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Tributes to the Past, Creative Reboots for the Future: Place-specific festivals in Ohio — Greater Ohio Policy Center As you plan your summer, head out to a few of these festivals which are fun, quirky celebrations that could only happen in that specific place.

Ohio is a state steeped in history. Our agricultural & industrial past & the 21st century versions of those ways of life, make our state particularly rich in heritage & culture.

Many communities across the state hold festivals that build community & celebrate something unique about their place.

The program provides funding to develop tools to help strengthen a community’s approach to roadway safety & save lives.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is currently accepting applications for the SS4A program from eligible MPOs and political subdivisions. The deadline is May 26, 2026.

The Safe Streets & Roads for All (SS4A) competitive grant program is focused on improving roadway safety for all users by reducing & eliminating serious-injury & fatal crashes through the development, refinement, & subsequent implementation of comprehensive safety action plans.

Ohio + Columbus: A Tale of Two States — Greater Ohio Policy Center Ohio + Columbus: A Tale of Two States ,” analyzes 2020 Census data to identify significant trends in the state of Ohio and make the case for data-driven polices responsive to current trends.

These divergent trends mean that state policy makers need to think differently about the needs and challenges of the Columbus area versus other places in Ohio. GOPC offers appropriate policy solutions for the unique needs of the legacy areas of the state. www.greaterohio.org/publications...

Ohio's population is growing, according to new census data The Ohio agency that put out last year's report on falling population over the next quarter century said new numbers indicate those forecasts may have been off.

There have been some positive trends in population growth recently, but new data shows that, as GOPC has previously reported, excluding Central Ohio, Ohio's population would not have seen much, if any growth. www.wosu.org/2026-03-12/n...

Our March Newsletter is hot off the presses. This month's features include updates on the federal ROAD to Housing Act, Congressionally Directed Spending, ODOT's TRAC update, and more. mailchi.mp/greaterohio....

Note: A version of this blog was originally published on December 3, 2019. This version is updated to reflect work that has been undertaken by TRAC in the 5 years since.

TRAC 101: Understanding Ohio's Transportation Review Advisory Council as ODOT Prepares to Approve 2026-2029 Major New Construction Program — Greater Ohio Policy Center Note: A version of this blog was originally published on December 3, 2019. This version is updated to reflect work that has been undertaken by TRAC in the 5 years since.

This week, preliminary approval to the draft list of Major New Construction projects for 2026-2029 is expected to be approved, opening up a public comment period providing Ohioans the one and only opportunity to weigh in on major highway construction projects.

www.greaterohio.org/blog/2026/3/...

Is your community interested in increasing housing production through pre-approved plans?

Come talk with the experts and get your questions answered at Greater Ohio Policy Center’s free monthly office hours, Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 9:00am.

Register at housingoh.org/office-hours

Eliminating Property Taxes will Create Irreparable Harm — Greater Ohio Policy Center GOPC is monitoring recently passed policies that can provide eligible homeowners relief from burdensome costs. There are more tools under consideration, which GOPC is closely following.

Major property tax overhauls approved by lawmakers last year go into effect today, aiming to bring about $3 billion in relief over the next several months. Still, efforts are underway to potentially eliminate property taxes in Ohio all together.

Why doing so could cause irreparable harm to Ohio.

AT Newsletters — Greater Ohio Policy Center Active Transportation Newsletters

Our latest Active Transportation Newsletter includes

• Spring’s Arrival Heralds Return of Riders, Need for Infrastructure Maintenance
• Columbus Prepares for More Bike Lanes in 2026, Including Protected Bike Lanes
• Timely Grant Funding Opportunities

www.greaterohio.org/at-newsletters

Spring is upon us and we are focusing on what that means for active transportation as we enter the peak seasons for riding, walking, running, and more.

House Bill 361: Interested Party Testimony — Greater Ohio Policy Center Testimony provided to the House Local Government Committee on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Click here to learn more about House Bill 361.

Earlier today, GOPC provided testimony to the House Local Government Committee regarding House Bill 361 - legislation seeking to make important changes to building reviews, local regulations, and zoning. www.greaterohio.org/legislative-...

Spring’s Arrival Heralds Return of Riders, Need for Infrastructure Maintenance — Greater Ohio Policy Center After a long winter, light is appearing at the end of the tunnel. We will soon see the return of warm weather and ideal conditions for outdoor activity, including cycling, running, and walking.

Today on our blog, we take a look at proper tips and tricks for maintaining active transportation facilities to help increase access, mobility, and safety. www.greaterohio.org/blog/2026/3/...

We spend lots of time advocating for more active transportation infrastructure, safer streets, and more to help promote more active transportation. But what about maintaining existing infrastructure?

We know it's hard to believe with the way the weather turned this week, but spring is right around the corner (Friday actually). We will soon see the return of warm weather and ideal conditions for outdoor activity, including cycling, running, and walking.

Is your community interested in increasing housing production through pre-approved plans?

Come talk with the experts and get your questions answered at Greater Ohio Policy Center’s free monthly office hours, Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 9:00am.

Register at www.housingoh.org/office-hours

21st Century ROAD To Housing Act Clears U.S. Senate; House/Senate Conference Expected — Greater Ohio Policy Center House lawmakers approved their version of the bill on February 9 by a bipartisan vote of 390-9. Today’s vote in the Senate was equally bipartisan, clearing the chamber 89-10.

GOPC has been actively tracking the Congressional housing bill known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The legislation has gone through several iterations within & between the U.S. House of Representatives & U.S. Senate. It's now poised to become law. www.greaterohio.org/blog/2026/3/...

The bill will still need to be approved by the U.S. House, which previously approved the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act in February 390-9, but this is a huge step to the first significant federal housing legislation in years.

The U.S. Senate has passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act by a vote of 89-10. Among the major provisions of the bill, it would authorize a grant program to help communities establish pattern books to streamline & expediate processes & build more homes.
www.banking.senate.gov/imo/media/do...

Reminder: Tomorrow is the deadline for communities seeking capital budget funds for community projects to submit requests to their respective members of the Ohio House and Ohio Senate. Don't miss out on this opportunity.

From the Archives: Akron Releases Housing Action Plan by GOPC and the Reinvestment Fund — Greater Ohio Policy Center Housing remains a pressing issue in Ohio communities. GOPC worked with Reinvestment Fund and the City of Akron in 2024 to understand the city’s residential markets and the policies and programs the ci...

Housing remains a pressing issue in Ohio. We worked w/ Reinvestment Fund & the City of Akron in 2024 to understand the city’s residential markets & the policies + programs the city needs to create more housing while protecting existing residents
www.greaterohio.org/blog/2026/2/...

From Concept to Construction: How Ohio REALTORS® Built a Scalable Model for Infill Housing With support from multiple REALTOR® Party Grants, Ohio REALTORS® created the ‘Housing Ohio’ Tools for Development Guidebook and advanced statewide housing reform that secures funding, infrastructure, ...

We were proud to work with the Ohio Realtors in developing the "Housing Ohio Toolkit". Check out this great story below and learn more about how the toolkit can assist your community with infill housing on a scalable model. realtorparty.realtor/homepage/suc...

Three Principles of a National Housing Affordability Strategy In the face of today’s affordable housing crisis, federal policymakers can provide the leadership needed to advance a sustained, comprehensive strategy that …

As Congress is working on hammering out the final details of a bipartisan legislative housing bill, our friends at the @urbaninstitute.bsky.social have a great piece on the three principals of a national housing affordability study. Check it out here ⤵️
www.urban.org/urban-wire/t...

Is your community interested in increasing housing production through pre-approved plans?

Come talk with the experts and get your questions answered at Greater Ohio Policy Center’s free monthly office hours, Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 9:00am.

Register at www.housingoh.org/office-hours

Senate Bill 42: Proponent Testimony — Greater Ohio Policy Center Testimony provided to the Senate Local Government Committee on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Click here to learn more about Senate Bill 42.

GOPC's @jasonewarner.bsky.social has submitted Proponent Testimony to the Committee, outlining our support for the legislation by providing local governments with one more tool that can help to address property taxes and preserve vibrant neighborhoods.
www.greaterohio.org/legislative-...

The Senate Local Government Committee is meeting this afternoon to hear testimony on Senate Bill 42, the Residential Stability Zone legislation designed to provide local governments permissive authority to adopt property tax relief for long term residents. ⤵️ www.ohiosenate.gov/committees/l...

Deadline Approaches for Communities Seeking Capital Budget Funds — Greater Ohio Policy Center Organizations seeking community project funding from the state must turn in their proposals to legislators' offices by Thursday, March 12.

Lawmakers have opened up the process for communities to request community project funds for possible inclusion in the upcoming 2027-28 capital budget. Those seeking funding from the state must contact legislators' offices by Thursday, March 12.
www.greaterohio.org/blog/2026/3/...

City to Try Out Concrete Barriers for New Bike Lane Project - Columbus Underground The City of Columbus has released more information about a planned redesign of Frebis Avenue on the South Side. The project, which is scheduled for construction later this year, will feature two prote...

Columbus is working on another bike lane project in the city. A new project, slated to begin construction later this year, will include concrete barriers for extra protection separating cyclists from motor vehicles to run on both sides of the street.
columbusunderground.com/city-to-try-...