A new transportation system in Allen County came one step closer to becoming a reality on Tuesday, though it continues to hang in limbo for the time being.
Jessica Thompson, director of development at Thrive Allen County, shared with commissioners Thrive’s recommendations regarding the proposed program and went over some of its finer details as well.
In short, the program will allow for transportation anywhere within the county for a small fare (e.g., $2 in Iola and $4 for anywhere else), and even to destinations outside the county within reasonable parameters.
The county would also continue to offer its Senior Bus program.
The need for a transportation program of this kind grew out of feedback from a research group of around 100 residents, many of whom shared stories about not having the means to drive to the grocery store, attend medical appointments or make it to work.
After an extended discussion, commissioners did not give an up-or-down vote, but showed continued interest by requesting additional purchasing scenarios.
For instance, whereas the original plan looked to purchase two new vehicles and hire three new employees (some full- and some part-time), they were interested in what a scaled-back version of the program might look like.
A decision may be forthcoming as early as next week, but must be made with some haste, for as Thompson explained, the application paperwork for the program contains over 50 pages and deadlines are looming.
According to research by the National Transportation Association, “for every dollar invested in public transportation, approximately $4 in economic returns are generated.”
For Allen County, that would mean a return of $336,443 in the program’s first year, whereas investment in the program for year one would run about $44,560.
Regarding another grant, Thrive CEO Lisse Regehr also shared the news that, after the window for SPARK funding closed across the county for small businesses and nonprofits, around 20 of each kind of entity had been approved for COVID-19 relief.
According to Regehr, approval for assistance was based on need and impact, and therefore “blind” evaluators took into consideration whether entities had received previous assistance in the form of PPP or EIDL funds.
STEVE Prasko of Advantage Computers spoke with commissioners about courthouse security, including purchasing bulletproof glass and computerized access control for certain offices.
He explained that the purpose of such measures is to stop an “agitated” person from advancing into certain spaces, while providing a “little bit of time for the sheriff’s department to show up.”
Many security measures of this kind also double as protection from COVID-19, and therefore Prasko went into some details regarding how Advantage could help county employees to perform remote work from home as well.
