COLUMBUS & EATON — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks last week announced more than $100 million in investments to support quality public transportation in Ohio. Some of those funds will be coming to the Preble County Council on Aging.

A total of $106 million will be awarded to 383 transit projects throughout Ohio. ODOT’s Office of Transit is awarding the funds through seven separate grant programs that focus on workforce mobility, senior citizen and special needs transportation, rural transit, and busing.

“This funding will help ensure that transportation is not a barrier to opportunity. We are improving the quality of life for Ohioans who depend on public transportation to access jobs, education, and medical services,” said Governor DeWine.

Funding will be used for a variety of purposes such as transit fleet expansion, replacement vehicles, preventative maintenance, facility upgrades, new equipment and technology, and operating assistance.

“Transportation isn’t just about moving vehicles; it’s about moving people. These grant funds target the pillar of ODOT’s mission to make transportation accessible, especially in our rural communities,” said Director Marchbanks.

The grants are being awarded through the following ODOT programs:

Rural Transit Program — $39,009,519 for 42 operating projects awarded for public transportation services in rural areas.

Preble County Council on Aging was awarded $447,604 in operating assistance from federal funds.

Buses & Bus Facilities Program — $5,035,267 for 66 capital projects to assist with the purchase of capital assets for public transit systems in rural portions of the state. Preble County Council on Aging was awarded two grants of $57,154 each, for replacement vehicles, from federal funds.

Mobility Management Program — $4,618,738 for five regional planning and 34 local mobility management projects dedicated to increasing access to mobility for Ohioans by increasing understanding and awareness of transportation needs, promoting coordination of transportation options to meet needs, and building sustainable and healthy communities by integrating transportation into planning and programs. Preble County Council on Aging was awarded $52,581 from the State General Revenue Fund.

These grant programs are funded through state general revenue funds and Federal Transit Administration funding awarded to ODOT.

Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.