Dublin Mayor Chris Amorose Groomes has been appointed as the new chair of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s (MORPC) Central Ohio Passenger Rail Advisory Council.

Succeeding Marysville City Manager Terry Emery, Mayor Amorose Groomes steps into the role at a pivotal moment. Having previously served as MORPC’s longest-serving board chair, she brings a wealth of collaborative experience just as the region is transitioning from dreaming about passenger rail to executing actionable strategies.

Projects Taking Big Next Steps

The MORPC advisory council is heavily focused on advancing the Midwest Connect Corridor, the proposed route that will link Chicago, Fort Wayne, Columbus, and Pittsburgh. Columbus is also the heart of the 3C+D Corridor, which aims to connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati.

As both projects enter service delivery planning, where stations, tracks, and rail equipment are identified, securing continued buy-in from the Columbus region is required to make both projects a reality.

Moving from Vision to Execution

Achieving this requires getting multiple municipalities and stakeholders on the exact same page. MORPC Chief Mobility Officer Parag Agrawal highlighted this need for unity, noting that Mayor Amorose Groomes brings the "collaborative diplomacy needed to unite our municipalities, align our regional resources, and successfully secure this transformative infrastructure for all of Central Ohio."

For her part, the new chair is ready to leverage rail for the region's future.

"The return of passenger rail is a vital economic and community driver for Central Ohio," said Mayor Amorose Groomes. "Connecting our urban, suburban, and rural communities by rail expands access to jobs, boosts local economies, and ensures our region remains a competitive and thriving place to live and work. Central Ohio is growing, and we must match that growth with a modern transit vision."

All Aboard Ohio applauds the appointment of Mayor Amorose Groomes and thanks Terry Emery for his previous service. We look forward to continued work alongside MORPC and local leaders to ensure that the Midwest Connect and 3C+D corridors bring robust, modern passenger rail back to the Buckeye State.

To learn more about the council's ongoing work, visit the Central Ohio Passenger Rail Advisory Council at MORPC.org.