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Microtransit, radio tower rollout and county housing program update: county says testing slated for fall; rental‑repair funding short of current demand
Summary
County staff reported progress on the Via LC microtransit pilot and a multi‑site radio tower project; staff also said the county's LEHI Safe Ohio housing fund has 399 pre‑applications but insufficient funding to serve them all.
County staff provided multiple service updates at the April 8 Lorain County commissioners meeting, reporting progress on the Via LC microtransit pilot, a county radio‑tower buildout and the LEHI Safe Ohio home repair program.
On microtransit, staff said Via LC has temporarily used substitute vehicles while regular vehicles undergo maintenance; the vehicles carry the Via LC logo and provide the same service during the interim.
On the county radio system, staff reported that construction activity would resume in mid‑April with concrete footers being installed at French Creek beginning April 14 and at the Northern Ohio water tower the following week. Contractors and vendors (including Motorola and MCM) plan to restart work at the fairgrounds site; staff said tower construction and related building work are on track for in‑building and system testing later this summer and fall, with staff aiming for testing in August and broader system tests in September–October. Staff emphasized the need to test the system with leaves on the trees to validate in‑building coverage.
On housing assistance, staff updated commissioners that the LEHI Safe Ohio program had received 399 pre‑applications countywide; Elyria alone submitted about 300 of those applications, and staff clarified that the county is administrator of LEHI funds for all 34 political subdivisions, including entitlement communities. Staff reported total program funding of $1,890,000 for county residents and said additional funds had been requested from the Ohio Department of Development but were not available; staff said the county will continue to seek any funds forfeited by other jurisdictions to help meet demand. The county has until Feb. 28, 2026, to spend the funds.
Ending: Staff said they will continue to monitor and report on the microtransit pilot, radio system testing schedule and LEHI Safe Ohio application processing as funds and construction milestones progress.
