Thriving Communities Program Supports Disadvantaged Communities
Newsletter Submission by Blakey & Agnew LLC - Amanda Hampton, Junior Associate
Last year the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) designated the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) a Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA), one of the first in the United States. Recognizing the importance of accelerating infrastructure project delivery, the PNWER RIA actively seeks solutions to infrastructure inadequacies and offers technical assistance to support projects. In addition to the PNWER RIA, USDOT offers other programs providing technical support to help local community-benefitting projects thrive.
One of these programs is the Thriving Communities Program (TCP), which has $25 million in available funding from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 to support communities harmed by environmental, climate, and human health policies. The program will ensure the advancement of infrastructure projects combatting social, economic, and environmental disadvantages.
The TCP will provide two years of technical assistance, planning, and capacity building to support community partners that lack the necessary resources to develop infrastructure projects. For those interested in receiving support from the TCP, there is an opportunity to receive fiscal year 2022 funding by submitting a Letter of Interest. Eligible entities to submit a Letter of Interest include: local, state, or tribal governments including pueblos or villages; U.S. territories; metropolitan planning organizations; transit agencies; and other political subdivisions of state or local governments. Applicants must partner with at least two other organizations. USDOT provided three requirements for the eligible partnering organization: the organization must be a significant implementation partner, be able to supplement local capacity, or be able to ensure that disadvantaged communities are heard. When making selections, USDOT will prioritize applicants that have not previously received federal funding or successfully delivered community projects. USDOT will select up to 30 communities to receive support in the first year of the TCP. The Call for Letters of Interest is available here and the Letter of Interest form is available here. Letters of Interest are due by December 6, 2022.
Further, USDOT is soliciting applications for “capacity builders” interested in providing technical support to selected communities beginning in 2023. The chosen capacity builders will provide three areas of support – delivering individualized technical assistance, planning, and capacity building; establishing and managing a national Community of Practice that ensures projects meaningfully involve the public; and providing targeted technical support. Eligible capacity builder applicants include non-profit organizations; Indian tribes; philanthropic entities; state or local governments and their agencies; or other technical assistance providers that have demonstrated the ability to develop and offer technical assistance, planning, and capacity building. USDOT will award funding amounts between $3.5 million and $6 million to a maximum of six teams. The Notice of Funding Opportunity to apply as a capacity builder is available here. Capacity builder applications are due by November 29, 2022.