Toolkit Offers Access To DOT Grant Programs
The United States Department of Transportation has developed an applicant toolkit to provide guidance as part of the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success initiative to support potential applicants in identifying and navigating USDOT discretionary grant funding opportunities for rural transportation projects. The toolkit provides user-friendly information and resources to support rural applicants’ understanding of USDOT discretionary grant programs and the funding process.
According to the organization’s website, the toolkit is designed for all levels of grant applicant experience, aiming to enhance access to USDOT resources for rural transportation projects. Specifically, it illustrates key applicant activities when participating in the USDOT discretionary grants process. It catalogs USDOT discretionary grant programs by applicant type and eligible project activities in a USDOT discretionary grant funding matrix and provides resources for applicants to maximize the potential for award success.
In a recent public letter, U.S. secretary of transportation Elaine L. Chao said, “Every day, Americans take more than one billion trips, which depend on our nation’s transportation infrastructure. Rural transportation networks are an important component of that network, vital to our Nation’s economy and quality of life. They bring manufactured products, agriculture and other commodities to markets. In addition, half of rural passenger vehicle traffic is urban residents traveling to or through rural areas. Nevertheless, rural transportation infrastructure is challenged by disparities in safety and infrastructure condition.”
In the letter, Chao said that the department is focused on rebuilding the country’s infrastructure: “To boost safety, economic growth and quality of life for everyone, the U.S. Department of Transportation is focused on rebuilding and refurbishing America’s infrastructure. Last year, the Department distributed nearly $72 billion to help State and local governments address transportation needs – from roads and bridges to aviation, rail, transit and pipelines.”
Chao said the grant application process can be challenging to navigate, but said the toolkit is designed to make the programs more accessible: “The U.S. has about 89,000 local governments, many of which are grappling with infrastructure needs that are profoundly important to their communities. The federal grant system can be difficult to navigate, especially for newcomers.”
U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced the toolkit July 27 in a press release. “This new toolkit will aid Montana’s rural communities in navigating the complex federal grant process for critical transportation projects and help get our rural communities the funding they need,” said Daines.
For more information on the toolkit, visit transportation. gov/rural.
