The NOACA Report

NOACA's Regional Climate Action Plan

The NOACA Report offers a monthly in-depth discussion on pressing issues and opportunities for building equitable and livable communities throughout Northeast Ohio. Hear about the overall implementation efforts for integrating social equity into transportation and environment planning decisions that will increase accessibility to land use, housing, health, workforce mobility and infrastructure investments. In this Episode, we are discussing the development of Northeast Ohio’s first regional Climate Action Plan.  A regional climate action plan creates a foundation for transformative action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build resilience, and enhance equity.   NOACA will design and carry out the regional climate action plan that integrates local initiatives and identifies opportunities to develop programs and policies at the regional scale.  The plan will also include an inventory of current emissions, an assessment of resiliency and risk, and region-specific climate goals.    Joining the discussion is Grace Gallucci, NOACA's Executive Director and CEO; Joe MacDonald, Director, Strategic & Environmental Planning, NOACA;  Semia Bray of Bray Consulting Group, Inc.;  Stephen Love, Program Director, Environmental Initiatives, The Cleveland Foundation;  John Mitterholzer, Program Director, Climate and Environmental Justice, The Gund Foundation. Learn more about eNEO2050 and how this comprehensive planning approach will enhance the region’s competitiveness and increase its resilience to support regional planning initiatives at eneo2050.com.

Part II. Exploring Investment Opportunities for an Equitable Northeast Ohio, Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

The NOACA Report offers a monthly in-depth discussion on pressing issues and opportunities for building equitable and livable communities throughout Northeast Ohio. Hear about the overall implementation efforts for integrating social equity into transportation and environment planning decisions that will increase accessibility to land use, housing, health, workforce mobility and infrastructure investments. In this Episode, listen to Part II of our discussion,  “Exploring Investment Opportunities for an Equitable Northeast Ohio”.  The historic $1.2 trillion bipartisan bill,  Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA),  presents tremendous opportunities for Northeast Ohio as a large share of funds will go to a variety of programs such as roads, bridges, highways, broadband, water projects and economic development opportunities for the growth of our region.  Our host Grace Gallucci, NOACA's Executive Director & CEO will discuss the comprehensive economic development strategies (CEDS) for Northeast Ohio. Joining the discussion is Lake County Commissioner and NOACA’s Board President John Hamercheck, Fred Abousleman, President at A/R360 Consultants, LLC, Natasha Cresap, Economic Development Specialist at Lorain County Ohio Government, Patrick Mohorcic, Director of Public Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Lake Development Authority.  Learn more about eNEO2050 and how this comprehensive planning approach will enhance the region’s competitiveness and increase its resilience to support regional

Exploring Investment Opportunities for an Equitable Northeast Ohio

Join the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) for its second season of  "The NOACA Report," a podcast about the long range plan, eNEO2050: An Equitable Future for Northeast Ohio.  The NOACA Report offers a monthly in-depth discussion on pressing issues and opportunities for building equitable and livable communities throughout Northeast Ohio. Hear about the overall implementation efforts for integrating social equity into transportation and environment planning decisions that will increase accessibility to land use, housing, health, workforce mobility and infrastructure investments. In this Episode, we’re talking about “Exploring Investment Opportunities for an Equitable Northeast Ohio”.  The historic $1.2 trillion bipartisan bill,  Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA),  presents tremendous opportunities for Northeast Ohio as a large share of funds will go to a variety of programs such as roads, bridges, highways, broadband, water projects and more.  Our host Grace Gallucci, NOACA's Executive Director & CEO will discuss how the agency will prioritize projects aligned with the IIJA including a brownfield revolving loan, climate action plan, electric vehicle charging stations, hyperloop, and comprehensive economic development strategies (CEDS). Joining the discussion is Kathy Sarli, former Chief Operating Officer, Randy Lane, Director of Programming and Beverly Burtzlaff,  Government Affairs Liaison.  Learn more about eNEO2050 and how this comprehensive planning approach will enhance the region’s competitiveness and increase its resilience to support regional outcomes over the next 30 years. Check local listings to find the NOACA Report and more about eNEO2050 at www.eneo2050.com.

NOACA's eNEO2050 Long-range Plan End Review and Highlights

In this latest episode, NOACA staff discuss highlights of the  eNEO2050 long-range plan (LRP). After an 18-month plan development, the eNEO2050 was adopted by the NOACA Board of Directors on June 11, 2021.   Staff responsible for the overall comprehensive plan, will unveil how the LRP was developed as a 30- year transportation blueprint for Northeast Ohio. Equity is woven throughout the eNEO2050 document, ensuring that all people have access and mobility to enable them to actively participate in the economy and to enjoy the quality of life this region has to offer.  The LRP,  identified as the 'people's plan,'  was accomplished with over 3000 comments from stakeholders and public at-large throughout four development phases and over 100 comments during the final draft. These diverse perspectives and input help shape the plan.  Listeners will  hear about the CrowdGauge tool and survey input that help determine the transportation scenarios; performance measures; the 4 P's: policies projects, programs and plans that include over $14 billion of future transportation investments. The overall results of the plan will be discussed. Guests include  NOACA's Executive Director and CEO, Grace Gallucci, who will moderate today's episode;  Kathy Sarli, Chief Operating Officer;  Joe MacDonald, Director of Strategic and Environmental Planning;  Ali Makarachi, Director of Transportation Planning and Engineering;  Debby Heinen, Senior Planner - Strategic and Long-Range Planning;  and co-host, Danielle Render, Director of External Engagement and Public Affairs. Learn more about the eNEO2050: An Equitable Future for Northeast Ohio,  at www.eneo2050.com  "The NOACA Report" podcasts are posted bi-monthly. Look for Part II of this next series in October 2021.

Setting the Plans for Public Transit

In this latest episode, NOACA delves in a discussion about Northeast Ohio’s public transit plans for the future and how to ensure important resources, like Ohio’s recent approved Transportation Budget and President’s Biden Infrastructure Plan are utilized in our area to provide frequent, reliable service to connect people with public transit.  Listen in as our guest co-hosts Grace Gallucci, NOACA Executive Director-CEO and Valarie McCall, NOACA Board member and Chief of Communications, Government and International Affairs for the City of Cleveland discuss these issues and the state of public transit with guests Ben Capelle, General Manager of Laketran, Dr. Floun’say Caver, COO of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and Shannon Rine, Medina Transit Director. Learn more about the eNEO2050: An Equitable Future for Northeast Ohio, NOACA's long-range plan at www.eneo2050.com "The NOACA Report" podcasts are posted monthly.