The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) has certified the City of Hilliard as a Sustainable2050 community with a “platinum” status for actions to promote sustainability.
Sustainable2050 is a program that supports communities’ sustainability efforts through direct technical assistance, collaboration, and recognition. Each member’s tier status – Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum – is determined by the number of eligible activities it carries out in five categories corresponding to MORPC’s Regional Sustainability Agenda. The categories are energy consumption; natural resources; economic opportunity; sustainable neighborhoods; and collaboration.
“Communities like Hilliard are dedicated to improving the quality of life of their residents in sustainable ways, and that should be celebrated,” said MORPC Sustainability Officer Brandi Whetstone. “Through Sustainable2050, we are not only recognizing their commitment to sustainability but ultimately assisting them, through access to resources, to do even more.”
The City of Hilliard completed 41 eligible activities across five categories, achieving the Platinum designation. Highlights from Hilliard include:
- Adopting the first Complete Streets policy in Central Ohio which supports safe and sustainable mobility options for all users.
- Creating an Infrastructure Preservation Strategy that includes sustainability and “fix-it-first” at the forefront of infrastructure investments.
- Developing a comprehensive parks and open spaces master plan that includes multi-use trails.
- Offering a Community Composting program for residents to compost food waste and divert waste from the landfill.
City Manager Michelle Crandall and Director of Transportation and Mobility, Letty Schamp, and Members of Hilliard’s Environmental Sustainability Commission, Kristen Hosni, Geoff Dew, and Pete Marsh accepted the award at a MORPC commission board meeting on Friday.
“I’m proud of the steps that our dedicated staff and commission members have taken to make Hilliard a more sustainable community,” said Hilliard City Manager Michelle Crandall. “With the support of Sustainable 2050, we have been able to provide education and new community programs that will make an impact for years to come.”
Sustainable2050 members are certified by MORPC’s Sustainability Advisory Committee and recognized by the commission’s board of representatives. More than 30 local communities have committed to work toward more sustainable practices through the initiative, with 19 earning their tier status certification.
Additional information about the Sustainable2050 is available at morpc.org/sustainable2050.
