Advocacy/Policy

OARC monitors current and future policy changes at both the State and Federal levels that may affect the member agencies and those they represent. OARC has a history of working with State legislators and administration members to further the shared interests of the State and OARC members.

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Specific areas where we can assist the Administration and Legislature include:

Job Creation & Economic Development

• Utilize and designate existing regional councils as Regional Economic Development Organizations for the state of Ohio. Such a local planning process would guide economic growth of an area and provide a mechanism for coordinating the efforts of individuals, organizations, local governments, and private industry concerned with economic and community development.
• Local Government Collaboration.
• In Ohio's 32 Appalachian counties, regional councils serve as Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) local development districts (LDDs) working to create thousands of new jobs, improve local water and sewer systems, increase school readiness, expand access to health care, assist local communities with strategic planning, and provide technical and managerial assistance to existing and emerging businesses.

Transportation

• Enhancing freight movement and coordination, including rail, air, water and truck.
• Rehabilitating existing infrastructure including roads, bridges, water, and sewer systems.
• Support the application of innovative technologies that make Ohio businesses less foreign dependent
• Fix, repair, and preserve existing infrastructure including roadways, bridges and port facilities.
• Promoting the use of Public/Private Partnerships to help projects move forward.
• Assisting Ohio to streamline the process between the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), ODOT, and project awards. Such improved efficiencies will increase the states purchasing power of available dollars.

Environmental Protection

• Six OARC councils conduct Areawide Water Quality Management, or "208" Plans. These councils are doing work that is the purview of the state. These plans state how local governments will meet Clean Water Act requirements for agricultural runoff, storm water management, septic systems, and sanitary sewerage. 208 Plans connect local policies with state and federal requirements. They identify needed sewer and treatment plant improvements, and support predictable development. By federal and state law, Ohio EPA cannot issue permits for sewers and treatment facilities that conflict with 208 plans. Keeping the plans current prevents lawsuits over service areas and permits. OARC councils are uniquely positioned to coordinate regional sewer planning, and have done so since 1975.
• Several OARC councils located in air quality non-attainment areas provide transportation related air quality data to Ohio EPA and provide valuable assistance to the state by working with local communities to develop appropriate strategies to achieve and maintain U.S. EPA air quality standards. Meeting federal air quality standards has important economic impacts to our communities, regions and state. In addition, seven OARC councils (but not 100% sure of this number) also provide daily air quality forecasting and notify the public when air pollution levels are expected to be unhealthy.

OARC periodically publishes white papers to clarify OARC positions on policy and legistlative matters.

For more information regarding OARC Advocacy positions, please contact Kevin Futryk.