Thriving Communities Program LOI Deadline Reminder, FHWA Environmental Excellence Awards & Joint Office EV Webinars

 

USDOT Thriving Communities Program LOI Deadline Reminder 

 

The Thriving Communities Program (TCP) provides intensive technical assistance to under-resourced and disadvantaged communities to help them identify, develop, and deliver transportation and community revitalization opportunities. Those communities receive in-kind support from Capacity Builders funded through the TCP to prepare grant application materials and undertake pre-development and project delivery activities including deploying innovative community engagement, workforce development, and clean technology strategies. There is no cost for communities to receive support through the program.

 

Earlier this year, DOT announced that four Capacity Builder teams received $21.15 million to provide technical assistance to 64 communities. For the FY 2023 round, there is up to $22 million available in cooperative agreements for Capacity Builders to provide technical assistance, planning, and capacity building support to selected communities. DOT has also added a Thriving Communities Regional Pilot Program set-aside to which states, Tribes, and regional planning organizations can apply to provide TCP support at a state or regional scale to communities within their jurisdictions. This year, DOT anticipates funding at least four pilots at approximately $1 million each. 

 

The Call for Letters of Interest (LOI) for communities seeking support from the program is open until November 15 while the NOFO for Capacity Builders is open until November 28. The Call for Letters of Interest is intended for teams of community partners that may lack the staffing or technical expertise to scope, fund, and develop infrastructure projects that advance broader community goals. Selected communities will receive two years of deep-dive assistance to help them plan and develop a pipeline of comprehensive transportation, housing, and community revitalization activities as well as three years of peer learning opportunities through assigned Communities of Practice. LOIs must be submitted via webform by 4:59 PM ET on November 15, 2023. 

 

The NOFO for Capacity Builders will provide funding for organizations to provide technical assistance, planning and capacity building support to recipients under the Thriving Communities Program. Capacity Builders are encouraged to apply as a team and may include non-profits, philanthropic organizations, and other qualified technical assistance providers including academic and for-profit organizations. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by 4:59 PM ET on November 28, 2023.

 

For questions, please contact ThrivingCommunities@dot.gov and join the final virtual "Office Hours" session on Wednesday, November 8 from 3:00-4:00 PM ET, Zoom link here.

 

 

 

FHWA's Environmental Excellence Awards Deadline Extended!

 

FHWA has extended the deadline for the 2024 Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Environmental Excellence Awards to November 17, 2023. The biennial Environmental Excellence Awards (EEA) program recognizes outstanding transportation projects, processes, and partners that incorporate environmental stewardship into the planning and project development processes using FHWA funding sources. We accept nominations for any project, process, group, or individuals involved in a project or process that has used FHWA funding sources to make an outstanding contribution to transportation and the environment. If you have any questions please contact EEAwardsNomination@dot.gov. 

 

 

DOE and DOT's Joint Office of Energy and Transportation EV Webinars

 

Centering Equity in Community-Based E-Mobility Projects: An Expert Panel

Wednesday, November 8 from 2:00-3:30 PM ET

Register here

 

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) will host a webinar on Nov. 8, 2023, 2-3:30 p.m. ET on, “Centering Equity in Community-Based E-Mobility Projects: An Expert Panel.” This webinar will provide a preview of five case studies, as well as a report on electric vehicle (EV) program designs and strategies that enhance EV deployment equity to be published by the Joint Office in early fiscal year 2024. The presenters will highlight lessons learned and speak to the importance of engaging with community stakeholders respectfully and identifying their unique needs; cultivating relationships and partnerships; and designing flexible, iterative programs, and incorporating learnings into future projects. 

 

 

EV Charging Resources and Technical Assistance for Tribal Nations

Wednesday, November 15 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET

Register here

 

The Joint Office will host a webinar on Nov. 15, 2023, 2-3 p.m. ET on resources and technical assistance available to Tribal Nations for EV charging infrastructure projects. The webinar will focus on Tribal EV initiatives through the White House Council on Native American Affairs, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rural EV Toolkit, as well as updates to the Joint Office Tribal Nations Resource and Technical Assistance page specific to Tribes from the Rural EV Toolkit that includes tribal specific EV funding opportunities, resources, and success stories.

 

 

Visit the DriveElectric.gov webinar page for upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars.

 

 

---

The Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) Initiative aims to address disparities in rural transportation infrastructure by disseminating resources on its website and providing technical assistance. If you want to learn more about ROUTES, or how it can help your community, you can reach the ROUTES team at rural@dot.gov.