Explore innovation and infrastructure at the Ohio Conference on Freight

Navigate the latest trends and innovations in logistics transportation during the Ohio Conference on Freight, happening July 29-31 in Toledo.

At the Ohio Conference on Freight, you’ll connect with logistics leaders, policymakers, and planners during special networking opportunities and between engaging sessions that feature transportation and business experts.

Learn how foreign trade zones are facilitating international commerce, and about the expanding role of waterways and ports in Ohio’s efficient, affordable, and interconnected freight network.

During the first day of the conference, Lourenco Goncalves, the chairman, president, and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs, will deliver an opening address focused on how Ohio’s unmatched multimodal freight assets that link lake, rail, truck, and inland waterway systems, support the company’s vertically integrated steelmaking strategy.

Tuesday evening, attendees will enjoy an exclusive reception at the National Museum of the Great Lakes, with private access to the SS Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, once the largest freighter on the Great Lakes. A guided boat tour will navigate the shallow waters and pass beneath bridges along the Maumee River to highlight the Port of Toledo’s growing cargo capacity.

Day two will highlight international freight with a focus on the Gordie Howe International Bridge. All attendees will travel by luxury motor coach for an exclusive tour of the modern and streamlined U.S. customs facilities at the Gordie Howe, guided by staff from the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. Canadian Consul General Colin Bird will explain the critical role of cross-border partnerships during a reception at Newlab at Michigan Central, a groundbreaking mobility and logistics innovation hub.

The final day will turn the spotlight to rail and air freight, emphasizing how Ohio’s diverse transportation modes create unmatched opportunities for growth and innovation.

Check out what we’re adding to the agenda and secure your spot at www.OhioConferenceonFreight.com

Reserve your seat for the Summer General Assembly!

Do you know how Ohio’s next state budget could impact your community or organization?

With the ink soon expected to be dry ahead of a new state fiscal year, TMACOG’s Summer General Assembly presents a well-timed opportunity to learn about the budget currently being developed, and to hear reactions and individual priorities of state lawmakers.

Join us Friday, August 8 to learn all about Ohio’s new state budget and ask questions during a panel of state legislators. Our traditional venue, Penta Career Center, is working on exciting expansion plans, so we’re shifting this Summer General Assembly to Owens Community College.

Morning caucus sessions are a great way to kick off the day by making connections and learning how colleagues are approaching common issues. Each caucus will also submit questions for the afternoon panel of state lawmakers.

During the keynote presentation, Kevin Futryk of the Government Advantage Group will share analysis of Ohio’s new two-year budget and the details that are important for local communities and organizations. In the afternoon, a panel of state legislators will discuss regional issues and respond to your questions.

Legislators planning to attend include:

Rep. Gary Click, 88th District, Ohio
Sen. Theresa Gavarone, 2nd District, Ohio
Rep. Haraz Ghanbari, 75th District, Ohio
Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson, 11th District, Ohio
Rep. Jim Hoops, 81st District, Ohio
Rep. Erika White, 41st District, Ohio

Click here to reserve your spot. Your $20 registration includes breakfast, lunch, and access to all sessions.

The deadline to register is Friday, August 1.

If you require accommodation to fully participate in this event, contact Jennifer Allen: allen@tmacog.org or 419-241-9155 ext. 1107.

Supporters of the Summer General Assembly include:

Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Colliers Engineering & Design
DGL Consulting Engineers
FirstEnergy
Fishbeck
OHM Advisors
The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc.
AT&T
Huntington Bank
Rudolph Libbe Group
Turner Concrete Pipe
Owens Community College

TMACOG Tech: The Lowdown on Spotted Lanternflies

Spotted lanternflies are more than just a nuisance—they’re a serious threat to our crops and street trees.

Join us at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 9 for TMACOG Tech: The Lowdown on Spotted Lanternflies, a short informational session focused on tips to help you identify and mamange this invasive insect.

Amy Stone, an agriculture and natural resources educator for OSU Extension in Lucas County, will share practical knowledge and strategies to discourage the spread of spotted lanternflies.

Whether you’re a municipal leader focused on protecting investments in beautification and public gardens, or a township trustee representing agricultural communities, we’ll equip you to take action to protect your local environment and economy.

You’ll learn why this invasive insect is spreading across northwest Ohio, what damage it can cause if left unchecked, and information to share with your community to stop it.

No registration is necessary.

Click here to join the virtual meeting at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 9.

Thank you to the supporters of TMACOG Tech:

Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Colliers Engineering & Design
DGL Consulting Engineers
FirstEnergy
Fishbeck
OHM Advisors
The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc.

Stay air aware this summer!

As temperatures rise and summer weather settles in, it’s time to pay attention to the air we breathe, which can be impacted by ozone and other pollutants.

TMACOG leads annual efforts to keep residents informed and protected during Air Quality Awareness Season. We share daily forecasts so you can plan to change or reschedule outdoor activities when ozone levels may be high.

Ground-level ozone forms when pollutants from cars, lawn equipment, and industrial sources react to sunlight. Several days have already produced elevated ozone levels—conditions that can make it harder to breathe, especially for children, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions.

You’ll see messages on TV, online, and on billboards encouraging you to check the ozone forecast and take simple steps to reduce air pollution. You can help reduce your impact during high ozone days:

Avoid mowing grass and refueling vehicles during the hottest times of the day
Combine errands to reduce car trips
Choose public transportation or active transportation (walking and biking) when possible

By staying informed and making small changes, we can all help improve air quality and protect public health. Check the daily ozone forecast and current air quality conditions at www.tmacog.org/air

Applications open for regional transportation funding

TMACOG is accepting applications now through August 1 for transportation improvements like intersection upgrades, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and projects that reduce emissions.

This round of regional funding will award up to $17.5 million from the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program, the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), and the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP).

TMACOG manages the regional Transportation Improvement Program for Lucas and Wood counties. Eligible applicants include local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies, school districts or local education agencies, tribal governments, and any other local governmental entities with responsibility for or oversight of transportation or recreational trails.

Projects can typically receive up to 80 percent of construction costs. The local applicant is responsible for the remaining 20 percent and all project preparation expenses.

Regional scoring and ranking representatives will propose funding allocations for projects that meet eligibility requirements, score highest when evaluated against program criteria, and fit funding availability based on fiscal year planning. Members of TMACOG’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Policy Board will consider approval in September.

Click here for application materials, project eligibility information, and more details. Completed applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, August 1.

Questions? Contact Lisa Householder, TMACOG program manager, at householder@tmacog.org or 419-241-9155 ext. 1124.

TMACOG recognized for passenger rail advocacy

The Ability Center presented TMACOG with its Community Partnership Award in recognition of our region’s efforts to advance passenger rail development in Ohio.

TMACOG Executive Director Sandy Spang was honored to accept the award at The Ability Center’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Seminar earlier this month at the Toledo Museum of Art.

During her remarks, Sandy shared personal stories and emphasized TMACOG’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility as foundational principles in our advocacy and planning processes. She highlighted rail development as a step toward a more connected future that ensures access to jobs, healthcare, and opportunity for everyone.

Field Day boosts utility knowledge and resilience

Nearly 100 water and wastewater professionals from across Ohio attended a Field Day full of training information, presented by TMACOG and the Great Lakes Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP).

The May 20 event at City Park in Bowling Green offered an interesting blend of presentations, field demonstrations, and facility tours designed to help staff sharpen their skills and earn continuing education credits to maintain their professional licenses.

“This event was the first partnership of its kind – Great Lakes RCAP brought fantastic speakers and demonstrations from across Ohio to add incredible value to the water and wastewater training TMACOG offers each year. This event illustrates the power of partnership!” said Kari Gerwin, TMACOG’s director of water quality planning.

One session outlined strategies to address growing cybersecurity risks and practical strategies to protect utility operations from threats like phishing attacks and ransomware. Another offered information on mutual aid and emergency coordination for water and wastewater utilities.

Participants selected a specialized tracks tailored to their professional focus. Water treatment courses included sessions on backflow prevention, service line material identification, water audit basics, and water quality monitoring. These sessions were complemented by outdoor demonstrations showing valve exercising and hydrant flushing in action. A tour of the Bowling Green Water Treatment Plant offered a look at the city’s drinking water operations.

Those who selected the wastewater track learned how to conduct inflow and infiltration investigations, select the right nozzles for sewer line cleaning, and use cameras and acoustic devices for pipe inspections. A live smoke testing demonstration showed how to detect leaks and unauthorized connections in real time. The track also included a tour of the Bowling Green Wastewater Treatment Plant, where operators could observe treatment processes and equipment up close.

Additional elective sessions included training on GIS dataset development, emergency response planning, drone technology for infrastructure assessment, and green stormwater infrastructure. Other sessions addressed funding opportunities and construction management—key topics for communities planning infrastructure upgrades.

The event was made possible thanks to TMACOG’s 2025 Annual Supporters:

Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Colliers Engineering & Design
DGL Consulting Engineers
FirstEnergy
Fishbeck
OHM Advisors
The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc.

Spang appointed to NARC Executive Directors Council

TMACOG Executive Director Sandy Spang was appointed as an at-large member of the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) Executive Directors Council at its annual conference in Seattle.

NARC serves as the national voice for regions by advocating for regional cooperation as the most effective way to address a variety of community planning and development opportunities and issues. NARC’s member organizations are composed of multiple local governments that work together to serve American communities – large and small, urban and rural.

“The National Association of Regional Councils and its members are a valuable source of information for the work we do at TMACOG, and I’m pleased to be able to serve the organization in this role,” Spang said. “I hope to continue making strong connections and bringing resources back to TMACOG, while advocating for the value of regional collaboration.”

“Regional councils are essential in shaping effective, collaborative solutions for our communities, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue in this role at the national level. I look forward to sharing insights, learning from our peers, and continuing to build partnerships to ensure TMACOG remains at the forefront of regional planning.”

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