NOACA connection News from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency
October 2013 Vol. 3, Issue 9
NOACA Launches New Website
Visit noaca.org and you'll find a redesigned and updated NOACA website. Check out the easy-to-navigate menu system and home page graphic buttons that link directly to the agency's most popular programs. Scroll down the home page to see the upcoming meetings and events. Let us know what you think about the new website via email, Facebook or Twitter!
Federal Transit Administrator Peter M. Rogoff (left), keynote speaker at NOACA's Annual Meeting, answers questions from the floor.
NOACA's 2013 Annual Meeting brought over 200 local officials, transportation planners, and consultants to the City of Cleveland's new Convention Center to hear about multimodal innovation in the NOACA region. NOACA Executive Director Grace Gallucci and Federal Transit Administrator Peter M. Rogoff noted that the Millenial generation is trending toward transit use and encouraged multimodal transportation facilities to serve a younger population. They cited RTA's HealthLine bus-rapid transit system, RTA's Clifton Boulevard Enhancement Project, and the City of Cleveland's West 73rd Street Extension as examples of innovative, multimodal improvements in northeast Ohio. If you were unable to attend the meeting, you can view presentations by Gallucci and Rogoff on YouTube. If you did attend, please provide feedback about your experience through a brief online survey.
James R. Gills Receives Ehrnfelt Award for Outstanding Contribution
James R. Gills
Lake County Engineer James R. Gills is the 2013 recipient of the Walter F. Ehrnfelt Award for Outstanding Regional Contribution. NOACA announced this news at its Annual Meeting held on September 13.
"Jim Gills has been a leader not only in transportation, but in water quality as well," said NOACA Executive Director Grace Gallucci. "He brings significant experience and perspective to the table." Gills is the 10th recipient of the Ehrnfelt Award, which recognizes individuals who have exhibited exemplary leadership, commitment, dedication and achievement to the region.
NEOSCC to Host Visioning Sessions
From October 7 - 17, the Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium (NEOSCC) will host its final round of engagement sessions. NEOSCC has drafted its Vibrant Ohio 2040 regional vision based on input from the first two rounds of public engagement, and encourages the public to weigh in on what could be the roadmap for the region's future. The proposed vision will address "Where do we want to go?" and "How will we get there?" If you are interested in attending one of the visioning sessions, NEOSCC suggests registering in advance.
NOACA Approves Projects for Federal Job Access/Reverse Commute and New Freedom Funding
At its September meeting, NOACA's Board of Directors approved $2.38 million in federal funding for projects that address the special mobility needs of individuals with disabilities and people with low incomes. The Greater Cleveland RTA will receive $1.8 million in Job Access/Reverse Commute (JARC) funds for its Work Access Program, which provides transportation to inner-city residents to jobs in the suburbs. Four projects received New Freedom funding, which is allocated to projects that provide transportation services that go beyond what is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. NOACA is the federally designated recipient for JARC and New Freedom funding and is responsible for conducting the selection and award processes for these funding programs.
NOACA Board Adds Projects to Long-Range Transportation Plan
The NOACA Board of Directors also voted to add 15 road, bridge, transit and trail projectsto the region's long-range transportation plan. Twelve of these projects will also be added to the state fiscal years2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program. The long-range plan outlines the development of northeast Ohio's transportation system and identifies transportation investments that are planned through the year 2040. The TIP is the comprehensive, four-year listing of federal-aid transportation improvement projects scheduled for implementation in the NOACA region.
From October 7 - 17, the Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium (NEOSCC) will host its final round of engagement sessions. NEOSCC has drafted its Vibrant Ohio 2040 regional vision based on input from the first two rounds of public engagement, and encourages the public to weigh in on what could be the roadmap for the region's future. The proposed vision will address "Where do we want to go?" and "How will we get there?" If you are interested in attending one of the 
Cleveland RTA will receive $1.8 million in Job Access/Reverse Commute (JARC) funds for its Work Access Program, which provides transportation to inner-city residents to jobs in the suburbs. Four projects received New Freedom funding, which is allocated to projects that provide transportation services that go beyond what is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. NOACA is the federally designated recipient for JARC and New Freedom funding and is responsible for conducting the selection and award processes for these funding programs.
