(Columbus—February 5, 2010) The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is seeking more responses to its Shaping our Future: the Regional Plan for Central Ohio survey. The first such plan for MORPC, it includes Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Knox, Licking, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway, Ross and Union counties. The plan will incorporate elements on energy, air and water quality, local food, housing, land use, transportation, waterways and the economy. MORPC is currently collecting input to clarify plan goals and expected outcomes, and is traveling around the region asking community leaders and the public what would make them proud to call central Ohio home. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the goals process by completing a more in depth survey on the website http://regionalplan.morpc.org by February 21, 2010. MORPC's goal for survey responses is 10,000. To date, MORPC has received approximately 6,000 responses to the survey. The responses from many outlying counties are currently under the targeted response rate.

"We've had a great response from the community regarding MORPC's regional planning efforts, but we still need to hear from more residents. We want to make sure everybody's voice is heard, not just the usual suspects who are urban planner junkies- we want to make sure the goals developed from this outreach truly reflect the wishes for the people of central Ohio," states Nancy Reger, MORPC's Deputy Director of Transportation.

A five step process was created to help develop the plan:

• 2009 - Identify the plan's vision and goals.
• 2010 - Scenarios and policies will be developed.
• 2010 - Scenarios and policies evaluated based on the established goals.
• 2011 - Recommendations, action steps and performance measures will be discussed throughout the region.
• 2012 - The regional plan will be presented for discussion to community leaders and the public

The plan is scheduled for adoption in the spring of 2012. Additional information about the plan is available at http://regionalplan.morpc.org. The website will be frequently updated and public discussion about the plan will be sought throughout its development.

MORPC is a voluntary association of 47 local governments in central Ohio. It serves the region through planning, direct services, developing public policy, innovative programming, and coordinating intergovernmental services in the areas of transportation, land use, energy conservation, the environment and housing.