Washington, D.C. - The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is requesting $16 billion in direct emergency funding for public transit agencies across the country, in response to the costs and revenue losses expected as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

In major metropolitan areas, the loss of ridership is expected to cost tens of millions of dollars per month, along with millions more in expenses related to combating COVID-19.

The agency's $16 billion request would assist in offsetting estimated losses, including $7.65 billion in lost farebox revenue, $6.25 billion in dedicated sales tax revenue, $1.75 billion in direct costs such as vehicle and facilities cleaning, and $350 million in restart costs associated with restarting operations.

 
In order for the funding to become available, Congress must approve APTA's request.

Kansas - State legislators passed a $10 billion transportation infrastructure plan renamed The Eisenhower Legacy Plan that will span 10 years of scheduled projects.

This plan allows for the maintenance and improvement of roads and highways in Kansas. It includes a mandate that all stalled T-Works projects must be completed before any new construction can begin in T-Works project districts, as well as a requirement for projects to be reviewed every two years instead of every 10 years under the state's previous transportation plan.

The total cost over the life of the Eisenhower Legacy Plan remains at about $10 billion over a decade, and still includes language that would allow the Department of Transportation to fund certain highway projects using dollars collected from turnpike tolls. Additionally, there is still funding for broadband infrastructure grants and improvements to the state's short line railroad system.

Officials said six T-Works projects will be let in 2020. One of those projects benefiting from the new approach is a $23.04 million expansion of US-69 that will widen the road to four lanes in Crawford County. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2020.

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $2.7 billion in available funding for State Revolving Funds (SRFs) to assist with surface water and drinking water infrastructure projects. Of the total, more than $200 million will go to Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

This year, the EPA is providing the New England states with more than $120 million for projects that address stormwater and aging wastewater infrastructure and implement water reuse and recycling. Another $80 million is allotted to projects that install treatments for contaminants, remove lead distribution lines, and improve system resiliency.

All funding is provided through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs, which calls for states to contribute an additional 20 percent to match federal grants.

New Hampshire - To move critical offices out of the Rockingham County Superior Court building, officials are proposing to build a new $44 million corrections center that would include a drug treatment facility.

The new building would house the county attorney's office, sheriff's office, registry of deeds, a new dispatch center, and a community corrections facility that would provide improved drug treatment programs. Up to 80 beds could be included in the corrections facility, allowing for men and women to participate in 90- or 120-day treatment programs.

The current building is at capacity, and lacks an interview room, space for evidence storage, and adequate training areas.

If the new building is included in the fiscal year 2021 budget, a vote is expected in the coming months. If approved, a public hearing would likely occur in January 2021.

New Jersey - The state's Department of Transportation (NJDOT) will award more than $28.8 million in rail freight grants and $30.1 million in Local Freight Impact Fund (LFIF) grants.

The freight rail grants help support economic activity by preserving and improving the existing freight transportation system and by making freight rail service more widely available for businesses throughout the state. Rail freight improvements support the state's clean energy, congestion mitigation, and sustainable development goals.

Thirteen projects that are receiving funding are in 12 counties and include constructing new sidetracks for loading and unloading, upgrading and repairing existing railroad tracks, installing new or upgraded switches, and repairing bridges and culverts. Among the initiatives are the $7.43 million improvement project at the Barzano Marine Terminal at the Port of Camden and the $8.45 million project to upgrade a rail facility in the Woodbridge Township. 

The LFIF program helps New Jersey's municipalities fund projects that emphasize and enhance the safe movement of large truck traffic, renew aging structures that carry large truck traffic, promote economic development, and support new transportation opportunities.

Of the applications received, there are 17 grants being awarded to 10 municipalities and six counties, with one county receiving two grants. Of the 17 projects, there are two truck safety and mobility projects, two new construction projects and 13 pavement preservation projects.

Under the program, projects that fall into four categories are eligible for funding: bridge preservation, new construction, pavement preservation, and truck safety and mobility.

Gloucester County will receive a $4 million grant that will go toward construction of a Route 44 Truck Bypass and Du-Pont Port Access Road. Middlesex County also will receive $8 million total to put toward improvements to Woodbridge Avenue and Mill Road and to Cranbury Road Corridor.

South Dakota - The Brookings City Council will discuss whether to draft a public request for proposals (RFP) for development of a hotel at the Swiftel Center.

It's estimated that revenues produced by the hotel would be reinvested into the Swiftel Center, which would limit the amount of money that would be required from the city's capital improvement and general funds.

Several studies have been performed, which have identified the need to provide expanded conference and meeting facilities at the Swiftel Center, in order to elevate Brookings as a major destination for events.

Should an RFP occur later this year, any interested parties can contact the Development Review Team for more information about the property.

Michigan - The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) will provide economic assistance to small businesses throughout the state that have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Recent approval of the Michigan Small Business Relief Program authorized the MEDC to provide up to $10 million in small business grants and $10 million in small business loans to support businesses with significantly reduced cash flow and workforce support.

Grant funding will be provided to local or nonprofit economic development organizations, which will allocate up to $10,000 to each small business facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. To qualify for grant funding, businesses must be involved in an industry outlined in Executive Order 2020-9, have 50 employees or fewer, require working capital to support common expenses, and demonstrate an income loss resulting from the outbreak.

Loans will be provided to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), or licensed small business association (SBA) not-for-profit institutions, or directly to eligible borrowers. Loans will come with low interest rates and flexible repayment terms, and must be for $50,000 or more, up to $200,000. To qualify for loan funding, businesses must be involved in an approved industry listed in the executive order or provide goods and services to companies in the aforementioned, have fewer than 100 employees, require working capital to support common expenses, demonstrate an inability to access credit through alternative sources, and demonstrate an income loss resulting from the outbreak.

Funds will be available until April 1.

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Build America Bureau is seeking input for the development of a Regional Infrastructure Accelerators program.

A request for information (RFI) has been issued, and the program aims to help communities across the nation to create improved infrastructure priorities and financing strategies for accelerated development of projects eligible for funding under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA).

The RFI is seeking information about the most effective, transparent, and expedient ways to create and deliver the program. Respondents should address issues related to the program's structure, geographic diversity, qualification requirements, approach, and measures of success.

Regional infrastructure accelerators developed through the program will serve defined geographic areas, and will serve as a resource to qualified entities in accordance with the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.

Responses are due by March 28. Only the first 10 pages of each response will be reviewed.

Massachusetts - The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) approved a series of special permits and variances allowing the city of Chelsea to move forward with a project to redevelop the former Salvation Army building at 440 Broadway. 

The city can now issue a request for proposals (RFP) seeking a firm to develop the building into a mixed-use site.

Plans call for a five-story building to be constructed that will include 16 residential units, along with 2,400 square feet of retail space on the first floor, and a total of eight parking spaces. Affordable housing will be emphasized for the residential units, which will be two-bedroom units of 600 to 800 square feet. Proposals that include home ownership opportunities will be considered more highly.

Officials will proceed with gathering input from the community, and finalizing the RFP and evaluation criteria. A recommendation committee will then be selected to recommend a final proposal.