This post is intends to provide an overview of this form of local government administered by the Crawford Partnership.
Purpose of the Transportation Improvement District (TID): The purpose of the Crawford County Transportation Improvement District (CCTID) is to cooperate with Crawford County and other local political subdivisions and private sector entities to improve the transportation system in the County in such a manner that contributes to the creation or retention of jobs. A TID’s authority comes from Chapter 5540 of the Ohio Revised Code and is considered an essential governmental function.
Creation of the TID: In May 2020, the Crawford County Commissioners created a Transportation Improvement District (TID) via a resolution for Crawford County. The CCTID Board comprises five local appointments, each lasting two years. In addition, under Ohio Revised Code, there is one nonvoting member if appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one nonvoting member if appointed by the President of the Senate.
The following members were appointed in May 2022.
Mark Maker, P.E., P.S. – Crawford County Engineer
Douglas Weisenauer -Crawford County Commissioner
Tim Ley – Crawford County Commissioner
David Zak – Crawford Partnership
John Rostash – City of Bucyrus
Larry Schmidt -Alternative for Crawford County Commissioners
To see the resolution, click here.
The Brandt Road Improvement Project: The TID program provides reimbursable gap funding for transportation projects that directly impact economic development (job creation, retention, and private investment.) Based on the program’s criteria, the CCTID submitted its first project in May 2021, collaborating with The City of Galion. The application was for the Brandt Road Improvement project, specifically widening Brandt Rd. to accommodate a left turn lane for eastbound traffic onto S.R. 598. Applications are scored based on set criteria.
This project aligned with the TID guidelines for catalytic economic development as it is located near the potential site for the Freese Center, the JBS Rural Industrial Park Loan/spec building being constructed, and at the time of the application the Shutterfly, Inc./Lifetouch expansion. Each contributes to the overall economic development in and around the Brandt Rd. and S.R. 598 intersection. In addition, The City of Galion is completing the S.R. 598 widening project.
At the time of the application, 538 jobs would be retained, and 126 jobs would be created (within a half-mile of the Brandt Rd. and S.R. 598 intersection).
The Brandt Road Improvement Project was ultimately selected as one of the projects and awarded $150,000 by ODOT’s Job & Commerce. The total budget for all TID funding across the state is $4.5M annually, and a project can receive 25% of total project costs not to exceed $250,000.
May/June 2022 Update: This month Mayor Tom O’Leary from the City of Galion provided an update on the project. The City of Galion plans to bid on the Brandt Road Improvement project in September 2022, with work taking place in the fall and winter and finishing in the spring of 2023.
A TID is ultimately an economic development tool to improve the economic welfare within the area of the CCTID and all the state by promoting industry, commerce, and distribution, as well as retaining and creating jobs.