Dayton Daily News Features MVRPC's Equity Leadership Efforts |
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Today's Dayton Daily News features an article detailing MVRPC's Equity Leadership efforts.
In July 2017, we published the Miami Valley Equity Regional Profile, using data and maps to clearly demonstrate that not all areas of our Region have equal access to opportunity.
In October 2017, MVRPC launched the Miami Valley Equity Initiative in response to the clear gaps identified through our Equity Profile.
In 2019, in partnership with The Dayton Foundation, the Del Mar Fund, Learn to Earn Dayton and other local institutions, our Equity Initiative evolved to become the Institute for Livable and Equitable Communities.
As part of this effort, MVRPC convenes on a monthly basis with the Equity Leadership Team, a broad cross section of community leaders committed to developing strategies and funding initiatives that reduce racism and increase access to opportunity for all.
The article shares the collaborative work of the Equity Leadership Team to draft priorities for regional efforts in the coming years.
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2021 MVRPC Climate Change Seminar to Focus on Climate Justice |
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The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission invites you to participate in the second annual Miami Valley Climate Change Seminar on Wednesday, February 24, 2021. The virtual event is free to attend and will feature a focused conversation on Climate Justice. |
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10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Morning Keynote Presentation on Climate Justice
by Jacqueline Patterson, Director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program
Recognizing that environmental injustices, including climate change, have a disproportionate impact on communities of color and low income communities in the United States and around the world, the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program was created to provide resources and support community leadership in addressing this human and civil rights issue by advocating for three objectives: reduction in harmful emissions, particularly greenhouse gases; advancing energy efficiency and clean energy; and strengthening community resilience and livability.
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Driving Equity, Now! An Overview of Equitable Development
by Carlton Eley, MVRPC Regional Equity Initiative Manager
Advancing equity is the unfinished business of the planning profession. This 45-minute session explores how planning can advance place-based solutions that are responsive to the needs of populations that are underserved and vulnerable.
2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Climate Solutions Simulation
by En-ROADS
The En-ROADS Climate Workshop helps to identify the most effective mix of strategies to address climate change via interactive testing of the cutting-edge simulation model En-ROADS. The resulting experience is hopeful, scientifically-grounded, action-oriented, and eye-opening.
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Ohio Loves Transit Week February 7 - 14, 2021 |
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From February 7 through 14, 2021 MVRPC will join our Region's transit partners and stakeholders, as well as our communities and riders, to celebrate Ohio Loves Transit Week. The video above features both Greater Dayton RTA and Greene CATS, and will be used for commercials airing statewide to promote the vital role of public transit in Ohio.
Every segment of Ohio – businesses, communities, individuals and families – benefit from public transportation, an essential service that enhances economic development, insures sustainable lifestyles and a higher quality of life.
Ohio loves transit and Ohio needs transit… now, more than ever.
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Regional Equity Initiative Manager Assists Members
with Overview on Needs Assessment
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Recently, the City of Huber Heights invited Carlton Eley, MVRPC Regional Equity Initiative Manager, to participate in a meeting of their Culture and Diversity Citizen Action Commission.
Mr. Eley shared background and resources relevant to the group’s interest in a community needs assessment. While MVRPC does not have funding to offer, we can assist member communities with scoping for such a project if they intend to pursue a contractor to conduct the assessment. Also, MVRPC can conduct limited research by reviewing national data sets like the U.S. Census and the American Community Survey if requested.
Since the passing of the MVRPC resolution in October 2020 which ensured that we would provide technical assistance to our members for work in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, Carlton has met with several Miami Valley communities. If Carlton can help offer guidance or resources to your community in order to help get a project off the ground, please contact him at celey@mvrpc.org. |
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Regional Equity Initiative Manager Named Sojourner Truth Fellow at University of Michigan Taubman College |
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The Sojourner Truth Fellow annually engages scholars and reflective practitioners who bring into the college rigorous attention to issues of race and ethnicity as they relate to the theory and practice of urban and regional planning.
As the Sojourner Truth Fellow, Eley will participate in a series of remote events throughout the winter semester, including online public lectures on February 8 and 22 and a student-led public forum on March 8.
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Critical Conversation about the Pedestrian Safety Crisis in America
Event Summary
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MVRPC partnered with Bike Miami Valley in January to present a critical conversation with planner, journalist and author Angie Schmitt on pedestrian safety trends nationwide and here in the Miami Valley Region. More than 100 engineers, planners and alternative transportation advocates joined us for the virtual event.
Schmitt, author of Right of Way: Race, Class, and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths in America (Island Press, 2020), shared her insights on the many factors leading to the recent rise in pedestrian traffic fatalities. MVRPC staff presented data, resources, and campaigns for identifying pedestrian crash locations, assisting the development of solutions, and educating the traveling public about pedestrian safety.
A recording of the session is now available on the MVRPC website using the link below.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Resources |
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Currently, the resources include a vaccination dashboard and vaccination location information provided by the Ohio Department of Health and information from County Public Health Departments.
MVRPC will update this resource page as any new resources on COVID-19 become available.
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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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The reconfiguration of the interchange of Smithville Road and US 35 is now complete. A new northbound to westbound US 35 access was constructed to tie in with the existing southbound to westbound US 35 ramp. This intersection is now signalized. Construction began in the Spring of 2019 with the goal of improving safety by removing a ramp with substandard clearance over US 35 mainline.
The Smithville Road and US 35 interchange is part of the US 35 Corridor Improvement Project to upgrade the corridor between Interstate 75 in Dayton and Interstate 675 in Greene County. The next phase, currently under construction, will widen US 35 from two-lanes to three-lanes in each direction between Smithville Road and I-675 and is expected to be completed by Summer 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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Planning and GIS Services to our Members |
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MVRPC’s interdisciplinary staff team provides critical professional planning and GIS services to our member organizations for their successful planning and policy development efforts. Currently, the MVRPC is involved in a wide range of projects such as:
- Greene County Future Land Use Plan Update
- Miami Township Comprehensive Plan Update
- Dayton Riverfront Plan
- City of Miamisburg Siebert Riverview Neighborhood Plan
- City of Dayton Huffman Neighborhood Plan
- City of Clayton GIS Application Development
- Harrison Township GIS System Development.
Member benefits from these services include:
- Planning process consultation and design by a team with diverse expertise and experience;
- Access to the latest GIS and related data and analysis expertise for enhanced data-driven decision making;
- Technical support related to Census and other socioeconomic data, mapping, funding opportunities, and best practices research; and
- A neutral, third-party professionals that understand the unique challenges and needs of the area.
Through a strategic partnership with MVRPC, we can help expand your in-house planning capacity.
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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:
- Ohio Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Deadline: March 5, 2021
- Ohio Recreational Trail Program Grant (RTP) Deadline: March 15, 2021
COVID-19 Funding Opportunities:
- CARES Act - Coronavirus Relief Fund - Paycheck Protection Program (Second Draw) – Deadline: March 31, 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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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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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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Feb. 11th 9:30 a.m. Disaster Recovery Impacted Jurisdictions VIA Teleconference
Feb. 17th 3:00 p.m. DRG Climate Team VIA Teleconference
Feb. 18th 9:30 a.m. Technical Advisory Committee VIA Teleconference
Feb. 23rd 10:00 a.m. HSTC Council Meeting VIA Teleconference
Feb. 23rd 2:30 p.m. Regional Equity Initiative VIA Teleconference
Feb. 24th 10:00 a.m. 2021 MVRPC Climate Change Seminar VIA Teleconference
Mar. 3rd 3:00 p.m. Officer’s Call VIA Teleconference
Mar. 4th 8:30 a.m. Executive Committee Meeting VIA Teleconference
Mar. 4th 9:00 a.m. Board of Directors Meeting VIA Teleconference
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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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