OWMP Improve Cross County Transportation

Sponsor: Laketran
Estimated Total Cost: $2,987,274
Proposed Source of Federal Funds: Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership (OWMP) Program  

History/Background: The Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program was first established in Section 755.20 of House Bill 23. Through this act, $15 million was made available each State Fiscal Year for 2024-2025 to support projects in the rural and urban areas of Ohio that easily and efficiently transport resident workforce members to economically significant employment centers or to places of employment outside of their resident community.

The OWMP Program was reestablished in Section 620.10 of Ohio House Bill 54. Through this act, $13.5 million is made available each State Fiscal Year for 2026-2027. The program goal remains the same – to fund transit projects that will effectively and efficiently get Ohioans to work.

The following project was awarded funding through the OWMP program in November 2025: 

• LAK LAKETRAN OWMP IMPROVE CROSS COUNTY TRANSPORTATION: This project involves the purchase of expansion vehicles. Laketran will add two propane-powered Light Transit Vehicles to its fleet, increasing capacity for longer cross-county trips and supporting the expanded joint service. These vehicles will improve operational efficiency and help meet growing demand for workforce transportation, linking communities to manufacturing hubs, training centers, and essential services in Lake and Geauga counties.
  
  Laketran and Geauga Transit have been awarded funding to launch a three-year cross-county workforce mobility initiative, hiring six new drivers and raising Geauga Transit wages to create a unified driver pool for seamless service between Lake and Geauga counties. This project will expand demand-responsive transportation for work, training, education, and healthcare, removing barriers and connecting residents to major job centers and opportunities across both counties.
  
  The estimated total cost, provided by the sponsor, is $2,987,274.

Staff Comment (Summary):

Committee Review:

Transportation Subcommittee:

• Recommended for Planning and Programming Committee review.

Intergovernmental Review and Consultation (IGRC):

Public Involvement: