$3 million available in federal transportation funds to support access to jobs
Council will host public workshops Sept. 22 and 23 on application process
ST. PAUL - Sept. 5, 2008 - The Metropolitan Council is announcing the availability of approximately $3 million in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds to support transportation services that improve access to jobs. The funds will be awarded through a competitive solicitation process in the seven-county metro area. The two federal programs that provide funding under this solicitation are Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom.
The solicitation is held every two years and evaluates the benefits of proposed projects, based on criteria that reflect federal program goals and regional transportation priorities and mobility goals included in the region’s Transportation Policy Plan and Transportation Coordination Plan. Projects funded through this process will increase regional mobility and access to jobs for low-income persons, as well as improve regional mobility for people with disabilities.
Approximately $1.8 million is available for allocation in 2009-2010 under the JARC program and approximately $1.4 million is available for allocation in 2009-2010 under the New Freedom program. The funding programs are available to local government agencies, non-profit agencies, public and private providers of public transportation, and tribal governments.
The Metropolitan Council will host two workshops this month for metro-area organizations and transit providers that want to apply for JARC and New Freedom program funding. The workshops will provide an opportunity for service providers to ask questions about the JARC and New Freedom program, funding criteria and the application process in the Twin Cities metro area.
Public workshops:
- Monday, Sept. 22, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Metro Transit, Fred T. Heywood Chambers
570 6th Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55411 - Tuesday, Sept. 23, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Metropolitan Council, Lower Level A
390 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55101
Applications for funding will be available September 8 and must be submitted by late October. Potential applicants are encouraged to review application documents prior to attending the workshops.
Projects the Metropolitan Council selects for funding are included in the region’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and approved by the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) prior to final award.
Copies of the application package will be available by calling the program administrator, Cole Hiniker, at (651) 602-1748 or visiting the Council’s JARC information page online.
The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county Twin Cities area. The Council runs the regional bus and light rail system, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The Council board is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor.
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