Minnesota Department Of Transportation Eyes Funding Recipients For Safe Routes To School Grants

The Minnesota Department of Transportation wants to give away money.  There's only two catches:  You need to apply for it and you need to be a school.

Minnesota schools and their partners are invited to apply for $1.25 million in Safe Routes to School grant funds for projects that will help more children safely walk and bicycle to school. Applications are due Jan. 9, 2015, and are available at www.mndot.gov/saferoutes, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Schools in Minnesota may apply for state grants in three categories:

• SRTS Infrastructure Solicitation – K-12 schools, in partnership with cities or counties, will receive grants to support infrastructure identified in Safe Routes to School planning efforts that improve safety or access for children walking and bicycling to school. MNDOT has $1 million in state funds for projects constructed in 2015 or 2016.
• Pilot Mini-Grants –These grants of up to $2,500 can be used for items to support schools and community SRTS activities, such as crossing guard supplies, bike maintenance equipment and incentives for walking and biking.
• Bicycle Fleets and Trailers –This grant is for communities interested in a bicycle fleet and trailer to carry the bicycles. These bicycles help implement the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota’s Walk! Bike! Fun! Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety curriculum in schools. Deadline for this grant is Dec. 5.

MNDOT has $1.5 million in new state funding available for infrastructure and non-infrastructure grants for 2015-16. This is in addition to the $250,000 allocated by the state legislature in 2013. Safe Routes to School projects also will continue to be eligible for additional federal funding through the regional Transportation Alternative Program solicitations.

All non-profit organizations and government entities in Minnesota may be eligible partners, including tribal nations, schools, school districts, cities, counties and regional planning organizations. Infrastructure grants require a city or county sponsor.

Since 2005, MNDOT has awarded nearly $20 million in federal funds to communities to support Safe Routes to School. The majority of funding was awarded for infrastructure projects. The remainder was allocated for non-infrastructure items and activities, such as Safe Routes to School planning, education, encouragement and enforcement.

For more information, contact Mao Yang at 651-366-3827 or mao.yang@state.mn.us. See MNDOT’s website for grant information, www.mndot.gov/saferoutes/.