Tampa Republic

The City of Tampa has been awarded a $1 million Technical Assistance Grant from the US Department of Transportation through the Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Grant Program (IFACGP). This funding, made possible by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to address public transit and housing needs in the Bay area.

The grant will support efforts to develop transportation and housing options in the region. Combined with federal funding for the Tampa Bay Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) office, this money will attract experts to fast-track major transit and transit-oriented development (TOD) projects. These initiatives will leverage public-private partnerships and subsidized construction costs, allowing for regional collaboration on transportation challenges.

"We are so grateful to our federal partners who recognize the potential that lies within the Tampa region. We know if we don't address serious transportation improvements, literally, our growth will come to a halt - we won't let that happen. Expanding transit and affordable housing options remain two of my top issues; addressing them together ensures maximizing value and building towards a brighter future for all residents," said Mayor Jane Castor.

Projects benefiting from this funding include Streetcar expansion, high-speed rail, rapid bus transit routes, and safe streets. These initiatives aim to provide affordable options for residents to access essential services, schools, and housing by integrating housing and transit planning.

“Through the bipartisan infrastructure package, the Biden-Harris Administration is helping cities, states and transit agencies develop projects on underused properties—including tens of thousands of housing units over the next decade,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The grants we’re announcing today will allow communities to partner with the private sector, develop and deliver transit-oriented projects on public assets, and get more housing and other public benefits and services completed more quickly.”

Tampa is one of 45 public entities receiving this grant funding, which totals nearly $45 million.

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