Washington, DC, September 23, 2024 - ELY Public Affairs is excited to announce a partnership with the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission (BHJ-MPC) to enhance public outreach and engagement efforts in support of the development of trail infrastructure along Market Street Bridge in Steubenville, OH. The project will advance the completion of one segment of the national rail-trail network as identified in the Industrial Heartland Trails network by Rails to Trails, a national rail-trail advocacy organization. This seeks to foster community participation and ensure the project aligns with residents' and stakeholders' needs and desires.
The partnership will focus on creating an accessible and inclusive process for gathering public input on the proposed trail system, which is part of a larger plan to improve connectivity, promote outdoor recreation, and boost regional economic development. The new trails will link key areas in Steubenville and surrounding communities, offering residents enhanced opportunities for walking, biking, and outdoor activities.
ELY Public Affairs will spearhead the outreach and engagement strategy, drawing on its public relations, stakeholder engagement, and community development experience. Through this process, ELY Public Affairs and BHJ-MPC will collaborate to gather valuable feedback from community members, business leaders, and local organizations. This input will play a critical role in shaping the final design and implementation of the trail network.
"The Market Street Bridge replacement is such an important project for the community and we are thrilled to join forces with BHJ-MPC," said Erika Young, Principal at ELY Public Affairs. "Our goal is to ensure that as we move forward with the bridge replacement project, we help guide the conversation to reflect a more fulsome understanding of how the community uses the crossing now and how they want to use it in the future. Through a lot of hard work, Steubenville is evolving and we want to make sure that its residents' voices are heard and the trail system reflects the diverse needs of the community."
BHJ-MPC is a regional planning agency focused on transportation, infrastructure, and community development in Brooke and Hancock counties in West Virginia and Jefferson County, Ohio. This collaboration with ELY Public Affairs underscores BHJ-MPC’s commitment to fostering regional growth through innovative and community-driven projects.
About ELY Public Affairs
ELY Public Affairs is a boutique public affairs firm headquartered in Washington, DC. Specializing in advocacy, engagement, and program management, ELY Public Affairs has a proven track record of moving clients' objectives from idea to action.
About the Brooke Hancock Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission
BHJ-MPC spearheads planning activities and sets transportation priorities in Brooke and Hancock counties in West Virginia and Jefferson County, Ohio.
For more information about this partnership and the trail development project, please contact:
Erika Young
Principal
ELY Public Affairs
Website: www.elypublicaffairs.com
Michael Paprocki
Executive Director
BHJ-MPC
Website: https://www.bhjmpc.org/contact-us/