Michiana Selected For Training Academy

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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowWashington D.C.-based nonprofit Transportation for America has selected the Michiana Area Council of Governments to participate in a yearlong training academy. The program is aimed at helping regions that are beginning to use performance measurement to better assess the impacts of transportation spending.
The academy is the first of its kind, created by Transportation for America in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration. The program will educate teams of local businesses, civic and elected leaders and transportation professionals in the early stages of performance measure development. It will also prepare participants to act on opportunities in their communities and plug them into a national network of like-minded leaders around the nation.
"We are excited about this unique opportunity to work with Transportation For America and Federal Highway Administration.", said MACOG Executive Director James Turnwald. "Performance measures can help our region in multiple ways. For example, performance measures will help us clearly convey to the public and our legislators how different levels of investment will result in different outcomes for our transportation network."
Transportation for America Director James Corless says citizens want to know how the decisions are being made to spend their money. He says a more accountable system will be essential for ensuring that taxpayers will get the best return on investment going forward.
The academy will include in-person workshops with participants from seven regions including Indianapolis and South Bend-Elkhart, ongoing technical assistance, regular online training sessions and expert analysis.