LinkUS, OH
Communications, Outreach, and Engagement

Four leadership entities—Central Ohio Transit Authority, the City of Columbus, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, and Franklin County—are working in collaboration with many others to bring world-class mobility options to central Ohio. This initiative is known as LinkUS. This transformative $8 billion mobility initiative is aimed at expanding transit service, improving sidewalk infrastructure, and increasing access to opportunities across the region. However, it is critical not just to plan for the proposed rapid transit solutions, but to make sure the public understands them, values them, and has a say in how they take shape. Planning NEXT, along with our colleagues at The Saunders PR Group, Engage Public Affairs, and MurphyEpson, is providing leadership on communication, outreach, and engagement. In November of 2024, Central Ohio took a monumental step forward with the passage of LinkUS, ensuring the region remains vibrant and accessible for all.

Accessible, attractive presentation

Planning NEXT has worked with our collaborators to take complex technical information and make it easy to digest and visually appealing. This included design of a multifaceted LinkUScolumbus.com website, which featured interactive, appealing, and content-rich material to convey the special opportunity to reimagine the future. The site’s integration of interactive features, text, surveys, videos, maps, and more led to over 30,000 unique visitors and 64,600 page views since its launch.

Storytelling for impact

Through presentations, collateral, display materials, virtual workshop activities, and more, the team emphasized storytelling for impact. We answered the question “What’s in it for me?” through personal stories, carefully edited video imagery, and captivating phrases on compelling backdrops in presentations. These efforts collectively changed perspectives, opened minds, and generated excitement about what was possible.

Nimble approach to engagement

Planning NEXT has worked closely with partners to help design a process for public involvement that is equitable, authentic, and responsive to dynamic conditions, including the impacts of COVID-19 and the current racial justice movement. This has included designing and advising on engagement that integrates virtual options and innovative opportunities for the public to get involved—and stay involved.

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Tags

Project Type: comprehensive plan
Community Type: county
Services: comprehensive planning, community engagement