If you missed the Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Grant Program NOFO webinar, good news - the recording and slides are now up on our website. Don't miss out on this opportunity to get funding for your community's transportation infrastructure projects at NO MATCH! Deadline to apply is Jan. 9, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. Watch the webinar recording (passcode: Y6Mh&zqk): https://lnkd.in/e-hxiN2a View the presentation: https://lnkd.in/eaBZyZsc Learn more about the RIA program: https://lnkd.in/eMbyYaer

The Bureau and Federal Highway Administration Seek Public Comment on Proposed Guidance to Evaluate Alternative Project Delivery Approaches    The Build America Bureau (Bureau) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published guidance in the Federal Register to help the public understand statutory requirements to evaluate the appropriateness of using alternative approaches to deliver infrastructure projects. The guidance collates the requirements cited in four laws, does not contain any new criteria, does not impose any new legal requirements, and has no legal effect.   The Bureau and FHWA are seeking comments through the Federal Register from the public before finalizing the Value for Money (VfM) guidance document. The Bureau and FHWA can support public entities interested in evaluating alternative approaches for delivering transportation infrastructure through direct technical assistance. Read the guidance: https://lnkd.in/dnSDPpaG American Planning Association AIAI - The Association for the Improvement of American Infrastructure American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) American Public Transportation Association Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Build America Center National Governors Association National Association of Counties National League of Cities Transportation Research Board National Conference of State LegislaturesUnited States Conference of Mayors Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Global Infrastructure Investor Association (GIIA) IBTTA National Center for Privatization & PPP P3 Bulletin AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) U.S. DOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center Project Delivery Center of Excellence Federal Transit Administration WAPPP | World Association of PPP Units & Professionals

In recent years, “braiding” and leveraging funds has been a popular solution to maximize economic and social opportunities and resources, especially for underserved communities. But what does that exactly look like on the ground?     In October, the Thriving Communities Network convened Mount Vernon, WA’s former Mayor Jill Boudreau, Director of Transport New Hampshire Steve Workman, and Senior Transportation Analyst at FTA’s Office of Rural and Targeted Programs Danielle Nelson to discuss what braiding and leveraging funds truly looks like at the federal, state, city, and local level. The panel, moderated by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Special Advisor for Implementation Amy Kenyon, provided real-life examples of braiding funds in Washington and New Hampshire and demonstrated how the Federal Transit Administration provides resources to help communities “braid” federal funds (using multiple funding streams separately and simultaneously to provide specific services toward a shared goal) through its Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM). ----------------- The Thriving Communities Network (TCN) is a network of 12 federal agencies, co-chaired by DOT and EPA that coordinates and deploys place-based technical assistance and capacity-building resources. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/eyWz2-vf

Happy Veteran's Day and we thank you for your service!

Sharing this announcement from the BAC. Looks interesting!

“It’s one thing to be awarded discretionary funding, but it’s a whole different ball game to actually manage, plan, get a seat at the table, and see projects through to the end. As [technical assistance] providers, you all are the key piece to this puzzle, helping unlock federal opportunities for communities that have historically been underserved. The direct support you are providing creates an opportunity to build community wealth and center communities’ voices in decisions that directly impact them.”    At the Thriving Communities Network Convening in October, Acting Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy Christopher C. conveyed how technical assistance (TA) and federal interagency collaboration have and continue to support communities’ ability to thrive to a crowd of TA providers and federal staff from across 12 federal agencies at U.S. Department of Transportation HQ.      To date, Thriving Communities Network (TCN)-affiliated programs have provided nearly $2 billion in place-based technical assistance to support underserved communities in urban, rural, and tribal areas across the nation.   --------------- The Thriving Communities Network (TCN) is a network of 12 federal agencies, co-chaired by DOT and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that coordinates and deploys place-based technical assistance and capacity-building resources. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/eyWz2-vf

Great news! $10 million in no-match grants are available through the Regional Infrastructure Accelerator program - check out the notice of funding opportunity: https://lnkd.in/ejsgWYbU. Register for the webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET: https://lnkd.in/efjsVR58 Learn about application criteria and how your regional projects could get a big boost to move forward. Please contact RIA@dot.gov to make an accommodation request.

The Bureau was delighted that many members of our talented team were recently recognized as part of the Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy Employee awards. U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg and Acting Under Secretary Christopher C. spoke and helped present the awards with Rosalyn G. Millman (pictured right in photos). Congratulations to our incredible employees: Tom Augustin, who received a Making A Difference award, victor austin, who received a Making A Difference award, Monica Guerra, Ph.D. (on screen), who received a Leadership Excellence award, Andrew Harnage, who received a Making A Difference award, Tanya Langman, who received a Leadership Excellence award, Lisa Leone, (not pictured at awards, portrait photo included) who received an Extra Mile award, Kathryn Potenza-Arnold, who received an Extra Mile award, Carl Ringgold, who received two awards - a Distinguished Individual award and a Making a Difference award, Sharece Tyer, MS, MBA, who received a Distinguished Individual award, Melvin Waldrop, who received a Making A Difference award, Sarah Williams, who received a Making A Difference award, and Susan Wilson, AICP (on screen), who received an Extra Mile award. Below are photos from the awards ceremony held last week. Several of our team members participated remotely and are pictured on screen. #employeerecognition

Our Executive Director has pointed out a report recently posted to the website. Check it out and see how it has grown. While the Bureau was created in 2016, the TIFIA financing program is more than 25 years old - and has evolved during that time. Most recently, with BIL, TIFIA can finance airport and transit-oriented development projects. We are excited to support new types of projects and advance investment in communities across the U.S.

Congratulations to BART on closing a $544 million TIFIA loan that is part of a $2.2 billion upgrade of 775 train cars throughout their system. The Bureau team was pleased to work with them and to support this important project to improve customer service and safety with their "fleet of the future." Read the news release: https://lnkd.in/evnc-Mmr The loan allows BART to use other funds to invest in a new police headquarters building, further enhancing service and safety.