For the Miami Valley Today

TROY — City of Troy Mayor Robin Oda on Friday presented a check for $45,000 to Rides to Work Program Director Jim Taylor and the Troy Foundation President and Executive Director Melissa Kleptz.

Rides to Work offers free and subsidized transportation for Troy residents to and from Troy area businesses, including Clopay, ConAgra, F & P America, McDonald’s, and many other Troy companies. The program has been in place since 2016 and has provided as many as 8,800 rides per year. Rides to Work has been funded by the Troy Foundation, which has contributed nearly $175,000 since 2016.

Transportation was identified as the highest priority need in the Troy Foundation’s 2020 Community Needs Assessment findings, and the city’s grant will increase the number of rides, as well as hours of service. Additionally, the city’s contribution will allow the program to hire an executive director to expand awareness, raise additional funds, and work directly with Troy’s business community to connect potential employees to their facilities.

“Our businesses have told us consistently that finding workers has been their biggest challenge. Rides to Work provides a vital service, one that, as it shows continued success, will hopefully convince our businesses to financially invest in. The city’s partnership in this effort should demonstrate how serious we are about not only helping our businesses address this issue but also encouraging the program to become self-sustaining,” said Oda.

The city’s grant is part of the city of Troy’s $2.75 million allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that was appropriated by Troy City Council in 2021 and 2022.