KYOVA is an association of local governments in southwestern West Virginia and southern Ohio that serves as a forum for assessing and acting upon regional transportation problems. The Commission’s goal is to promote cooperation among members, the governments closest to the people, and to maximize their capabilities for solving problems that cannot be solved by any one jurisdiction.

KYOVA was formally organized on October 11, 1968.  Its creation, via interstate compact, was the culmination of years of thought initiated in 1965 with the beginning of the Huntington-Ashland-Ironton Area Transportation Study (HAIATS). KYOVA was formed from HAIATS to coordinate and administer transportation planning.  To provide a recognized geographical area of activity, in 1966, the Bureau of the Census designated the urbanized area of Huntington-Ashland-Ironton as the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). This area included: Cabell and Wayne Counties, West Virginia; Lawrence County, Ohio; Boyd County, and Green Up Kentucky and the cities of Huntington, West Virginia; Ashland, Kentucky and Ironton, Ohio.  In 1973 and 1981 respectively, the Bureau of the Census expanded the MSA to include the County of Carter, Kentucky.

Under federal law, KYOVA is the “Metropolitan Planning Organization” (MPO) responsible for ensuring wise and coordinated use of federal/state transportation funds.

Commission efforts focus on several key areas:

• maintaining the transportation model
• providing a forum for regional governance
• networking for local government officials
• providing information and data
• partnership and issues facilitation
• planning for transportation needs
• conducting air quality conformity analysis

KYOVA represents regionalism in uniting Cabell and Wayne Counties in southwestern West Virginia and Lawrence County in southeastern Ohio.  Competition in the world economy occurs among regions in the United States and the larger global village,  rather than between central cities and suburbs.  KYOVA is the forum by which the regions decide upon matters concerning transportation as a unified body.  Rather than a regional government,  the process represents regional “governance”  that is, a system by which the various counties, villages, townships, authorities, and districts each with different responsibilities and missions work together as a unified unit to address transportation issues..  As the Metropolitan planning organization KYOVA communities present, a common front to the state governments in Charleston and Columbus and to the federal government in Washington.  Together, area counties and cities form a common alliance to promote a unified transportation system for the area for effective movement of people, goods, and services.

Members participate through committees, task forces, workshops, and seminars.  Some  groups convene state or federal agencies, local governments, private sector representatives, and citizens to work on specific projects, while others meet to investigate evolving regional issues that may affect the future of the transportation system.

One of KYOVA’s best features is that it provides a forum for different types of local governments to meet. Elected and appointed officials are afforded an opportunity to network, develop priorities, and build consensus and direction in planning for their communities' and the region’s future.

We Provide:

• Proposed Changes In The Transportation Network
• Census Information
• Data Maps
• Aerial Photographs
• Special Publications

The Staff is trained in group facilitating, a skill that has been used to produce a long range plan, empower project management teams, and gather a vision of the future.  KYOVA may serve as a neutral party in resolving controversial issues.

As citizens of southwestern West Virginia and southern Ohio, our future livelihoods depend on attracting business and industry to the region.  Among other factors, efficient transportation and a good quality environment are necessary to lure such important economic interests.

KYOVA is responsible for the annual dissemination of millions of dollars in federal transportation funds during any given year to implement specific highway and transit projects.

Whether it’s planning for better transportation or improving air quality, KYOVA continues to examine and act on broad issues affecting our lives in the region.