Local Stakeholders Supporting Public Transportation Services
(From the HHWP-CAC)
The Hancock-Hardin-Wyandot-Putnam Community Action Commission (HHWP CAC) was awarded $1.99 million in Federal and State funding to operate public transportation services in Hancock, Hardin, and Wyandot Counties.
The award period runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
The Federal and State funding is only available if local funds are provided as match.
According to Josh Anderson, President/CEO of HHWP CAC:
“Generating local matching funds is the most important and challenging aspect of sustaining a viable rural public transit system. Without the local funding, public transit services would cease to exist in our area. We had a tremendous boost in support in Hancock County this year. Local stakeholders including the City of Findlay, the Hancock County Commissioners, the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, Tall Timbers Industrial Park, and the Blanchard Valley Port Authority really stepped up to the plate. This is an excellent example of the public and private sectors working together to improve the lives of residents of Hancock County by investing in public transportation.”
Public transportation provides access to employment, medical services, personal needs, and social engagements.
HHWP CAC is in the process of revitalizing its public transportation system in Hancock County, Hancock Area Transportation Services (HATS).
Improvements are projected to result in the provision of up to 3 times the current number of rides.
In 2026, HATS provided nearly 73,000 rides within Hancock County.
Generating increases of this magnitude requires moving to a “microtransit” service delivery model.
Microtransit involves the integration of transportation zones, transfer hubs, and improved routing and scheduling software that will allow traditional phone call reservations or app-based scheduling directly from a mobile device or computer.
“None of these improvement efforts would have been possible without the contributions from the Hancock County partners,” stated Anderson.
The Section 5311 Rural Transit Program is a federal program that provides capital, planning, and operating assistance to public transit systems. Federal funds are first allocated to states through a statutory formula. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) distributes these funds using a localized performance-based application process. The State of Ohio provides additional support through its General Revenue Fund and other State sources.
