Fairfield County Public Transit Receiving $75k Grant From State
LANCASTER, OH — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Pamela Boratyn recently announced grants of more than $17.5 million to support public workforce transportation in rural and urban areas of Ohio, which included a $75,000 grant to Fairfield County Transit.
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.
Fairfield County faces challenges in ensuring its workforce can access job opportunities efficiently due to transportation concerns. The grant will be used to address these challenges through a comprehensive workforce planning project focused on enhancing transportation options within the region.
“Fairfield County assumed responsibility for transit in our county with an eye on how we can better connect workers to local employers,” said Rick Szabrak, Director of Economic and Workforce Development for Fairfield County. “This study will help us better understand the needs of our employers and how we can use transit to remove another workforce barrier for residents in our county.”
Funded by a $100,000 grant ($75,000 from the Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program Grant and $25,000 in local match), the plan prioritizes enhancing transportation options to facilitate better access to job opportunities and support economic growth in both the rural and urban areas across Fairfield County.
“Fairfield County Transit has a long history of providing quality service,” said Aaron Kennedy, Director of Fairfield County Transit. “But there is a gap when it comes to serving our employers. This study and subsequent plan will provide a roadmap for us to help employers with finding a quality workforce, even if those workers have transportation barriers.”
The grant will also allow public outreach to understand needs and challenges of transportation while educating residents and employers about the benefits of enhanced transportation services. Increasing awareness and utilization of improved options will facilitate better access to employment and training opportunities within the region.
Founded in 1800 (three years before Ohio became a State), Fairfield County was the 8th county formed in the Northwest Territory. Today, more than 900 employees serve, connect, and protect the more than 158,000 citizens of Fairfield County, providing high-quality services and outstanding customer service at exceptional value to taxpayers. Fairfield County fosters economic and fiscal sustainability and works to enhance the County's reputation as a high performing, learning, and caring organization. For more information about the county, its services and employment opportunities, please visit https://www.co.fairfield.oh.us/
