In June 2021, OKI received the Major Metro Achievement Award from the National Association of Regional Councils for developing the Ohio River Way Digital Guide in 2021.
The online tool was developed to increase safety and enhance tourism along the Ohio River corridor from Portsmouth, Ohio, to West Point, Ky.
In 2021, Forbes magazine ranked Cincinnati #2 on their national list of best road trip destinations. The Ohio River Way, which inspired the digital guide, was listed as a main attraction for kayakers and other water sport activities.
The Ohio River Basin Alliance Recreation Sub-committee is working to expand the digital guide to include the entire Ohio River from Pittsburgh, Pa., to Cairo, Ill.
The group is focusing on connecting with other river groups along the Ohio who can take on the responsibility of entering, managing, and maintaining the data for their area.
Additionally, the ORRT partnership was awarded a U.S. National Park Service in-kind technical assistance grant in 2019. A second award is pending for 2022 to help plan and develop the trail following the standards of the NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program.
Other OKI Annual Report Highlights
OKI Continues Improving Public Participation, Community Outreach
OKI seeks new ways to engage the region through public meetings, workshops, surveys, social media, and other forums. For example, many of our events have moved online to include hybrid and virtual options.
OKI Aids Clean Air, RideShare, Bike & Pedestrian Trails
Viable bicycle and pedestrian trails, RideShare programs and clean air initiatives are critical to the health and welfare of a region. OKI continues to fund these important amenities because we know our region's 2 million residents value them as much as OKI does.
OKI’s Strategic Regional Policy Plan a Tool for Consistent Development
This plan’s policy recommendations help inform and guide local decision makers. They are based on regional trends in population change, increasing costs of public services, while incorporating environmental health and a better quality of life.