Guide to Local Recovery Update: June 1

The Federal Transit Administration has released a notice of funding for a transit-oriented development grant program, a type of urban planning that clusters jobs, housing, services, and amenities within walking distance of public transportation. Additionally, the National League of Cities has added new resources to help cities better understand two other programs funded by the federal infrastructure law, one for broadband infrastructure and another for energy conservation.

Official guidance for federal transit-oriented development program announced 

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has released new information about the approximately $13 million in funding for transit-oriented development (TOD) authorized by the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act for fiscal year 2022. Transit-oriented development is a type of urban planning that clusters jobs, housing, services, and amenities within walking distance of public transportation. 

The grant program is open to states, local governments, and existing FTA grant recipients. In addition to a matching requirement, applicants must describe how the comprehensive or site-specific planning work prioritizes TOD plans in areas with high incidence rates of homelessness and addresses homelessness holistically through their planning processes. 

The FTA will provide an overview of the program and eligible projects during a June 9 webinar. Applications are due by July 25, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

National League of Cities releases new federal infrastructure law resources

Additionally, the National League of Cities (NLC) has added new resources to its infrastructure resource library to help cities better understand the federal infrastructure law. Two articles dive into new programs funded by the spending package and provide several related resources.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, which received $550 million in new funding, helps advance energy efficiency, clean transportation, and renewable energy projects. Previous iterations of the program provided funding for transportation infrastructure, energy codes, and community-led climate change resilience planning. Official guidance is expected in the fall, but local officials can start preparing now.

NLC also provided information about the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program. Creating more middle-mile infrastructure — the connection between small, local networks and larger, high-capacity networks — is a key part of closing the digital divide. In many communities, a lack of middle-mile infrastructure makes high-speed, reliable broadband unavailable or prohibitively expensive. Applications for the Middle Mile Program are due by Sept. 30, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

City officials looking for additional information about the American Rescue Plan Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or additional tools for recovery can visit the Cal Cities Guide to Local Recovery portal.