NOACA Now Accepting Applications for Special Federal Transportation Funds

The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is now accepting applications for funding from the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom programs. The JARC program supports transportation services to jobs and employment-related activities for welfare recipients and eligible low-income individuals. The New Freedom program supports new public transportation services and alternatives for individuals with disabilities beyond those currently required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

“Almost $2.5 million in JARC funds and more than $1.5 million in New Freedom funds are available during this application cycle,” says Howard R. Maier, NOACA executive director. “These funds are meant to improve transportation for individuals with disabilities and people with low income.”

Eligible applicants for the funds include private non-profit organizations, state and local government authorities, and public and private operators of public transportation services in the Cleveland Urbanized Area, which includes most of Cuyahoga County as well as portions of Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit counties. A map of the eligible areas and the applications are available on NOACA’s Web site at http://www.noaca.org/jarcnf.html. Applicants may also obtain an application by calling Sara Maier, JARC and New Freedom program manager, at 216-241-2414, ext. 308. The deadline to submit applications is 4 p.m. ET on Friday, April 25, 2008, at NOACA, 1299 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114.

“Federal law for these programs requires that projects in the Cleveland area be consistent with the goals of the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio to receive funding,” says Sara Maier. “The coordinated plan was developed with input from the transit agencies, human services agencies and people who use public transit, and was recently adopted by the NOACA Governing Board.” The coordinated plan is available in PDF format.

To help potential applicants understand the application and selection process, NOACA will host a workshop on Thursday, April 3, 2008, from 2 to 4 p.m., at NOACA’s offices. Applicants should register for the workshop by calling Sara Maier at 216-241-2414, ext. 308.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is conducting separate JARC and New Freedom application processes for small urbanized and nonurbanized areas in Northeast Ohio. Visit ODOT’s Web site for more information regarding its process.

For more information about NOACA’s application process or coordinated plan, call Sara Maier at 216-241-2414, ext. 308.