Ohio Conference on Freight showcases regional economic advantages
TMACOG put a spotlight on our region’s unique combination of strong transportation networks and unique geography during the Ohio Conference on Freight’s triumphant return to Toledo.
Back where it started for the first time in more than a decade, the conference that TMACOG founded in 2008 brought together the planners and policymakers who support our region’s transportation systems with the economic development professionals and business leaders who support our economy by moving freight to, through, and from the region.
At the Glass City Center, we showed off our momentum and an improved downtown Toledo to an audience of more than 200 people from eight states, Washington D.C., and Canada.
This year’s conference aligned with the pending completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a massive infrastructure project funded by Canada that will be the largest land port of entry on the northern U.S. border. Several sessions explored the project’s impact on cross-border freight movement. During a visit in partnership with the Detroit-Windsor Bridge Authority, attendees got a firsthand look at how new infrastructure will streamline logistics and enhance supply chain efficiency along the I-75 corridor.
Another major highlight was the opening keynote by Lourenco Goncalves, the chairman, president, and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs. Goncalves spoke about Ohio’s multimodal freight network and its critical role in powering the future of American steel. He emphasized how Cleveland-Cliffs relies on Ohio’s infrastructure to move millions of tons of raw materials and finished products annually, underscoring the state’s strategic importance in U.S. manufacturing
The agenda featured a wide range of sessions on topics such as maritime freight planning, truck automation, foreign trade zones, and the value of development sites connected to rail. Attendees also enjoyed networking events like a waterfront barbecue and tours of the Port of Toledo and the National Museum of the Great Lakes.
Thank you to the sponsors, speakers, staff, and attendee who made this year’s Ohio Conference on Freight a success by offering energy, insights, and collaboration that will drive the future of freight in our region.
State budget and policy take center stage at Summer General Assembly
TMACOG’s Summer General Assembly offered a full slate of opportunities to discuss regional issues, learn important funding and policy news, and engage with state lawmakers.
The morning at Owens Community College began with caucus sessions where members and partners talked about shared priorities and challenges ranging from infrastructure and housing to broadband access and economic development.
A keynote presentation by Kevin Futryk and RJ Mancini of the Government Advantage Group provided a high-level overview of Ohio’s new two-year budget, as well as pending legislation and policy issues.
The transportation budget includes planning funds to develop a route for a bypass between U.S. 23 to Interstate 71 north of Columbus over the next year, a major priority for TMACOG and the western Lake Erie region.
Ohio’s budget also includes several new programs aimed at housing and economic development, including:
$25 million in Residential Economic Development District Grants for communities near major development sites
A new loan program to support housing infrastructure
$800 million to improve broadband access, crucial for economic growth.
There was a focus on property tax reforms that would impact local government revenue. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has announced a working group to look for solutions to address property tax relief.
New rules give county budget commissions more oversight over taxing authorities, including the ability to consider reserve balances when reviewing levy requests. School districts face tighter controls on how they adjust inside millage and must now submit detailed financial projections.
After lunch, a panel of five state legislators responded to questions that TMACOG caucus members discussed during their meetings. Panelists shared their perspectives on the budget and other pressing issues, offering practical advice on how local leaders can effectively engage with state agencies and lawmakers. They emphasized the importance of proactive communication and finding regional consensus on funding and policy priorities.
Participating panelists included Michigan Rep. Will Bruck, Ohio Sen. Theresa Gavarone, and Ohio Reps. Gary Click, Jim Hoops, and Erika White. State Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson attended the morning sessions and engaged members during the Township Caucus meeting.
This Summer General Assembly underscored TMACOG’s role as a vital connector between local communities and state decision-makers, helping ensure that regional voices are heard and represented in Columbus.
Supporters of the 2025 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
Rudolph Libbe Group
Turner Concrete Pipe
Owens Community College
Save the date for a new TMACOG workforce event
We’re launching a new event this fall to showcase public sector career opportunities across the region and highlight the rewards of working in the public sector.
Pathways to Public Service is set for Thursday, October 9 at Owens Community College.
We’ve developed this program based on suggestions from the caucus sessions at recent TMACOG General Assembly meetings, where members and partners expressed a desire to raise awareness about the diverse careers and positions available in local communities.
Our goal is to inform people of all interests, education, and skill levels about meaningful opportunities across departments ranging from public safety and infrastructure to planning, administration, and operations. Audiences will include high school and college students, their families, and anyone else who may be exploring career options.
We’ll share more information soon about how TMACOG members can participate and what to expect at the event. For now, mark your calendars and plan to join us!
Improved phone system offers direct lines to reach staff
Recent improvements to TMACOG’s phone system make it easier to directly reach our staff.
TMACOG’s new system simplifies communication by replacing individual staff extensions with direct dial numbers. Our main line remains the same (419-241-9155), and we’ll answer and direct your calls during business hours.
Go towww.tmacog.org/contactfor up-to-date information for our team orclick here to download a printable quick reference guide.
A new plan for regional transportation improvements
TMACOG’s MPO Policy Board has approved the Moving Forward 2055 Regional Long Range Transportation Plan, setting a course for improving transportation networks over the next 30 years.
This plan considers current transportation conditions and forecasts future needs with anticipated funding, outlining a multimodal approach to transportation planning with more than 600 potential projects and 29 regional initiatives totaling approximately $5.1 billion.
Included projects are intended to improve safety for all users and include traditional roadway infrastructure as well as roundabouts and walking and biking facilities.
Long-range planning documents are a requirement for metropolitan planning organizations like TMACOG to access federal transportation funding, with updates due every five years.
The planning process began in July 2023 and included several opportunities for public comment. TMACOG was commended by the Federal Highway Administration for the public involvement process, which included 672 completed surveys, approximately 50 in-person discussions, and dozens of online comments.
The final plan provides a roadmap to guide infrastructure investments, policy decisions, and funding priorities that were developed in partnership with public organizations and businesses from across the region.
208 Plan will protect regional water quality with drinking water insights
TMACOG Water Quality staff are developing a new chapter focused on drinking water that will be part of this year’s update to our region’s water quality management plan.
The Areawide Water Quality Management Plan is commonly known as the 208 Plan because it outlines how the region will meet federal regulatory requirements outlined in that chapter of the Clean Water Act. The plan is regularly updated with new data and information on service areas and providers of wastewater treatment and stormwater management.
The new section consolidates information and resources to support the resilience of public drinking water systems and economic development, a need identified by local service providers. TMACOG is developing comprehensive maps of all drinking water treatment plants in the region, when they were last upgraded, and their water sources.
The drinking water chapter addresses increasing threats from contaminants such as PFAS, lead, and harmful algal blooms, and highlights how regulatory and treatment efforts in Ohio and Michigan are evolving to address these issues. Additionally, it incorporates geographic analysis of facility exposure to severe weather events such as heat waves, drought, severe winter weather, and flooding. This mapping effort identifies locations that experience high exposure to these weather events, which provides valuable insight for planning resiliency-based upgrades and redundancy in source water if needed.
Members of TMACOG’s Water Quality Council discussed the new chapter at a meeting in May. The council and TMACOG’s Governing Board will consider approval of the updated 208 Plan later this year.
Future updates will include the addition of drinking water service areas and further analysis of each facility’s vulnerability to severe weather. Ultimately, the chapter will serve as both a technical reference and a strategic planning tool to ensure safe, reliable drinking water access in the face of emerging environmental and public health challenges. It’s a necessary step toward integrating drinking water concerns into regional water quality planning and decision-making.
You can help stop the spread of spotted lanternflies
Be on the lookout for the signature spotted wings of an infamous and invasive insect that is spreading across parts of northwest Ohio.
The spotted lanternfly, which originated in Asia before appearing in Pennsylvania in 2014, has since spread across multiple states, including Lucas and Wood counties in Ohio. While it may seem harmless, the insect poses a serious threat to agriculture, ecosystems, and even your garden.
Amy Stone, an educator with the Ohio State University Extension in Lucas County, shared tips to manage lanternflies and prevent them from spreading during a virtual TMACOG Tech July 9.
The spotted lanternfly commonly lives and breeds in plants called Tree-of-Heaven, a non-native invasive tree that is widespread in urban and rural areas. Stone urged communities to identify and remove them. Click hereto learn how to identify Tree-of-Heaven.
The insects also feed on fruit trees, maples, and black walnut trees, as well as grapevines. It leaves a coating on plants and surfaces that grows into mold that is harmful to plants and animals and can even taint honey produced by bees that feed on lanternfly leavings.
Stone explained that adult lanternflies are expected to emerge soon. These adults are more visible and mobile, capable of flying and congregating in large numbers on buildings, trees, and vehicles.
If you see a lanternfly, the best practice is to squish it or take a photo, then report it to the state.
Lanternflies can spread when attached to vehicles, firewood, and outdoor equipment. Egg masses, which look like smears of dried mud, can be laid on nearly any surface. Stone encouraged residents to inspect their properties and scrape off egg masses in fall and winter.
She emphasized the importance of not moving potentially infested materials like firewood across county or state lines. She also warned against using home treatments like vinegar or dish soap, which can damage plants and harm the environment. Approved insecticides and traps are recommended alternatives.
Public education, early detection, and community action are key to slowing the spread. To raise awareness and encourage action, communities across Ohio are joining “The Big Squish” on August 23, a statewide effort to reduce lanternfly populations by scraping eggs and removing insects.
Click here for more information about the spotted lanternfly from the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
TMACOG completes regional freight plan
With freight volume growing and supply chains continuing to evolve, TMACOG has created a regional freight plan to serve as a roadmap for keeping pace with economic development and transportation needs.
Working with the Ohio Department of Transportation beginning in 2024, TMACOG partnered with Burton Planning Services and Metro Analytics to develop a comprehensive strategy for addressing freight infrastructure and operational needs across the western Lake Erie region.
TMACOG staff began by drafting a preliminary scope of work based on similar efforts by other metropolitan and regional transportation planning organizations. This initial framework included a detailed inventory of freight-related transportation assets and challenges that are unique to the region.
Extensive data collection was crucial, including GIS mapping of freight infrastructure, bridge and pavement conditions, demographic trends, and information from TMACOG’s transportation plans and programs. Reviewing statewide planning documents ensured alignment with broader transportation goals.
A series of stakeholder interviews yielded valuable information, bringing together representatives from all modes of freight transportation and key industries that depend on freight. Participants included Class I railroads, the Port of Toledo, Toledo Express Airport, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, and leaders in warehousing, manufacturing, and trucking—including an area truck driver. Major employers such as Amazon, Stellantis, Cenovus Energy, First Solar, and Cleveland-Cliffs also shared their perspectives, along with neighboring MPOs and RTPOs.
“These interviews were invaluable because they gave us a clearer picture of the real-world challenges and opportunities in our freight network. The insights we gathered helped directly shape the plan’s priorities and recommendations,” said Roger Streiffert, a TMACOG transportation planner who coordinated the project.
As Metro Analytics drafted sections of the plan, TMACOG staff provided detailed reviews to ensure the findings reflected local realities. This collaboration was essential in reconciling data-driven analysis with on-the-ground knowledge. One limitation was the accessibility of commodity and freight-volume data, which TMACOG plans to incorporate in future updates, potentially using Freight Analysis Framework (FAF6) data.
TMACOG will use the completed plan to create a list of future priorities that will support economic growth and improve regional freight efficiency. To read the plan and access additional information, go to https://tmacog.org/transportation/freight-plan
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