Logan and Mason Counties Work Together for Public Transportation

[March 12, 2008]  A new group met at the American Legion in Mason City on Monday to discuss the transportation needs and concerns in Logan and Mason counties. They are looking for more feedback. Anyone interested is invited to attend the next meeting, scheduled for April 21 at 10 a.m.

The Logan and Mason County Board chairmen, Dick Logan and Jim Griffin, received word last fall that federal money was available through the Illinois Department of Transportation to fund the enhancement or creation of public transportation in the counties. By working together, the counties hope to use the dollars as efficiently as possible and eliminate geographic transportation barriers. As a senior transportation provider in both counties, Community Action is assisting the counties in taking the first step to explore the potential.

"In order to access the 5311 transportation funds, the counties must complete a five-phase primer process that includes a need assessment, action plan, funding coordination and system evaluation," said Angela Stoltzenburg, Community Action executive director.

"The first step is to create a Transportation Partnership Group of stakeholders, and that process has begun. The TPG is a group of volunteers working under guidance from the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Transportation Clearinghouse. Since no individual, community entity or agency can speak for the community, we are forming a diverse group of stakeholders to make sure all needs and individuals are considered during this process," said Stoltzenburg.

Community Action serves the low-income and senior populations of six counties in central Illinois. For more information, visit www.ciedc.org. For more information about the upcoming meeting, interested parties should e-mail [e-mail] or call 217-732-2159, ext. 223.

[Text from file received from Central Illinois Economic Development Corp.]