Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Program (RCN)
Federal Agency
Sub-Department
Federal Highway Administration (FHA)
Purpose
To restore community connectivity by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including to mobility, access, or economic development. Also, to develop anti-displacement policies and community benefit agreements.
Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements
To fund planning activites and capital construction, as well as technical assistance, to restore community connectivity through the removal, retrofit, mitigation, or replacement of eligible transportation infrastructure facilities.
Decarbonization Considerations
The program has the potential to increase pedestrian mobility and bridge barriers to services, employment, and public transit access. Increasing mobility options and transit access can decrease community emissions, encourage transit use, and support multi-modal connectivity.
Equity Considerations
DOT will prioritize technical assistance to economically disadvantaged communities and anticipates focusing on recipients that demonstrate need as underserved, overburdened, and disadvantaged communities. See the "Equity Design Considerations for Federal Funding" for general considerations and additional sector-based resources: https://cityrenewables.org/resources/equity-design-considerations-for-federal-funding/
Helpful Tips
This is a combined funding opportunity for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program (RCP) and the Neighborhood Access and Equity Program (NAE). Applicants can apply for one but if they meet the requirements for both, they can be considered for both programs. MInimum award sizes include $2,000,000 for planning grants and $5,000,000 for construction grants.
Other Notes
DOT will provide technical assistance for grantees and potential grantees under the RCN Program, including through the forthcoming Reconnecting Communities Institute (RCI)12 launching later in 2023.