Latest news with #MORPC
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Air quality alert issued for central Ohio as wind transports wildfire smoke
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Central Ohio is under an air quality alert Saturday due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) issued the air quality alert early Saturday afternoon due to northeasterly winds that are expected to transport Canadian wildfire smoke into central Ohio. MORPC said this will combine with increased mixing to bring smoke closer to the surface, making AQI levels unhealthy for some groups. The national AQI scale monitors ozone and particle pollution levels to note air safety. The scale runs from 0-500, with higher values indicating higher risks. If the value is above 100, it is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Ohio Mega Millions winner claims $112 million prize MORPC said sensitive groups include active children, the elderly and people with asthma and COPD. To avoid possible health issues, these groups are encouraged to limit outdoor activity, particularly over longer periods of time. If anyone experiences breathing difficulties, MORCP encourages them to call their doctor. All central Ohioans are encouraged to take action to help improve air quality. MORCP recommends avoiding refueling your vehicle or getting gas, as both contribute to pollution, especially during the daytime heat. Residents are also encouraged to avoid using gas-powered lawn equipment and hold off mowing until another day. People are encouraged to carpool or seek alternate transportation when possible. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As Columbus' economy booms, here's the biggest thing central Ohioans are worried about
As the Columbus region grows, a new survey shows one pressing concern remains on the minds of most central Ohioans —housing affordability. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, which includes 15 Columbus area counties, surveyed residents on economic development and found that most are worried about home prices as the area continues to boom. At least 73% of residents surveyed said housing costs were too high, MORPC found. At the same time 31% said a lack of housing options locally was a major contributing factor. Read More: 'House hacking' is Gen Z's new approach to home buying: What is it? More than half of residents, or 51%, said that increasing affordable housing supply would be the most impactful economic development strategy, even more so than attracting businesses or providing businesses support, according to MORPC. 'As Central Ohio continues its rapid growth, we have a choice in how we shape our future,' MORPC Executive Director William Murdock said in a press release. 'Success won't be measured by growth alone, but by how well we expand opportunities for housing, transportation and economic prosperity." Among other topics included in the survey were questions about job opportunities, childcare and infrastructure. At 54%, more than half of those surveyed felt optimistic about central Ohio's job outlook. In 2022, semiconductor maker Intel announced it would open at least two factories in New Albany and just this year drone maker Anduril announced it would open a campus near Rickenbacker International Airport and bring 4,000 jobs to the region. Despite those developments, 36% of surveyed residents said they were concerned about a lack of high paying jobs and 26% thought there was an overall shortage of jobs in the region, according to MORPC. Childcare remains a chief barrier to central Ohio residents entering the workforce, with 27% of survey respondents ranking it as among their top three economic concerns. Of the surveyed residents with children, 20% said they had to sacrifice child care to afford housing, MORPC found. The survey also found residents strongly support infrastructure and utility upgrades, with 66% responding that they are needed to sustain the region's growth. But, just 42% said the support raising taxes to fund such efforts, according to MORPC. Dispatch investigative reporter Max Filby can be reached by email at mfilby@ Find him on X at the handle @MaxFilby or on Facebook at @ReporterMaxFilby. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: In Columbus, home prices are still a big problem, central Ohioans say
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$52M in federal grants awarded for new Columbus-area bridges, paths and other projects
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission has distributed more than $52 million in federal funding for infrastructure projects around central Ohio. Seven projects, from bus rapid transit to new bridges spanning interstate highways, were allotted federal transportation funding that is coordinated through MORPC. Five of the seven projects awarded funding are in Columbus. They include: ● $9,328,863 for the East Broad Capital Trail, a multi-use path ● $7,382,832 for intersection improvements at Trabue Road at Walcutt Road on the city's Far West Side ● $14,400,000 for bus rapid transit improvements on East Main Street on the city's East Side ● $4,730,373 for the Big Walnut Trail between Cherrybottom Park and Morse Road on the city's Northeast Side. ● $9,155,409 awarded to Franklin County for the second phase of East Cooke Road reconstruction east of Interstate 71 between Glenmawr Avenue and Karl Road on Columbus' North Side. The road is the border between the city's North Linden neighborhood on the south and the Maize-Morse and Clinton Estates neighborhods on the north side. The other two projects awarded new grants: Dublin: $4,500,000 for the Emerald Connector, a new bridge crossing Interstrate 270 Grove City: $2,625,000 for the Southwest Regional Medical and Innovation Gateway Overpass, a new bridge over Interstate 71 These projects were approved from approximately $160 million in grants requested from around the region. A MORPC committee selected the projects 'with the greatest regional impact for these limited resources,' Tom Graham, principal planner at MORPC, said n a press release. 'MORPC is working closely with Central Ohio communities to invest in critical infrastructure projects,' said Parag Agrawal, MORPC's chief mobility and development officer. 'The $52 million commitment will enhance the multimodal transportation network, promote walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, and will enhance roadway safety.' Awinfrey@ This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus area gets $52M in new federal grants funding bridges, paths
