Brian O. Martin Recognized with Walter Scheiber Leadership Award |
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On June 16, 2021, the National Association of Regional Councils recognized Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Brian O. Martin, AICP with the Walter Scheiber Leadership Award.
The Walter Scheiber Leadership Award recognizes significant impacts a regional council executive director has made at the local, state, and national levels.
Under Mr. Martin’s leadership, MVRPC has taken bold steps to advance equity and to make a commitment to diversity a normal part of how the agency conducts all business. This began long before the events of 2020 which amplified interest in how systemic racism pervades all aspects of our communities.
During the virtual award presentation, Brian O. Martin stated, “Tough issues do not get resolved by themselves. When MVRPC completed the Equity Regional Profile with the OSU Kirwan Institute in 2017, our Region’s disparities in Equity and Access to Opportunity were glaring.” Mr. Martin went on to say, “It was quite clear this is a regional matter because over time, people were moving from the central communities to newer, outer communities. Our maps show this migration and the lasting effects that restrict access to opportunity to such things like health, education, transportation, housing and employment.” Mr. Martin thanked his wife, their children and family, the MVRPC Board of Directors, MVRPC's community partners, and co-workers for their hard work, support and encouragement.
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MVRPC is proud to announce that at the June Darke County Commissioners meeting, Economic Development Director Mike Bowers addressed the Board regarding the need for a partnership with Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission. Mr. Bowers stated that the partnership would benefit not only the County, but help the City of Greenville and the villages of Darke County. The ultimate goal is that the planning support from MVRPC will allow Darke County to create a comprehensive plan to include roadway, bike path, and sidewalk infrastructure.
The Darke County Commissioners voted unanimously to partner with MVRPC and approved securing the partnership through 2024, for Darke County and the following jurisdictions: City of Greenville, Ansonia, Arcanum, New Madison, Union City, Versailles, Bradford and Wayne Lakes.
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Environmental Justice Academy |
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced an agreement with Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission to co-sponsor the Miami Valley Regional Environmental Justice Academy in Dayton, Ohio.
The EJ Academy is a training program developed for emerging community, non-profit, and environmental leaders to help cultivate skills to identify and address environmental challenges in their communities. Slated to start later this year, it consists of a nine-month program of courses, assignments, and projects. This is the inaugural academy co-sponsored by EPA in Ohio. EPA and MVRPC plan to run the EJ Academy virtually at first and transition to on-site in Dayton, Ohio, once feasible.
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Completion of New Deeds Point Pedestrian Bridge |
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Brian O. Martin was honored to represent MVRPC during the recent ribbon cutting for the new Deeds Point Pedestrian Bridge. MVRPC was part of the partnership to secure funding for the bridge which is instrumental in providing pedestrians and cyclists easy access, connecting Deeds Point MetroPark to downtown Dayton and other regional assets, such as RiverScape, Island and Wegerzyn Gardens MetroParks, Kettering Fields, Triangle Park, DeWeese Park, and the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. The bridge also connects the Stillwater and the North Great Miami trails to the Mad River, South Great Miami and the Wolf Creek trails which are part of the region’s network of more than 350 miles of trail, the nation’s largest paved trail network.
The bridge is part of the historic Horace Huffman Loop and affords some of the most striking skyline and river views anywhere along the 8-mile loop.
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Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign to Replant Trees
Lost During Memorial Day 2019 Tornadoes
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The Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign, led by RETREET, is a multi-year disaster recovery effort to heal the landscape devastated by the Memorial Day 2019 tornadoes. MVRPC is leading the local administration for this project.
Please help us spread the word that owners of residential properties in the Miami Valley that were impacted by the tornadoes now can visit http://www.retreet.org/mvtc to complete a simple online form to request that free, native trees be planted for them. Representatives of RETREET and its partners will work with those who submit requests to determine the best planting locations at each home site.
The Dayton Foundation recently established the Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign Fund to accept contributions for the campaign, as well as awarded a leadership gift of $50,000. AES Ohio joins in support of the Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign, pledging a matching grant for all contributions of $500 or more to the campaign fund at The Dayton Foundation, up to $50,000. To make a contribution online, please visit the Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign Fund page. Contributions by check should be made payable to The Dayton Foundation, 1401 S. Main Street, Suite 100, Dayton, Ohio 45409. Please indicate that it is for the “8647 Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign Fund”. |
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MVRPC Provides Regional Government Job Board Exclusively for Members |
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MVRPC hosts MiamiValleyGovJobs.org, a one-stop website for candidates seeking a role with a public agency in the Miami Valley. This service is provided to MVRPC member organizations at no cost.
Posting your positions on MiamiValleyGovJobs.org improves visibility of your job postings and expands your candidate pool. Each job post will be displayed with your organization's logo and a link to your website where candidates can find more information. Posting a job is easy! Click on JOB BOARD on the MVRPC website for step-by-step guide to post a position. MVRPC staff will ensure all postings are appropriate and current.
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MVRPC created MiamiValleyRoads.org to provide all of the latest updates on construction projects that could impact commutes throughout the Region. It also provides user-friendly access to route planning tools, commute solutions and other ideas to reduce congestion and prevent air pollution for the areas under construction.
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An Interstate 70 to Interstate 75 Interchange Ramp has reopened. The I-70 east ramp to I-75 north was closed for two months for crews to remove and replace an existing wall for safety reasons. The project also included installing arrow signs, also known as chevron signs, to help guide traffic around the I-70 eastbound to I-75 northbound ramp as well as on I-75 northbound to I-70 westbound, I-75 southbound to I-70 eastbound, and I-70 westbound to I-75 southbound. The Contractor also removed and replaced a portion of the ramp pavement. This project began in March and was originally scheduled to be completed by May 2021, but due to weather delays, it was completed in June.
For a complete list of projects provided by ODOT District 7 and 8 for the Region, visit MiamiValleyRoads.org. Follow MVRPC’s Facebook and Twitter pages for project update posts.
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The Dayton Riverfront Plan (DRP) proposes over 90 projects within five corridors along 15 miles of waterway covering over 4,000 acres. The Dayton Riverfront Plan’s nine partners—City of Dayton, Five Rivers MetroParks, Miami Conservancy District, along with CityWide Development Corporation, Downtown Dayton Partnership, Greater Dayton RTA, Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, Montgomery County and the Land Bank—are collaborating to move forward strategically, ensuring that we take advantage of every opportunity to bring the vision to reality. Visit https://daytonriverfrontplan.org/2021/05/26/riverfront-plans-implementation-strategy/ to learn more.
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Spotlight on Member Resources |
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Grants and Funding Resources |
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On a monthly basis, MVRPC highlights several funding opportunities on our website that could benefit our member communities. We include a description, contact information and program links. We have also listed other valuable resources for finding funding opportunities.
This month we are featuring information on:
- Our Town – Deadline: August 5, 2021
- ODOT Municipal Bridge Program – Deadline: August 15, 2021
If you need assistance with your grant pursuit or further research, please contact Kathryn Youra Polk, Senior Planner, at 937.223.6323 or kyoura.polk@mvrpc.org.
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Upcoming Meetings and Events |
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Most meetings are being cancelled or shifted to teleconference. Please check the agency calendar on mvrpc.org or contact Teresa Lombardelli to find out the status of your meeting. |
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July 15th 9:30 a.m. - Technical Advisory Committee Meeting - HYBRID MEETING
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MVRPC emails are produced through Constant Contact. We have negotiated a significantly reduced group rate for all of our MVRPC members and partners to join Constant Contact making it easy for you to offer your own customized, professional communication to your communities. You will save considerably more than you could joining the platform on your own, and even if you are already using Constant Contact you can apply our discount to save even more. Best of all, the MVRPC communication team is here to help you get started! Visit our unique Constant Contact link or contact Stacy Schweikhart, MVRPC Director of Strategy and Engagement to learn more sschweikhart@mvrpc.org. |
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