Advocacy Workshop: Strengthening Your Hometown

Advocacy Workshop: Strengthening Your Hometown

The passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021 unlocked hundreds of millions of dollars of funding for rail and transit infrastructure. However, since the vast majority of this investment will flow through discretionary grant programs that require state and local governments to compete against each other for limited resources, many communities are at risk of missing out on this generational opportunity to revitalize their towns through enhanced passenger rail connections.

This workshop will help participants understand what federal grant programs exist and which projects are eligible, the criteria the U.S. Department of Transportation uses to evaluate applications, and how advocates can collaborate with regional stakeholders to improve your chance of securing funding for your rail corridor and station projects. Specifically, we’ll look at:

· Tools for calculating the economic benefits of intercity rail service, and best practices to ensure your project serves as a catalyst for revitalization and development;

· Strategies for engaging with local and regional stakeholders to build effective political support for your grant applications;

· Special set-asides within U.S. DOT grant programs for rural communities; and

· Financing tools to secure the local funding match required to access these federal grant programs.

SPACE IS LIMITED!  REGISTER TODAY!