Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) Formula Grant Funds Available for 2019-21; Applications due February 15, 2019

Funding is available from the new Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) for project applications to the STIF Advisory Committee. Approximately $4 million is available and no match is required.

Eligible project applicants are Oregon Public Transportation Providers providing services within Benton County, which may include transit districts, transportation districts, Indian Tribes, cities, counties, special districts, and other public agencies engaged in providing public transportation services. Nonprofit and for-profit transit providers are not eligible. However, eligible applicants may contract with a non-profit or for-profit entity to provide transportation services under an approved grant.

Eligible projects will expand or improve public transit services within one or between communities inside and adjacent to Benton County.

Per state statute, a high priority will be placed on projects which serve areas of the County with a high concentration (above 35%) of low-income households. Low-income households are those with an annual income of 200% or less of the current federal poverty limit. Other priorities include improving service between communities, increasing coordination between Public Transportation Service Providers, and projects that expand transit service for students in grades 9 to 12.

Applicants must complete an application form and make a brief presentation to the STIF Advisory Committee. The Committee will evaluate eligible projects for potential inclusion in the Benton County STIF Plan and forward a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. The Board’s recommendation with be forwarded to the Oregon Department of Transportation for review by the statewide Public Transit Advisory Committee. Decisions regarding project eligibility and prioritization are the purview of the STIF Advisory Committee, and shall be considered final subject to Board of Commissioners approval.   

Copies of the project application packet, and questions about the packet or process may be addressed to Lisa Scherf, Transportation Services Supervisor at the City of Corvallis, by email at Lisa.Scherf@corvallisoregon.gov, or by telephone at 541-754-1759.

Electronic copies of the ODOT general guidance documents for this program may be obtained at the website:  https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/RPTD/Pages/Funding-Opportunities.aspx