(Columbus - May 23, 2012) The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) announces the availability of the draft Whetstone Creek Balanced Growth Plan for public review and comment. The draft Balanced Growth Plan will be presented on Wednesday, June 13th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Candlewood Lake Lodge located at 7326 SR 19 in Mt. Gilead, OH 43338. The Candlewood Lake Association is excited to invite the public to their lodge to learn more about the Whetstone Creek Balanced Growth Plan. Attendees are encouraged to enter through the main gate off of Route 19 and indicate that they are attending the MORPC public meeting to be admitted and directed back to the lodge.

Communities included in the Whetstone Creek Watershed Planning Partnership include:

• Village of Cardington
• Village of Edison
• Village of Mt. Gilead
• Cardington Township
• Congress Township
• Gilead Township
• North Bloomfield Township
• Washington Township
• Westfield Township

Community representatives and stakeholders in the Whetstone Creek Watershed worked together in a voluntary effort to address the interrelated issues of water quality and economic competitiveness. A major feature of the resulting plan is the identification of the following types of priority areas:

• Priority Conservation Areas - areas which are most critical for protection
• Priority Development Areas - areas which are particularly well-suited to development or redevelopment
• Priority Agricultural Areas - areas which are targeted for continued or expanded agricultural activities

In addition to the priority area maps, the draft Whetstone Creek Balanced Growth Plan also includes an implementation toolbox containing information and resources for communities that choose to implement components of the plan.

"We are very pleased with MORPC's outreach and collaboration on this project and we are excited about the outcomes," states Patricia Davis, Morrow County Planning and Development Office Director of Operations.

After a final plan is in place, the next step is for jurisdictions in the planning partnership to pass resolutions of support. MORPC will then submit the plan to the state for endorsement. The state offers special incentives for communities that have endorsed Balanced Growth Plans. These incentives can include extra points on grant applications, low-interest loans, and more. Currently, there are 26 state programs that include special consideration for communities participating in Balanced Growth.

The public has the opportunity to provide input on the draft Whetstone Creek Balanced Growth Plan. Submit comments during the 30-day public review period June 1 - June 30, 2012. Draft documents will be available at the Mt. Gilead and Cardington libraries and on MORPC's website beginning June 1. Click on "Whetstone Creek" to access the plan and to view the planning area, which includes Morrow County. To schedule a meeting or for more information please contact Erin Grushon at 614-233-4155.

Comments can be emailed to Erin Grushon or mailed to MORPC, 111 Liberty St., Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215.

MORPC is a voluntary association of 44 local governments in central Ohio serving the region through planning, direct service, public policy information and innovative programming and intergovernmental coordinating services in the areas of transportation, land use, energy conservation, the environment and housing.