U.S. DOT introduces grant navigator tool, Thriving Communities Program

As part of its Thriving Communities Initiative, the U.S. Department of Transportation this month is introducing two new technical assistance and capacity-building resources: a DOT Navigator and the Thriving Communities Program.

The DOT Navigator is a new one-stop shop to access the array of resources across the department that are designed to provide technical assistance and help grantees navigate the grant application, transportation planning, project delivery, funding and financing, and implementation processes. Available now in a beta version, the DOT Navigator includes a set of fact sheets and information to help those new to federal grant programs understand key requirements, gain tips for successful applications, and better navigate commonly required processes and terminology.

Over the coming months, the site will continue to be built out to improve the user interface, enable search functions, and provide additional helpful resources. The DOT Navigator does not provide technical assistance, but makes it easier to find available resources and contacts.

The Thriving Communities Program, set to launch this fall, will provide technical assistance and capacity building to enable under-resourced communities to identify, develop and deliver transformative transportation projects. This includes community planning and project development of infrastructure projects that increase affordable transportation options, enhance economic opportunity, reduce environmental burdens, improve access and quality of life, and provide other benefits to underserved communities.

The DOT is partnering with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which will provide complementary technical assistance to improve the coordination of housing and transportation planning to advance residents’ access to opportunity and increase housing supply.

Program notices of funding opportunity to solicit capacity builders will be published later this fall by each agency.

These efforts are intended to create a pipeline of diverse and transformative community-driven infrastructure projects across the country designed to drive inclusive economic growth, build resiliency, and ensure that every place has a chance to thrive.