The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) recently launched the Michigan $15 million Equitable Mobility Challenge and is seeking grant proposals.
The challenge’s goal is to improve quality of life, while increasing equity and accessibility. Proposals should address mobility gaps and improve access to education, jobs, health care, nutritious food, and socialization opportunities.
The Specialized Services Program (SSP) expansion and Solving Mobility Gaps program will provide capital and operating funds. The level of local funding required will increase over a three-year period. In the fourth year, eligible projects will roll into SSP, and other projects will require other funding sources.
“MDOT was allotted additional funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget for the SSP to prioritize its needs,” Jean Ruestman, MDOT Office of Passenger Transportation administrator, said. “This funding will help expand the program in underserved areas of the state, particularly for senior citizens, individuals with disabilities and veterans. It also will increase reimbursement rates for the existing SSP recipients. One-time funding was also programmed to pilot innovative tools and services to solve mobility gaps that impact equitable access to goods and services.”
The application deadline is April 14 and must be completed on the Mobility Challenge website.