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New regional mobility manager introduced; EDC shifts revolving loans toward child care
Summary
Tony Dubet introduced Rhonda, a regional mobility manager with NEMT experience who said targeted mobility management and public outreach are essential for millage support; Economic Development Corporation staff told commissioners they are prioritizing revolving-loan funding to expand child-care capacity and noted Kellogg Foundation support.
Ogemaw County commissioners heard two related updates about transportation and local economic supports that county leaders said aim to reduce barriers to work.
Tony Dubet, the county transit director, introduced Rhonda, a regional mobility manager placed to help engage stakeholders, educate the public about transit services and support millage outreach. Rhonda said she previously helped build a non-emergency medical-transportation (NEMT) program that produced a 600% increase in rides in the first month and that a prior millage cut a Traverse City one-way trip from $50 to $20. "When the public doesn't understand what transit does, millages fail," Rhonda said; she told commissioners she will be active in community outreach and collaborative meetings.
Separately, Phil Durst, representing the Economic Development Corporation, said the EDC will prioritize its revolving loan fund toward child-care providers — both new and expanding operations — offering lower-rate loans to increase local child-care capacity. Durst reported that the Kellogg Foundation confirmed another round of funding for a child-care back-office website the EDC is developing and that at least one new child-care facility recently opened in the county.
Why it matters: Commissioners noted an August 4 millage vote that will determine transit funding; they warned that if the millage fails, service cuts would follow quickly. Commissioners welcomed the mobility manager as a resource to educate residents about transit benefits and to help preserve service.
Next steps: Commissioners encouraged Rhonda and EDC staff to attend local meetings and public events to boost outreach. Transit leadership said they will prepare for the upcoming millage and consider service reductions if voters do not approve funding.
