Columbus, OH -- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Pamela Boratyn on Nov 8th, announced grants of more than $17.5 million to support public workforce transportation in rural and urban areas of Ohio. 

ODOT is awarding the funding to transit agencies in 16 counties through the Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program (OWMP). The funding will support 33 transit projects that increase the ease and efficiency of transporting residents to economically significant employment centers or places of employment outside of their home communities. 

“Transportation should never be a barrier to opportunity," said Governor DeWine. "With these grants, we're ensuring that Ohioans can easily travel to and from work without having to choose between a good paying job or the relocation of their family.” 

The OWMP Program was established with support from the Ohio General Assembly. The program provides funding for infrastructure, equipment, technology, vehicles, and planning projects.  

“Public transit serves an important role by providing mobility options for our workforce. This funding ensures that transit agencies are better able to connect Ohio's workers to their jobs and to employment opportunities across the state,” said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn. 

DETAILS: Workforce Mobility Partnership Program Grants

The projects include more than a million dollars for the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) for an entry drive, canopy, and technology that displays real-time bus arrival information at a transit hub at Rickenbacker International Airport. This hub connects COTA and the Groveport Rickenbacker Employee Access Transit (GREAT) to transit agencies in Fairfield, Fayette, Madison, and Pickaway counties. 

The Butler County Regional Transit Authority will receive $2.5 million to expand its bus yard, construct a propane fuel station, and offer additional training for drivers. These upgrades will support the CincyLink Commuter route that connects residents of Butler and Warren counties with places of employment in Hamilton County. There are an estimated 250,000 jobs within three miles of CincyLink stops. 

In rural areas, projects include $117,004 for Morgan County Transit to support the Morgan-Noble County Workforce Connectivity project. The funds will provide two new vehicles to expand services between the two counties. 

The OWMP is administered by ODOT’s Office of Transit which advocates and supports safe and reliable personal mobility by coordinating and funding public transportation as a vital element of Ohio's transportation system.