The Politics and Promise of a Growing Region

Regional planning isn’t just about roads and rails. It’s about building the future of a place, one decision, one partnership, and one policy at a time. In this week’s episode, we sat down with Joe Garrity, Senior Director of Government Affairs and Community Relations at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC). We talked about how MORPC helps shape the long-term trajectory of Central Ohio through strategic collaboration with local governments, state legislators, and congressional partners. Joe shared how the region’s rapid growth is both a challenge and an opportunity, and why he believes the “clay is still wet” when it comes to defining what Central Ohio can become. We explored the region’s push for better transit, the unique nature of Columbus as a non-legacy city, and why now might be the moment to close the gap on passenger rail finally. Joe also gave us a window into the next generation of public service and why solving significant issues, such as housing and infrastructure, will require new voices at the table. Shownotes MORPCJoe GarrityMORPC Internship Program Full transcript on page 2. The post The Politics and Promise of a Growing Region appeared first on The Confluence Cast.