Community, MVRPC shaping future together
Established in 1964, the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission promotes collaboration among communities, stakeholders and residents to advance regional priorities. MVRPC performs planning and research functions for our Region that ensure livable and equitable communities, clean air and water, robust roadway, transit, and active transportation options, and strategic community plans that chart the course for member communities and partners. We are thrilled that a recent partnership formed with Darke County will
expand our regional leadership.
In June, the Darke County Commissioners voted unanimously to join MVRPC. They also authorized the inclusion of the Village of Ansonia, the Village of Arcanum, the Village of Bradford, the City of Greenville, the Village of New Madison, the Village of Union City, the Village of Versailles, and the Village of Wayne Lakes in the partnership.
MVRPC’s planning support and technical expertise will assist Darke County and its communities with the creation of a comprehensive plan to include roadway, bike path, and sidewalk infrastructure.
MVRPC is also working in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to explore the creation of a Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) for Darke, Preble and Shelby Counties. As with Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) like MVRPC, RTPOs are led by policy and technical boards, prepare and adopt long range transportation plans, assemble transportation improvement programs, identify and track crash locations and fund projects to fix bottlenecks and high crash locations. Participants on RTPO committees will include representatives from ODOT, counties, cities, townships, villages, transit and mobility managers, transit agencies, park districts, cycling groups and other related interests within the three counties.
MVRPC staff has met with Preble County Commission, Darke County Commission, Darke County Economic Development, Shelby County Commission, and the City of Sidney. Thus far, all have been receptive to the plan and are waiting on the final details before committing. We are hopeful that the RTPO could begin as early as July 1, 2022.
In the Miami Valley, we know that our entire Region is interconnected. To truly thrive, planning for equity, livability, infrastructure, landuse, transportation alternatives and sustainability must be done in coordination with all of our communities. The role of the MVRPC is to collaborate with our Board members, community partners, federal and state colleagues, and local business leaders to continue “Shaping Our Region’s Future Together.”