Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission

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Call for Applications – Multimodal Transportation Grants for Northeast Iowa Communities

1-16-2023

The Transportation Policy Board of Regional Planning Affiliation 1 (RPA-1) in northeast Iowa is announcing the call for applications for Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding for diverse transportation projects in our region and communities. STBG is a federal funding program that requires a 20% local match. Eligible STBG road and bridge projects sponsored by city governments may be swapped for state funding through Iowa DOT’s Swap Program, in which case the 20% local match is not required.

*Note: Iowa’s Transportation Alternatives Program (Iowa’s TAP) is currently on hold as Iowa DOT reevaluates its guidelines and procedures to comply with new requirements in the recent federal infrastructure bill. Prospective applicants are reminded that all projects eligible for Iowa’s TAP funding, including walking and bicycling infrastructure projects, are also eligible for STBG funding.

Eligible applicants include all public agencies and local governments within RPA-1 that have jurisdiction over public rights-of-way for transportation (streets, sidewalks, trails, rural roads, etc.); public transit agencies; and agencies with transportation planning responsibilities. The RPA-1 geographic region includes the Counties of Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek.

The current application cycle is for funding in federal fiscal year (FFY) 2027, which begins on October 1, 2026. Our region is expected to have approximately $3.9 million in STBG funding available for distribution. Applications will be accepted beginning January 31, 2023 and are due by February 28, 2023.

The STBG project application and instructions and a fillable application form can be found here under Additional Files:  uerpc.org/transportation/

Please feel free to contact Aaron Detter with any questions about eligibility, or contact any member of the RPA-1 Technical Committee with specific road or street project questions (contact info included in attached instructions).