GRANTEE WINS STATE AWARD – WE REACH Transit/TACC captures Innovation Award
Aug 25, 2020
Learn about the advent of a REACH bus running from a low-income high-risk neighborhood around Graham Elementary School to fixed stops around the city.
One of the most recent opportunities for additional transportation services was established in 2017 with the advent of a REACH bus running from a low-income high-risk neighborhood around Graham Elementary School to fixed stops around the city. The Transportation Administration of Cleveland County (TACC) was awarded a 2020 NC Department of Transportation MOBI Innovation Award for the REACH Transit Route Project.
The NCDOT MOBI award recognizes projects that impact communities and bring new life to residents in cities and counties in North Carolina. REACH won the MOBI Award for the collaboration of the Partnering for Community Prosperity Committee and several community partners This Committee consists of about 40 agencies, a group of West Shelby Neighbors and Benchmarks from Raleigh. The neighbors came together to find ways to improve access to healthcare, food, pharmacies, and social activities. “The route is one piece of the big picture for that neighborhood,” said Bob Davis, Executive Director of TACC. “This is such an honor to receive this award for our community. Thank you to all of our partners in this project.”
The REACH Transit Route stops include the Shelby CLECO Clinic, pharmacies, DSS, CCHD, Foothills Farmers’ Market, and local grocery stores. This project was established through collaboration from Cleveland County Commissioners, the HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County, Partners Behavioral Health Management and the Transportation Administration of Cleveland County to serve approximately 2500 residents of this west Shelby neighborhood. This bus route is part of the Partnering for Community Prosperity Project established to improve the social determinants of health in this neighborhood. The REACH bus runs on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule every 45 minutes with the last trip of the day beginning at 2:15 PM. This special bus route is free to ride and has been well received by residents needing transportation to those services.
“We are very proud to be a funding partner in this important and innovative community project that meets a major community need,” said Dick Baker, Executive Director of the HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County. “It is very gratifying to see our community collaboration recognized on the state level,” Baker added.
The HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County serves all of Cleveland County with grants to non-profit organizations for creative and sustainable initiatives focused on improving health and wellness for all. For more information, visit www.healthcarefoundationcc.org
To learn more about the REACH Transit Route or TACC call 704-482-6704 or visit www.taccshelbync.com.
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