Eager about utilizing federal infrastructure funds for a cool lively transportation venture? You’re in luck, as a result of the Oregon Division of Transportation’s Modern Mobility Program (IMP) is now accepting grant purposes, and organizations throughout the state can stand up to $5,000 for venture concepts that align with the IMP’s targets.
The IMP is a brand new statewide initiative funded by the President Biden’s Infrastructure Funding and Jobs Act (IIJA) that “goals to enhance entry to public transportation, scale back the variety of journeys Oregonians make by automotive, and scale back greenhouse fuel emissions.” Candidates can embody native governments, public transportation suppliers, Tribes and licensed nonprofits who can exhibit their venture thought will “help traditionally excluded teams and will increase social fairness.”
“The IMP has a particular deal with fairness and serving to traditionally excluded teams to get to the place they should go extra rapidly, cheaply and safely,” ODOT states.
ODOT says these IMP grants might fund tasks like bike/scooter lending libraries and share packages, group occasions like Sunday Parkways, security schooling and consciousness packages and extra.
The IMP is the final massive contribution to Oregon’s transportation division from outgoing transportation commissioner Alando Simpson, who got here up with the thought for this system when the OTC was deciding how you can divvy up IIJA cash. Simpson was capable of negotiate $10 million in federal funds for the IMP, and because of state contributions, they’ll have $20 million for this system for 2022-2025.
Transportation and local weather advocates needed to make use of the uncommon inflow of versatile funding the IIJA supplied to fund packages that would cut back Oregonians’ reliance on fossil fuels. Policymakers and activists pushed the OTC to keep away from utilizing IIJA funds for freeway enlargement tasks or different car-oriented tasks. However finally the Fee allotted about an eighth ($50 million) of the versatile federal cash to “full various freeway and interchange enhancements to streamline the motion of products,” a.ok.a. freeway expansions, which Simpson was supportive of.
“I simply must give you one thing extra inventive and set off a brand new market alternative for us to get into cleaner types of transportation,” he mentioned at a gathering again in March. “Like different types of transportation that may tackle our local weather and social challenges.”
The existence of this program exhibits how vital only one member of the OTC may be in shaping Oregon’s transportation system, and why there’s a lot consideration on Governor Kate Brown’s most up-to-date decide.
There’s no deadline for the purposes, as grants shall be awarded on a rolling foundation over the subsequent three years. You could find the applying and extra info on the IMP program web site.
Taylor has been BikePortland’s employees author since November 2021. She has additionally written for Road Roots and Eugene Weekly. Contact her at taylorgriggswriter@gmail.com
