPO) to request $4.8 million in federal funding to enhance roadway safety for users across the rural areas of Central Ohio. The proposed initiative, Coalition for Integrated Road User Safety (CIRUS), will be a national model of rural transportation safety and will focus on road safety audits, evaluate advanced vehicle safety systems, and identify high-risk rural corridor.”
MORPC remains committed to supporting rural communities to prosper and thrive. By providing essential resources and technical expertise, MORPC will continue to invest in infrastructure and address the unique challenges through specialized programs and partnerships, such as…
- Transportation funding and planning: MORPC helps rural communities plan for and secure state and federal funding for transportation projects.
- Infrastructure development: The Competitive Advantage Projects (CAP) program helps communities leverage resources to build critical infrastructure, including transportation and utilities.
- Economic vitality: MORPC convenes forums that provide expertise and resources to help rural members stimulate their local economies and build a strong tax base.
- Community planning: MORPC provides resources and planning assistance to help rural communities develop strategies to address challenges and build on their strengths.
To learn more about CORPO and how MORPC assists rural communities, please visit Central Ohio Rural Planning Organization (CORPO).
