Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC)

Infrastructure Program

The Ohio Public Works Commission, initially created in 1987, administers the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP) and the Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP). SCIP is a grant/loan program for roads, bridges, water supply, wastewater treatment, storm water collection, and solid waste disposal. LTIP’s grants and loans, on the other hand, only covers roads and bridges. These programs run concurrently and are solicited, scored, and selected by each of the 19 District Integrating Committees. The Richland County Regional Planning Commission serves as the liaison for district 16, which consists of Ashland, Crawford, Hardin, Marion, Richland, Seneca, Wayne, and Wyandot counties. For further information on these programs click here. For information on application due dates, meeting dates and contact information click here.

Small Government Program

Of the annual SCIP allocation, $15 million is set aside for the Small Government Program, which was established for villages and townships with populations of less than 5,000. This is a “second chance” program for selected village and township projects that have not been funded through the districts. For more information, click here.

Green Space Conservation Program

Since 2000, The OPWC has been responsible for the administration of the Clean Ohio Fund. 19 Natural Resource Assistance Councils (NRACs) solicit, score, and select applications for environmental conservation projects such as acquiring green space or protecting river and stream corridors. Grant recipients agree to maintain the properties in perpetuity. The RCRPC is the liaison for District 16’s NRAC, which spans the same counties as its infrastructure program. For more information on the program or to apply, click here.

Natural Resource Assistance Councils (NRAC)

Natural Resource Assistance Councils are required to be organized under Section 164.21 (A) of the Ohio Revised Code and have the following responsibilities:

A natural resources assistance council shall elect a chairperson, a vice chairperson, and other officers that the council considers appropriate. O.R.C. 164.21 (B)
A council may adopt bylaws governing its operation, including bylaws that establish the frequency of regular meetings and any necessary procedures. O.R.C. 164.21 (B)
A natural resources assistance council shall establish a prioritization and selection methodology system for applications submitted under section 164.23 of the Revised Code. The methodology shall be submitted to and approved by the director of the Ohio public works commission. O.R.C. 164.24 (B)
Natural resources assistance councils shall review and approve or disapprove applications in accordance with sections 164.20 to 164.27 of the Revised Code for grants for projects... defined in section 164.22 (A) and 164.22 (B) of the Revised Code.
Natural resources assistance councils shall forward approved projects to the Ohio Public Works Commission for final approval.

For full District 16 NRAC bylaws, click here.