RCAP to Support Equitable Rural and Tribal Commercial District Development Through New DOT Program
The Thriving Communities Program seeks to grow the number of communities that successfully compete for historic infrastructure funding
Washington, D.C. (May 15, 2023) – The Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP) will support at least seven under-resourced and disadvantaged communities with two years of no-cost intensive technical assistance to help identify, develop, access funding for and deliver transportation projects.
RCAP will perform this work in partnership with the National Main Street Center/Main Street America (MSA), which was awarded $5.9 million as part of the Thriving Communities Program’s Main Street cohort.
The historic investments we are making in America’s infrastructure must reach the communities that need them the most,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With the new Thriving Communities program, we are helping under-resourced communities better access federal funding for transportation projects that will create jobs, improve safety, and strengthen their economies.”
RCAP will primarily focus on downtowns in rural and Tribal areas to increase their awareness of federal funding opportunities and help them with application assistance and pre-development requirements, prepare community leaders to implement infrastructure and community development projects, and build lasting local capacity for carrying out projects. Subgrants from MSA also will be provided directly to communities over two years, matching technical assistance providers with communities based on assessments and providing customized assistance from application to successful project execution. RCAP will also be using its expertise in water and wastewater and regional collaboration to ensure projects are coordinated, collaborative, affordable and sustainable.
“RCAP is thrilled to be partnering with Main Street America to help rural and Tribal communities plan and achieve transportation projects that improve their quality of life and make them more attractive for investment,” said Olga Morales Pate, CEO of RCAP. “By improving local capacity, these communities will be prepared to successfully pursue bigger projects in the future.”
To read more about the Thriving Communities announcement, see the USDOT’s press release here. For more information on the Thriving Communities Program including selected communities, visit this webpage.
# # #
About RCAP
RCAP is a national non-profit network providing opportunity, assistance, and practical guidance to small communities in all fifty states, U.S. territories, and tribal lands to ensure access to safe drinking water, sanitary wastewater disposal, and economic prosperity for all rural America. RCAP and its more than 350 technical assistance providers work together with rural communities and partners across the country to elevate rural voices and build local capacity to improve quality of life, starting at the tap.
Media Contact: Seth Johnson | [email protected] | 724-986-9341