Notice of Funding Opportunity - Apply today! 

$24 million in funding is available - applications due

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Free Informational Webinar was held Monday, May 1, 2023

View the webinar slides here and WATCH it here (password pFPnm9%?)

View the notice of funding opportunity:

Federal Register: Public Inspection: Funding Opportunity: Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Demonstration Program

Visit Grants.gov Here

Background on the Program

Click the image below for a two-page overview. 

View the informational workshop here:  February 17, 2022 Workshop

*The Bureau provided these training modules to help interested parties better understand the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Demonstration program. These videos represent an overview of the program for educational purposes. They are not intended to replace careful review of the published NOFO. All applications must strictly adhere to the requirements listed in NOFOs.

2022 Accelerators

In fall 2022, the USDOT announced five additional Accelerators to the Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program. Read the release. We are excited to welcome:

• Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA): $750,000
  • The LinkUS Mobility Initiative for Central Ohio has the primary objective of improving mobility systems within COTA’s service area. This includes the development of high-capacity transit corridors, investments in smart mobility options such as first/mile last mile service, and enhanced bus service with increased frequency.
• Dona Ana County, New Mexico: $1.1 million
  • The New Mexico Trade RIA will guide and implement the creation of the New Mexico TradePort through its planning, project structuring, construction and operating stages. This includes building new infrastructure that will accelerate the County and region’s transition to a low carbon economy and developing expansion opportunity for allied trade and transportations service providers.
• Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, Texas: $454,842
  • The Panhandle Regional Planning Commission (PRPC) proposes to establish an RIA within the organization in order to identify project specific outcomes and delivery methods. This includes a rail revitalization project and road modernization project directly linked to economic and social growth opportunities in 40+ rural Texas panhandle counties.
• Resilient SR 37 Program, CA: $1.5 million
  • The Metropolitan Planning Commission will lead a comprehensive effort to address congestion, flood protection, sea-level rising issues and connections to transit and rail options along a 20-mile route of State Route 37 (SR 37). The 20-mile stretch of highway traverses a rural area that is vital to both rural and disadvantaged communities in the Sonoma and Napa counties.
• Suffolk County, NY Midway Crossing Project: $1 million
  • The Midway Crossing project will construct a multimodal transportation hub, including connections between air and rail service, in a mixed-use commercial development space. This will include a biotech/life science office complex, 300-room hotel and 300,000 square-foot convention center.

Background

The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, enacted in December 2015, authorized the establishment of a Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Demonstration Program to assist entities in developing improved infrastructure priorities and financing strategies for the accelerated development of a project that is eligible for funding under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program under Chapter 6 of Title 23, United States Code.

The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, enacted on December 20, 2019, appropriated $5 million for this Program.

2021 Selected Regional Infrastructure Accelerators

1. Fresno Council of Governments, Fresno, CA: $1 million

• Two Rail Intermodal Complexes; Roadway Access and Interchange Improvements; Truck Mobility Complex

2. Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Chicago, IL: $1 million

• Bridge Rehabilitations; ADA Transitions; Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

3. Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, Cleveland, OH: $295,000  

• Intermodal Facility; Airport Access Improvement; Improve Road to Healthcare Facility; Pedestrian Connection

4. San Diego Association of Governments, San Diego, CA: $1.47 million

• Regional Rail Infrastructure

5. Pacific Northwest Economic Region, Seattle, WA: $1.235 million

• Rail and Freight Improvements; Seaport Emission Reduction; Highway/Rail Grade Separation

Please see brief update slides from awardees here. 

Statutory Authority

The Regional Infrastructure Accelerator demonstration program takes its authority from the 2015 FAST Act as below:

SEC. 1441. REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE ACCELERATOR DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a regional infrastructure demonstration program (referred to in this section as the "program'') to assist entities in developing improved infrastructure priorities and financing strategies for the accelerated development of a project that is eligible for funding under the TIFIA program under chapter 6 of title 23, United States Code.

(b) Designation of Regional Infrastructure Accelerators.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary may designate regional infrastructure accelerators that will--

• (1) serve a defined geographic area; and
• (2) act as a resource in the geographic area to qualified entities in accordance with this section.

(c) Application.--To be eligible for a designation under subsection (b), a proposed regional infrastructure accelerator shall submit to the Secretary a proposal at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(d) Criteria.--In evaluating a proposal submitted under subsection (c), the Secretary shall consider--

• (1) the need for geographic diversity among regional infrastructure accelerators; and
• (2) the ability of the proposal to promote investment in covered infrastructure projects, which shall include a plan--
  • (A) to evaluate and promote innovative financing methods for local projects, including the use of the TIFIA program under chapter 6 of title 23, United States Code;
  • (B) to build capacity of State, local, and tribal governments to evaluate and structure projects involving the investment of private capital;
  • (C) to provide technical assistance and information on best practices with respect to financing the projects;
  • (D) to increase transparency with respect to infrastructure project analysis and using innovative financing for public infrastructure projects;
  • (E) to deploy pre-development capital programs designed to facilitate the creation of a pipeline of infrastructure projects available for investment;
  • (F) to bundle smaller-scale and rural projects into larger proposals that may be more attractive for investment; and
  • (G) to reduce transaction costs for public project sponsors.

(e) Annual Report.--Not less frequently than once each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes the findings and effectiveness of the program.

(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the program $12,000,000, of which the Secretary shall use--

• (1) $11,750,000 for initial grants to regional infrastructure accelerators under subsection (b); and
• (2) $250,000 for administrative costs of carrying out the program.