NOACA Board Awards $34,100 Grant for Cuyahoga County Merging Communities Study

At its meeting today, the Governing Board of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) awarded Cuyahoga County a $34,100 Regional Benefit Account grant to support a study examining the merits of merging the city of Pepper Pike, Orange Village, Village of Moreland Hills and Village of Woodmere. This study will analyze how safety forces, financial systems and services could be successfully merged, and the cost and regional benefits resulting from the merger. The Cuyahoga Planning Commission will conduct the study and NOACA’s funding assistance will be used primarily for supplemental consultant work.

“Communities are struggling with declining revenues and must stretch their budgets to provide necessary services to residents,” notes Howard R. Maier, NOACA executive director. “They are seeking opportunities to combine and share services with neighboring communities. Whether or not it ultimately leads to a merger of the participating communities, Cuyahoga County’s study will identify potential areas of cost savings, collaboration, and shared services. It will serve as a model for other communities across the region that might also contemplate a merger.”

For more information, contact Cheryl Onesky, Senior Communications Specialist, at 216-241-2414, ext. 221; or Jonathan Giblin, Director of Programs, at ext. 346.