The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) are issuing a joint Call for Projects for the RTA’s Community Planning program and CMAP’s Local Technical Assistance (LTA) Program. The grants are available to local governments and CTA, Metra and Pace to fund studies to create transit-oriented developments and transit improvements.

Last year, ten applicants received funding totaling $360,000. The recipients, including Bellwood and Tinley Park, were awarded the dollars to work to increase access to transit and revitalize downtown areas. Applications for the Community Planning Program are due by noon on June 26, 2014 and can be found at www.rtachicago.com/applications. Interested applicants can attend an informational session at CMAP, 233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.

The second program seeking applications is the Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program. This new program will fund projects throughout the country by removing barriers to transportation services and expanding transportation mobility options for seniors and persons with disabilities. Interested applicants can attend an informational session at RTA (175 W. Jackson, Suite 1600, Chicago) on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. or visit http://rtachicago.com/5310 to download an application. Applications for the Section 5310 program are due on July 11, 2014 at noon.