ACOG’s transportation and planning services staff have planned a workshop to inform the public about the revival of the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Small Grant Program. At least $200,000 will be available to eligible entities through a competitive grant process.

Back by Popular Demand

The CMAQ Small Grant Program began in 2014, as a pilot program seeking to improve air quality in Central Oklahoma by reducing reliance on single-occupancy vehicle trips. It was suspended in 2016, but is now back by popular demand. Small active transportation and transit infrastructure projects as well as projects focused on congestion relief efforts are all eligible. Examples of eligible projects include bicycle and/or pedestrian signage and pavement markings;  new transit facilities such as lines, stations, stops and terminals; transit equipment; traffic signalization projects; intelligent transportation system (ITS) projects; traffic calming measures and much more.

Workshop

The workshop will be at 10-11:30 a.m., Friday, July 20, in the ACOG Board Room, 4205 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City. Projects eligible for the program can be no less than $20,000, and must be paramount to the CMAQ Improvement Program. Based on federal rules, the program will function as a reimbursement program. Applicants will be required to generate 20 percent of their proposed project budget through local, non-federal funds.

Criteria, Eligibility, Application

According to Jennifer Sebesta, Program Coordinator, ACOG Transportation & Planning Services Division, a set of evaluation criteria was developed to assist in the selection process. “ACOG transportation staff will review the grant applications and the applications will be graded on factors including the grant’s potential to meet stated goals of the program,” she said.

Applicants must be located within the boundaries of the Oklahoma City Area Regional Transportation Study (OCARTS), and may include:

• Local governments (towns, cities, and counties)
• Transit agencies
• Public school districts, public schools or public universities (with support from local municipality)
• Tribal governments

Additional Resources

CMAQ Small Grant Program Manual
OCARTS Boundary Map
Online Application Form
Environmental Justice (EJ) Index Ozone Map

Deadline for applications is August 17. For more information, contact Sebesta, (405) 234-2264.