USDOT announces funding for technical assistance, capacity building through new Thriving Communities Program

-
BlogOn October 6, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced the availability of funding through the new Thriving Communities program. The program, which was established by the FY 2022 omnibus, will provide up to $25 million through USDOT for eligible entities, including counties, interested in offering and/or receiving technical assistance.USDOT announces funding for technical assistance, capacity building through new Thriving Communities Program
-
Blog
USDOT announces funding for technical assistance, capacity building through new Thriving Communities Program
On October 6, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the availability of funding through the new Thriving Communities program. The program, which was established by the FY 2022 omnibus, will provide up to $25 million through USDOT for eligible entities, including counties, interested in offering and/or receiving technical assistance (TA).
Over two years, the program will provide in-depth TA to counties and other eligible entities struggling with staffing and resource shortages by funding “capacity builders” who will assist communities selected by USDOT throughout the process of a federal grant application. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for capacity builders is open now through November 22, 2022.
USDOT anticipates entering into three or more cooperative agreements with capacity builders funded in the range of $3.5 to $6 million. The NOFO identifies three cohorts the department will use to organize the TA needs of different communities:
- Main Streets focuses on interconnected transportation and other related issues within tribal and rural communities (defined as outside an urbanized area with a population under 50K)
- Complete Neighborhoods focuses coordinating transportation with housing, economic development (must be covered by a Metropolitan Planning Organization)
- Networked Communities focuses on communities located near major transportation assets, like ports and rail facilities, to address issues of mobility, access, housing and others
Alternatively, to apply for assistance through the program, counties may submit a letter of interest by December 6, 2022. Counties are eligible both as recipients and providers under the program at a 100 percent federal cost share for covered activities.
County officials, who are investing billions in infrastructure provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, welcome efforts by our federal partners to improve local competitiveness for federal grant funds. This unique opportunity will enable counties to not only provide critical assistance through partnerships to entities in need, including other counties, it will also provide access to in-depth, hands-on TA from qualified experts for small, rural or otherwise disadvantaged communities. To learn more about the Thriving Communities program, visit USDOT’s program page.
On October 6, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced the availability of funding through the new Thriving Communities program. The program, which was established by the FY 2022 omnibus, will provide up to $25 million through USDOT for eligible entities, including counties, interested in offering and/or receiving technical assistance.2022-10-31Blog2022-10-31
On October 6, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the availability of funding through the new Thriving Communities program. The program, which was established by the FY 2022 omnibus, will provide up to $25 million through USDOT for eligible entities, including counties, interested in offering and/or receiving technical assistance (TA).
Over two years, the program will provide in-depth TA to counties and other eligible entities struggling with staffing and resource shortages by funding “capacity builders” who will assist communities selected by USDOT throughout the process of a federal grant application. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for capacity builders is open now through November 22, 2022.
USDOT anticipates entering into three or more cooperative agreements with capacity builders funded in the range of $3.5 to $6 million. The NOFO identifies three cohorts the department will use to organize the TA needs of different communities:
- Main Streets focuses on interconnected transportation and other related issues within tribal and rural communities (defined as outside an urbanized area with a population under 50K)
- Complete Neighborhoods focuses coordinating transportation with housing, economic development (must be covered by a Metropolitan Planning Organization)
- Networked Communities focuses on communities located near major transportation assets, like ports and rail facilities, to address issues of mobility, access, housing and others
Alternatively, to apply for assistance through the program, counties may submit a letter of interest by December 6, 2022. Counties are eligible both as recipients and providers under the program at a 100 percent federal cost share for covered activities.
County officials, who are investing billions in infrastructure provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, welcome efforts by our federal partners to improve local competitiveness for federal grant funds. This unique opportunity will enable counties to not only provide critical assistance through partnerships to entities in need, including other counties, it will also provide access to in-depth, hands-on TA from qualified experts for small, rural or otherwise disadvantaged communities. To learn more about the Thriving Communities program, visit USDOT’s program page.

About Jessica Jennings (Full Bio)
Legislative Director – Transportation | Rural Action Caucus
Jessica serves as legislative director for transportation and infrastructure, as well as the liaison to NACo's Rural Action Caucus (RAC).More from Jessica Jennings
-
Webinar
National Membership Call: Unpacking Supreme Court Decisions on Waters of the U.S. and Property Tax Forfeiture Laws
Jun. 1, 2023 , 3:00 pm – 3:30 pmJoin NACo for a membership call unpacking these rulings and their implications for county governments moving forward. -
Blog
U.S. Departments of Energy and Transportation announce two funding opportunities for EV charging infrastructure
On May 18, the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, housed under the U.S. Departments of Energy and Transportation, announced $51 million in available funding through the Ride and Drive Electric Program. -
Blog
Pima County leans into innovation to enhance sustainability
This blog post is sponsored by NACo partner American Gas Association. Unlock the potential of wastewater facilities: Transform waste into clean, renewable energy and contribute to your county's sustainability goals. -
Blog
Counties directly eligible for $848 million through new USDOT PROTECT transportation resilience grants
On April 21, Earth Day 2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced the availability of $848 million in FY 2022 and FY 2023 funding for the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Grant Program. -
Blog
Remote building inspections beneficial for rural governments
NACo Partner Resource This blog post is sponsored by NACo partner IBTS. -
Blog
USDOT announces $1.18 billion competitive funding opportunity for local road safety improvements
On March 30, the U.S. Department of Transportation posted a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) competitive grant program.
-
Basic page
Transportation Policy Steering Committee
Responsible for all matters pertaining to federal transportation legislation, funding and regulation and its impacts on county government. This includes highway and bridge development, finance and safety, public transit development and finance, transportation planning, airport development and service, passenger and freight railroads, ports and waterways, freight movement, and research and development of new modes of transportation.pagepagepage<p>Responsible for all matters pertaining to federal transportation legislation, funding and regulation and its impacts on county government.
-
Reports & Toolkits
Implementing Infrastructure Investments at the County Level: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)
As intergovernmental partners, counties play a key role in ensuring the successful interpretation and implementation of the BILReports & Toolkitsdocument100710:00 amReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent jump">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
Contact
-
Legislative Director – Transportation | Rural Action Caucus(202) 942-4264
Related Posts
-
BlogU.S. Departments of Energy and Transportation announce two funding opportunities for EV charging infrastructureMay. 25, 2023
-
BlogPima County leans into innovation to enhance sustainabilityMay. 9, 2023
-
BlogCounties directly eligible for $848 million through new USDOT PROTECT transportation resilience grantsApr. 27, 2023
Related Resources
-
Policy BriefFAA ReauthorizationFeb. 1, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsWhat counties need to know about direct pay in the Inflation Reduction ActJan. 25, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsLegislative Analysis for Counties: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023Jan. 17, 2023
More From
-
Implementing Infrastructure Investments at the County Level: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)
As intergovernmental partners, counties play a key role in ensuring the successful interpretation and implementation of the BIL
Learn More