Governor Awards Transit Grants to Local Transportation Providers
Grants awarded throughout Tennessee including Bedford County

Nashville, Tenn.—Governor Phil Bredesen and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) recently released a three-year (2007-2009) Multi-modal Work Program for the state of Tennessee. The program includes various transportation projects and programs, including transit initiatives.

"Through TDOT’s long range planning process, we have worked strategically to develop a needs-based project list. The projects and grants that are being awarded reflect the variety of transportation modes necessary to accommodate the growing demands being put on our transportation system in Tennessee,” said Governor Bredesen.

The state will award the Community Development Center in Bedford County a grant in the amount of $33,672 to assist with that program.

The Community Development Center is a private, non-profit organization that provides transportation services for the elderly and for persons with disabilities.

“This is an extremely worthwhile investment for the state to make,” said Bredesen. “These grants help ensure that many elderly and handicapped people in our state have transportation to places such as medical centers, educational outlets and adult care facilities.”

“The grant will be used to purchase a mini-bus for the program,” reported Representative Curt Cobb. “I’m pleased the state made this decision to help.”

“This is the kind of program that can make a big difference in the lives of the people it serves and I hope we can keep supporting it,” added Senator Jim Tracy.

“This grant program provides federal funding which is administered by TDOT’s Office of Public Transportation to enhance transportation services for the elderly and handicapped,” explained TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “The program provides 90% of the funding through a mix of federal and state monies and the recipient not-for-profit organization is responsible for the remaining 10% match.”

Vehicles purchased through this program are used primarily for the transportation of elderly and handicapped persons, but they can also be used for other assistance programs, such as “Meals on Wheels.” The total amount being awarded to 27 transportation services in this grant cycle is $1,480,449.