Transportation infrastructure – the highways we drive on, the buses we ride, and the ports and railways that carry freight to distant markets – are all influenced by metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). These federally-mandated entities act as a bridge between the federal government and local municipalities, performing a “continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive” planning process in disbursing transportation funds within the region.
Ottawa County is the only county in Michigan that features three MPOs operating within its boundaries. This report highlights the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC), the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council (MACC), and the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission (WMSRDC) and their roles in the local transportation ecosystem. As land use and transportation are inseparable, studying these MPOs provides a better understanding of transportation investments and how increased collaboration among local agencies can contribute to a higher quality of life in Ottawa County.
2020 Ottawa County Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) Report