The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments, known locally as OKI, is updating its Strategic Regional Policy Plan and is seeking input from the general public through the release of a new survey.
The survey, titled “How Do We Grow From Here,” is due on March 31 and asks questions about topics such as housing, transportation infrastructure and urban development.
OKI is a council of local governments, business organizations and community groups that develops collaborative strategies, plans and programs to improve the quality of life and economic development potential of the tri-state, according to the agency.
Six subject areas will be the focus of OKI’s regional vision: transportation, land use, housing, public facilities and services, natural systems and economic development. The OKI board is expected to consider final SRPP updates in June.
“Public input will help determine the priorities for the OKI region as we continue to look toward our future,” said Travis Miller, OKI’s regional planning manager. “Understanding the values of everyone, in all communities, is critical to this process – and we encourage everyone to take this brief survey. We need to hear from the public.”
Since the summer of 2022, OKI has engaged regional experts representing state and local agencies, nonprofits focused on community investment and environmental conservation, as well as economic development professionals to offer key insights on conditions and trends for each subject area.
“These experts were tasked with suggesting how the SRPP could best address, support, and advance regional vitality, sustainability and competitiveness focusing on the land use-transportation connection,” Miller said.
SRPP supports the goals of the agency’s long-range transportation plan. Transportation investments have a direct impact on community land uses and development opportunities, while transportation systems affect community character, the natural environment and local economies.
“The SRPP supports the long-range transportation plan by identifying opportunities to improve our transportation priorities with better land-use policies and practices,” Miller said. “OKI uses this plan to support and help advance local land use planning across the tri state region.”