ST. PAUL, Minn. – Workshops providing application
information for non-profits and public entities interested in available federal
funding for lift-equipped vehicles and community mobility management projects,
are scheduled for the following dates and locations:
·
Mankato,
MNDOT office, May 20, 1 to 4 p.m.
·
Baxter,
MNDOT office May 22, 1 to 4 p.m.
·
St.
Paul, Hiway Federal Credit Union, June 2, 1- 4 p.m.
The federal program
is designed to encourage applicants to develop innovative transportation solutions
to meet the needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities in their
community. Some examples of eligible activities are mobility management, ride
coordination, vehicle sharing and marketing and education. Eligible applicants
must be one of the following:
·
A
private non-profit corporation or association
·
A
public body, e.g. a municipal hospital, approved by MNDOT to coordinate transit
services
·
A
public body (city or county), which certifies to MNDOT that a non-profit
corporation or association is not available in area to provide transit service
The workshops explain the processes where
the federal program provides 80 percent of the funding to purchase the
lift-equipped vehicles while the remaining 20 percent is provided from local
sources. Federal funding will provide:
·
Vehicles
for seniors and individuals with disabilities
·
Mobility
management and travel training
The potential applicants for this
program must:
·
Provide
new transportation options for seniors and individuals with disabilities in
their community
·
Develop
strong partnerships with other transportation providers and demonstrate
financial responsibility
·
Have
the capacity to properly execute the program, including ongoing operating funds
·
Projects
must be aligned with state coordination plans
