U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg: “In the years ahead, these vessels will deliver vital goods, strengthen both our economy and our national security, and create good jobs for American mariners.”
Back in January, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) introduced the award of greater than $384.4 million in federal funding for ferries applications. Today, the company set the method for the following spherical of ferry grants in movement, asserting the provision of $220 million to assist and modernize passenger ferry service in rural and concrete communities throughout the U.S.
Across the nation, there are roughly three million ferry riders every month, notes FTA.
“For many Americans, ferries are the best way get to work, go to school, or reach a hospital, particularly in island communities and Alaska native villages,” mentioned U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Everyone ought to have access to affordable, reliable transportation options, and thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we are taking an important step to improve ferry service across the country.”
Two ferry grant applications are included within the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) launched at present: the Passenger Ferry Program and the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program.
The Passenger Ferry Program helps capital tasks to purchase, substitute, or modernize passenger ferries, terminals, and associated gear. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, $50.1 million is obtainable, of which $5 million is put aside particularly for low- or zero-emission ferries and associated services/gear.
The Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program is a aggressive grant program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make sure important ferry service in rural communities. The program gives capital, planning, and working help to assist or develop ferry companies in rural areas. For Fiscal Year 2023, $170 million is obtainable.
Instructions for making use of and eligibility data might be discovered on FTA’s web site and in GRANTS.GOV for Passenger Ferry and Ferry Service for Rural Communities. Complete proposals should be submitted electronically by means of GRANTS.GOV by July 17, 2023.
FTA will host a webinar (passcode 870207) on Wednesday, May 31, at 2:30 p.m. ET to debate the necessities for funding, software eligibility and standards, and the submission course of. Participants will study extra concerning the Passenger Ferry and Ferry Service for Rural Communities applications and how you can apply. The webinar will embody a possibility to ask questions.
- Download the Notice of Funding Opportunity HERE
