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Last year, Secretary Buttigieg announced a reimagining of 2009 BUILD (also known as TIGER) program under a brand new name, Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE), with an increased focus on equity and sustainability. RAISE funds innovative, transformational projects that advance environmental efficiencies, improve transportation outcomes for underserved communities, and address critical needs in community transportation infrastructure.
This year, the RAISE program has expanded in size, from $1B to $1.5B in discretionary grants for transportation capital and planning projects. Of this, $75M will be awarded for planning grants, and at least $15M will be awarded for projects in areas of persistent poverty or historically disadvantaged communities. RAISE awards are for a minimum of $5M for urban projects, $1M for rural projects, and a maximum of $25M for any project. Unlike last year, minimums apply to planning projects as well.
The RAISE program redesigned the BUILD grant program to focus on Secretary Buttigieg’s priorities of sustainability and equity. This year’s grant program places additional emphasis on advancing equity, including at the planning phase, and addressing the disproportionate environmental impacts of transportation on disadvantaged communities. Another new focus for this year is workforce development, particularly how projects will create good-paying jobs with high labor standards.
Applicants should consider how their project reduces emissions, particularly in disadvantaged communities; improves access to jobs and other essential services; improves safety; and reduces barriers to transportation. In addition, applicants should think about how to deploy innovations in technology, project management, or financing, and partner with a variety of stakeholders. Below we’ve outlined a few examples of RAISE grant projects where Via could support with our expertise in TransitTech and innovative transit operations:
- A station or other multi-modal hub improvement project that considers street design to improve access, first-and-last mile connectivity, or electrification infrastructure.
- A traditional highway improvement project that includes congestion mitigation or road use charging.
- A transit-oriented development project that includes microtransit in an area of persistent poverty or in a community of color.
- Electrification of a microtransit service.
If you’re working on a similar project to the ones listed above and thinking of applying for a RAISE grant, please reach out to our team at partnerships@ridewithvia.org. We can work with you to incorporate industry-leading transit and transportation technology into your application.
To learn more about the RAISE grants, please see the Notice of Funding, press release, and webinar schedule. Applications are due on April 14, 2022.
