PRESS RELEASE Surface Transportation Block Grant Program

PRESS RELEASE Surface Transportation Block Grant Program

Apply Now for OVRDC’s Surface Transportation Block Grant Program

WAVERLY, OH The Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC) is now accepting applications to the Regional Transportation Planning Organization Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG).

House Bill 54 of the 135th Ohio General Assembly allocated funding for the Regional Transportation Planning Grant Program to assist rural communities with transportation projects. Each Regional Transportation Planning Organization in Ohio received an allocation of STBG funding for state fiscal years 2026 and 2027, and the application period is now open.

“The launch of the RTPO Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program has helped us implement the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Transportation Plan by providing financing for local projects. The last investment round of $1.19 million helped leverage a total investment of nearly $6 million and provided funding for three regional projects which may not have happened without this program,” said Stephanie Gilbert, Executive Director of OVRDC.

The OVRDC STBG allocation can be used for roadway projects that occur on federal-aid eligible routes. Exceptions to that rule include bike/ped, transit, safety, and non-highway freight projects. If you are unsure whether a project is located on a federal-aid eligible route, please consult the OVRDC Federal Aid Route map on our website.

“The STBG program has been an enormous benefit to the region, helping to fund 17 projects in the last four fiscal years. These projects have contributed to safer and better transportation infrastructure in our area and with the reauthorization, we expect this to continue into the future,” said Jacob Taylor, OVRDC Transportation Planning Specialist.

Go online for more details or to apply: Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program – OVRDC and for questions regarding the STBG program, contact Jacob Taylor, OVRDC Transportation Planning Specialist.

Applications are due May 15, 2025, by 12pm. Electronic or hard copies will be accepted. Applications must be received in our office by deadline date and time.

Some details of the program include:

  • Any phase of construction is eligible.
  • Project must be in one of our RTPO member counties which include:  Adams, Brown, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, rural portion of Lawrence (not covered by KYOVA), Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton.
  • Project must be listed in the OVRDC 2045 Comprehensive Transportation Plan.  If you have a project that is not included in the plan, please contact jtaylor@ovrdc.org to discuss getting the project added in future updates.
  • Funding will be on a re-imbursement basis.
  • 10% local match will be required.
  • Maximum award amount is $200,000 for preliminary engineering and $500,000 for construction.
  • Applications may be submitted electronically via email to jtaylor@ovrdc.org or by mail to OVRDC, 75 Progress Drive, Waverly, OH 45690.

OVRDC anticipates issuing another round of STBG funding sometime later this year.

 

About OVRDC

Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC) is a regional planning commission and Local Development District (LDD) dedicated to the development of Southern Ohio, providing multi-jurisdictional planning and economic development, administrative, professional and technical assistance to local governments, nonprofits, communities and citizens in a twelve-county region. More information at www.OVRDC.org.

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