Reimagining workforce transit in Wood County
What is WorkLink?
The Challenge
Wood County’s economy is growing with new manufacturing, warehouse and distribution jobs, supported by strong educational and training institutions. This growth poses a challenge: limited transit options and suburban development patterns make it hard for many workers across Northwest Ohio to reach these opportunities. Employers struggle to attract talent from across the region, and individuals without reliable transportation are often left behind.
Our Solution
WorkLink, is a workforce mobility study led by the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA), Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) and the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) to address these challenges.
The study will develop medium- and long-term strategies to connect employers with talent and help workers access jobs. By assessing mobility needs, identifying service gaps and analyzing regional travel patterns, WorkLink will shape solutions that expand access to both jobs and employees.
Supported by the Ohio Workforce Mobility Program, WorkLink emphasizes innovation and collaboration among governments, transit agencies, employers and community partners to design flexible, workforce-focused transit solutions.
Reimagining Workforce Transit in Wood County
Discover more with our Story Map and learn more about where workers and employers face mobility challenges.
WorkLink Goals
Enhancing workforce mobility
Assessing the transit needs of major employment corridors and underserved job sites
Establishing multimodal connections
Identifying and designing virtual and physical transit hubs
Encouraging regional collaboration
Leveraging partnerships to create shared transit resources
Supporting economic growth
Ensuring transit solutions attract and retain employees
Study Timeline
May 2025 – Project Kickoff
WorkLink launched with a kickoff meeting bringing together local employers, community leaders and project partners. The team introduced the study, began an inventory of existing transit services and identified gaps to inform the initial needs assessment.
Summer 2025 – Engagement & Assessment
The project team expanded the needs assessment by collecting input directly from the community. Through surveys and conversations with major employers and workers, WorkLink gathered insights on how people currently travel to jobs, the barriers they face and opportunities to improve workforce mobility in Wood County.
Fall 2025 – Developing Solutions
Based on data analysis and community feedback, the team will identify and prioritize transit strategies that could strengthen connections between workers and employers. A draft implementation plan will be developed with mid- and long-term strategies.
Early 2026 – Final Plan
The study will conclude with a final set of recommendations and a workforce transit feasibility plan. This plan, delivered to TARTA, GLCAP, TMACOG,= and regional partners, will outline practical strategies to improve access to jobs and strengthen the region’s workforce mobility.
WorkLink Partners
Steering Committee Members
Alison Avendt
Perrysburg Mercy Hospital, President
Ben Batey
BGSU, Division of Community Well-Being, President
Marissa Bechstein
TMACOG, Program Manager - Economic Development
Josh Bender
North Baltimore, City Administrator
Brian Dicken
Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Vice President, Advocacy & Strategic Initiatives
Gary Doran
TARTA, Manager of Planning & Service Development
John Eckel
Perrysburg Township, Township Administrator
Ed Ewers
Penta Career Center, Superintendent
Joe Fawcett
City of Perrysburg, City Administrator
Nichole Fifer
BGSU, Center for Regional Development, Director
Michael Fuller
Ohio Department of Job & Family Services
David Gedeon
TMACOG, Transportation Director
Wade Gottschalk
Wood County Economic Development Commission (WCEDC), Executive Director
Rex Huffman
Wood County Port Authority, Attorney
Angela Landgraf
Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Assoc. VP of Care Coordination
Kevin Laughlin
City of Northwood, City Administrator
Ryan Lee
Penta Career Center, Assistant Superintendent
Heather Mallette
EnvelopeMart, Director of Human Services
Sam Melden
TARTA, Chief Communications & External Affairs Officer
Allyson Murray
City of Rossford, Administrator
Lucy Myers
La Conexion de Wood County, Executive Director
Jim Oliver
Great Lakes Community Action Partnership, Mobility Management Coordinator
Charlene Page
Owens Community College, Executive Director, of Workforce Development
Zach Schmidt
TARTA, Board Member, Rossford
Carri Stanley
Wood County Commissioners, Administrator
John Stewart
BGSU, Shuttle/Parking Services, Manager
David Takats
Goodwill, Chief Mission Officer
Gary Thompson
JobsOhio, Regional Growth Partnership, Vice President & Northwest Ohio Director
Lori Tretter
City of Bowling Green, Administrator
TBD
First Solar
Martha Woelke
City of Bowling Green, Director of Administrative Services, Community Development
Jeremy Zilmer
BGSU, Dean of Students
Contact
For more information contact
Kali Sawaya, Transit Planning Project Manager
1127 Central Ave.
Toledo, Ohio 43610
419-820-3507