Bio
In April 2012, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation entered an agreement with OARC to oversee development of the regional transportation planning process and the regional public participation process in the non-metropolitan areas of the state. Three Councils of governments were selected as pilot projects: SWODA, NODA, and COEDD. The goals of the RTPO are to provide a regional forum for cooperative decision making about transportation issues and to serve as liaison between the local governments and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. The exposure of the RTPO through Oklahoma Association of Regional Councils has allowed for an interest in collaborating planning among county commissions, mayors, circuit engineering districts, ODOT Division Engineers, city officials, business owners, and local citizens.
Functions
Transportation Plans, Mapping, Community Improvement
Tasks
Provide technical assistance to local municipalities, create a forum for public participation, coordinate plans and programs with other organizations.
Counties in the Region
Pottawatomie County
Seminole County
Hughes County
Okfuskee County
Lincoln County
Payne County
Pawnee County
Plans
All county plans have been completed and the Long Range Transportation Plan is in process currently.
Recreational Trails Program
The Recreational Trails Program is a reimbursable grant, meaning the project sponsor must pay all project costs as they are incurred. Sponsors then may request reimbursement for 80% of eligible expenses up to the amount approved for the project. All costs must be incurred and paid by the project sponsor during the project period as identified in the approved Project Agreement. Any project expenses incurred or paid by the sponsor before or after the project period will not be eligible for reimbursement or project match.
The federal act outlines a formula for state grant spending: 30% of the funds are reserved for uses related to motorized trail recreation, 30% are for uses related to non-motorized trail recreation, and the remaining 40% is discretionary for “diversified” trail use that gives preference to project proposals which 1) provide for the greatest number of compatible recreational trail purposes, or 2) provide for innovative recreational trail corridor sharing to accommodate motorized and non-motorized recreational trail use.
The Recreational Trails Program limitsthe amount granted for any individual project in one application period to a maximum grant amount set at the beginning of each funding cycle. This year the maximum grant amount is $300,000.00 (with at least a $75,000.00 match) for total project cost of $375,000.00. An applicantshould notsubmit multiple phasesforthe same park in the same funding cycle. When a sponsor wishes to submit an application for projects located at more than one site, a separate application should be submitted for each projectsite. The exception to this rule will be a single application for trail work of a similar nature on a system of trails in one jurisdiction. (Example: A city proposing new signs for all trails in its area even though the trails are not connected and are at various locations around the city.
Applications must be turned into the:
Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department
Federal Grants Section
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave, Suite 900
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406
Deadline is January 31, 2025, by 4:30 p.m.
TSET Innovations in Built Environment
Two categories of funding: PLANNING, DESIGN, AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND CONSTRUCTION IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS
Purpose This funding opportunity aims to support projects that will positively transform and improve the health of Oklahomans through built environment projects. Proposals must be project-driven, time-limited, have a specific targeted area or population in mind and be supported by multiple partners, and agree to participate in an external evaluation of the project.
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Funding Information • Applications will be accepted for small to medium size projects related to the following two areas:
Planning, Design, and Policy Development Projects
• Total funding: $400,000
• Funding per project: up to $80,000 per project for up to a 12-month period of completion.
• Project start: Must be ready to begin work immediately upon receipt of a fully executed cooperative agreement.
Construction Implementation of Small to Medium Size Projects
• Total funding: $600,000
• Funding per project: up to $100,000 per project per year for up to two years for project completion. Projects must be shovel- ready and begin work immediately upon receipt of a fully executed cooperative agreement. Match is required.
Projects are funded on a reimbursement basis; awarded organizations must be able to expend fund before TSET will reimburse. Grantees are expected to appropriately use at least 95% of awarded funds in a grant year.
Request for Applications Parameters Eligibility
Applicant organizations must be one of the following:
• College or University
• Non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations
• Tribal nations
• Institutions of higher education
• Public agencies and entities of the State of Oklahoma.
• Applicant organizations must have a physical office location within the State of Oklahoma.
Adoption of Workplace Wellness and Tobacco-free Policies
Applicants must submit a copy of their tobacco-free policy and a copy of their workplace wellness policy, signed, and dated, and must complete TSET’s Non-Acceptance of Tobacco Funds certification.
Data-driven Needs and Community Buy-In
All applications must provide evidence of project need by providing locally focused data that have been collected within the last three years to support the project.
Funding Limitations
Overhead, administrative, or indirect costs may be allowable on a funded project, but those costs must be justified and may not exceed 10% of the total award amount.
Cooperative Agreement Periods
Cooperative agreements awarded under this funding opportunity will follow the state fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). Funding is annual and renewable for a second year based on performance, availability of funds, and approval by the TSET Board of Directors.
Funding Area Guidelines and Requirements
1. Planning, Design, and Policy Development of Small to Medium Size Projects Funding is available for studies and designs related to increasing access to healthy foods and changes to the built environment addressing active living infrastructure improvements that can be completed in one years' time.
Funding and Renewals
• Maximum award amount and funding period: $80,000 for one year.
• Maximum number of awards available: 5 at the maximum amount of $80,000; more awards may be made as funding allows. 3
Project Scope of Work
Eligible planning and design small to medium size projects may include the following types, or projects similar to these types:
• Streetscape designs, and upgrades or revisions to a portion of an existing comprehensive plans.
• Master plans addressing parks and open spaces.
• Plans for trails, paths, and wayfinding.
• Bicycle and pedestrian safety (walkability and bikeability assessments).
• Plans and designs for safe routes to schools, parks, or grocery stores, or guidelines
2. Construction Implementation of Small to Medium Size Projects Funding is available for small to medium size construction implementation projects that make changes to the built environment to increase the number of people engaged in moving more or eating healthy—or both. To increase awareness and use of the finished product or structure, the application must provide a strategy for promoting its completion and use by the public.
Funding and Renewals
• Maximum award amount and funding period: $100,000 per year, for up to 2 years
• Maximum number of awards available: 6 in the amount of $100,000; more awards may be made as funding allows.
• Matching requirement: Match is required for areas of 10,000 population or greater.
Project Scope of Work
Examples include but are not limited to the following types of new or enhanced, small to medium size construction implementation projects:
• Improvements and renovations to farmer’s markets, mobile market, or food hubs.
• Sidewalk infrastructure improvements and pedestrian crossings.
• Traffic calming measures, such as flashing lights for pedestrian safety, crosswalks, speed bumps, changes to school student drop off and pick up zones, etc.
• Enhancement and expansion of parks and public spaces for people of all ages.
• Enhancement and expansion of existing walking and biking networks.
• Pedestrian wayfinding signage.
Key Dates
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November 19, 2024 Launch of Funding Opportunity
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December 20, 2024 Last Day to Submit Questions
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February 12, 2025 Applications Due
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May 2025 Board Decision & Award Late
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May 2025 Applicants Notified of Award Decisions
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August 1, 2025 Grant Start Date
Transportation Educational Development for K-12
The Office of Administration (HAD) supports efforts to build awareness and interest in future careers in transportation among K-12 students. Programs and products help provide the skills necessary to succeed as members of tomorrow's transportation workforce. The HAD also manages activities that integrate transportation into college and university programs striving to increase the number of post-secondary students interested in pursuing transportation-related careers. The HAD provides management, leadership, and coordination for student transportation education programs to support the development of highly skilled individuals for the transportation workforce.
The Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education Program improves the preparation of students, particularly women and minorities, in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through curriculum development and other activities related to transportation. As the nation's need for a highly skilled, diverse, and multi-disciplinary transportation workforce continues to grow, the program hopes to "Prepare today's youth to become tomorrow's transportation professionals." The program:
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Builds a bridge between America's youth and the transportation community
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Improves elementary and secondary (K-12) level students' skills in STEM through curriculum development, internships, mentoring programs, and other transportation-related activities
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Facilitates partnerships among government, academia, and the private sector
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Increases the understanding of the transportation industry and careers, and advancing transportation workforce development
RAISE Grant
Program Overview
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program provides grants for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors, including state and local governments, counties, Tribal governments, transit agencies, and port authorities, to pursue multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to fund through other grant programs.
The RAISE program, previously known as the Better Utilizing Investments, to Leverage Development (BUILD) and Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grants, was established under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and operated under annual appropriations acts until authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) in November 2021.
As of June 2024, the program has awarded more than $15 billion over sixteen rounds to local governments, Tribes, transit and port authorities, states, and other entities for capital and planning projects that will improve safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility and community connectivity, economic competitiveness, state of good repair, partnership and collaboration, and innovation.
