The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued a Request for Information (RFI) to receive input from stakeholders about the Thriving Communities Initiative that will launch this fall. This program will provide technical assistance and hands-on planning support for transformative infrastructure projects that serve disadvantaged communities. The U.S. Housing and Urban Development is providing complementary technical assistance as part of the Thriving Communities program to improve the coordination of housing and transportation planning to advance residents’ access to opportunity and increase housing supply.
"Given the historic levels of infrastructure funding we have thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, it is critical that we ensure disadvantaged communities can access those funds," said Deputy Secretary of Transportation Polly Trottenberg. "Through the Thriving Communities Initiative and other programs, the Department of Transportation is committed to collaborating with communities to craft technical assistance programs that meet them where they are and meet their needs -- helping to create efficient, accessible transportation for all communities."
USDOT’s Build America Bureau provides other programs that are aligned with the Thriving Communities program, including technical assistance programs supported through the Reconnecting Communities pilot program, the Rural and Tribal Assistance pilot program and the Asset Concession and Innovative Finance Assistance program.
“[US]DOT wants to hear directly from disadvantaged communities about their most pressing technical assistance and capacity building needs that could be supported by these programs,” said Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy Christopher Coes. “[US]DOT is designing this program to help implement the historic investments from the president’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to ensure that every place has the needed tools to thrive.”
“Together these critical programs will provide support and access to a diverse set of technical assistance providers to work directly with communities as they identify, develop and deliver infrastructure projects that address critical social, economic, environmental, and mobility needs,” said Build America Bureau Executive Director Morteza Farajian.
The RFI is available here.
