Reduce, Reuse & Recycle More:
Pay as You Throw and Zero Waste Focus of Recent Sustainability Roundtable
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The recent MVRPC Sustainability Roundtable was packed with information and examples of communities and companies using TRUE Zero Waste and Pay as You Throw (PAYT) approaches to reach their solid waste diversion goals. Dozens of MVRPC member communities joined us for the virtual presentation and discussion.
A few highlights:
- PAYT is common: over 10,000 communities across the US use PAYT.
- On average, PAYT communities see between 12 and 18 percent increase in diversion, and even more if an organics recycling component is added.
- The City of Longmont, CO initiated PAYT in 2017, and has seen steady growth in subscriptions to the PAYT options from their residents.
- Longmont's diversion rate in 2019 was 36%.
- Adoption of Zero Waste strategies by the Cintas Corporation has resulted in all 8 of their Distribution Centers achieving at least a 92% waste diversion rate by 2019.
We look forward to sharing more approaches to save the environment and your community budgets in 2021. If you have a topic suggestions for future Sustainability Roundtable sessions, please share them with Matt Lindsay, Manager of Environmental Planning at mlindsay@mvrpc.org. |
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Distracted Driving Corridors |
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During our November Board meeting, representatives from ODOT gave a presentation on the Distracted Driving Corridors program. We see too often the prevalence of distracted driving on our roadways and the tragic consequences.
Governor DeWine’s Distracted Driving Advisory Council concluded that current laws do not do enough to deter distracted driving behavior. There is currently a bi-partisan bill, SB285, working its way through the State of Ohio legislature which would strengthen Ohio’s distracted driving laws, providing law enforcement with the tools they need to enforce critical safety standards. SB285 would amend distracted driving laws to prohibit drivers from having physical contact with their phones while driving and would make engaging in this dangerous behavior while driving a primary offense. Known as the “Hands Free Ohio” bill, SB285 is currently awaiting a hearing in the Senate Local Government, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee.
Currently, 25 states ban hand-held use of mobile wireless devices while driving. These states have seen an average 15.3% decrease in fatality rates by curbing crashes caused as a result of drivers distracted by their mobile devices.
We encourage you to contact your State Senator and Representative to voice your support for this legislation and urge its passing this year, you can download a sample letter of support at the MVRPC Committee Center.
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EDA Award for Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy |
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In March of 2020, the MVRPC Board of Directors acted to support a joint proposal by MVRPC and the Dayton Development Coalition (DDC) to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for funds to support an update to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for our Region. The most recent CEDS for our Region was last completed in 2012 and a current and compliant CEDS is necessary because it is a pre-requisite for many critical funding opportunities available to our Region through the Department of Commerce including CARES Act and Opportunity Zone programs.
On November 2, MVRPC & DDC received notice from the EDA that our joint proposal to lead this work for our Region received a full funding award. MVRPC and DDC will launch the one-year planning process early in 2021, and will leverage both agencies’ existing stakeholder committees throughout the process. The CEDS is a high-level analysis and strategy for economic stability covering 14 counties in our Region. Together, we will analyze data to capture trends in our major industries and create a strategy that will diversify and build resiliency for our Regional economy.
For more information about the CEDS planning process, please contact Stacy Schweikhart, Director, Strategy & Engagement sschweikhart@mvrpc.org .
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MVRPC released updates to our Planning Tools webpage. First launched in October of 2019, the Planning Tools webpage provides planners with a range of tools, resources, and best practices to enhance planning outcomes across the Miami Valley.
The recent updates expand the topic areas to include: Strategic Planning; Planning Decision Support Systems; Economic Development and Farmland Preservation. The featured planning tools now cover fifteen topic areas and are categorized into three themes. The three themes include: Plan Development & Resources, Plan by Subject, and Plan Implementation. A variety of resources can be found under each topic including primers, policy guides, and manuals from industry thought leaders
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MVRPC created the MiamiValleyRoads.org website 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.
There are several construction areas along US 35 in Montgomery and Greene Counties.
In Montgomery County, the US 35 Lane Expansion Project is the fourth phase of plans to upgrade the corridor between I-75 in Dayton and I-675 in Greene County. This project will widen US 35 from two-lanes to three-lanes in each direction between Smithville Road and I-675. Drivers can expect short-term ramp and lane closures during the project. Estimated completion: Summer 2022.
US 35 westbound exit ramp to I-75 southbound will experience lane width restrictions through Tuesday, August 31, 2021. The ramp will remain open.
US 35 will experience 24/7 shoulder closures for conduit boring, in each direction, between Steve Whalen Blvd. and Dayton-Xenia Rd., through Friday, January 8, 2021.
In Greene County, ODOT is continuing to work on the US 35 Superstreet project to improve congestion and safety at the intersections of US 35 at Factory Rd. and US 35 at Orchard Ln. Traffic on US 35 will be maintained on one lane in each direction. Intersecting streets will be affected at various intervals during construction. Construction is underway and is expected to be completed by late 2022.
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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Spotlight on Member Resources |
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We are a Resilient Region, and the MVRPC 2019 Annual Report celebrates the ways that we came together as a Region in the face of unprecedented challenges. MVRPC Member organizations and community partners recently received the report in the mail and it is also available on our website.
The report highlights the ways that MVRPC's team of talented planners, engineers, program managers and administrators worked side-by-side with dedicated public servants in communities across the Region to make transportation, community planning and sustainability projects and programs a reality.
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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:
- Walmart Community Grants Program– Deadline: December 31, 2020
- Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Recycling and Litter Prevention Grants–Deadline: February 5, 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. All upcoming TAC and Board meetings will be on Zoom. |
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Dec. 10tth 9:30 a.m. Miami Valley Disaster Recovery Impacted Jurisdictions Via Zoom
Dec. 17th 9:30 a.m. Technical Advisory Committee - CANCELED
Jan. 6th 3:00 p.m. Officers Call - CANCELED
Jan. 7th 8:30 a.m. Executive Committee Meeting - CANCELED
Jan. 7th 9:00 a.m. Board of Directors Meeting - CANCELED
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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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