The RCN program (formerly known as the Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant (NAEG) program) helps to reconnect neighborhoods divided by infrastructure. Cities, towns, and villages can use funds to address local infrastructure projects such as removing, replacing, or retrofitting highways and freeways. This grant program supports equitable transportation planning and will allow residents to become more active in the infrastructure projects that negatively impact them and their surrounding environment. The NAEG program was established to remove surface transportation structures (e.g. highways or viaducts) to increase connectivity in disadvantaged or underserved communities, and planning/capacity-building activities in these communities. The program aligns with federal administration policies and priorities on Safety, Economic Strength, Equity, Climate and Sustainability and Transformation, and Organization Excellence. Download the grant summary.
Bootcamp Structure
Courses
Peer Learning Sessions (Webinars): Interactive sessions featuring Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on the policy and grant approach, followed by smaller sessions for peer discussions
Coaching Sessions: Smaller sessions that continue to build on specific application questions identified in the peer learning session
Office Hours (Consultant Meetings): Support in the form of designated time slots with our SMEs and your team to address specific questions about your grant application
Support
Navigator Team: Our Navigator team is available to help answer the following kinds of questions:
- Bootcamp timelines
- Bootcamp schedules
- Participation expectations
Our Navigator for this grant is Jan Mangana. She can be reached at mangana@nlc.org.
Prepare for Success
Download the full outline of the bootcamp schedule, goals, and key steps to ensure you are ready to attend the following courses and successfully prepare and submit your grant application.
Modules and Resources
Module 1
Orientation and Grant Overview
Cities will be oriented to the funding program.
Module 2
Federal Administration Priorities
Cities will also be able to incorporate climate, equity, and training and workforce development into their grant applications and demonstrate that they are willing to raise their ambitions in these priority areas.
Module 3
Incorporating Data
Cities will access and utilize a data platform providing local statistics on issues ranging from health and housing to local economy and environmental issues, as well as other focused variables relevant to their grant application. This module also includes training on conducting equity analysis and developing a strong, data-driven narrative to complement grant applications.
Additional Resources
Module 4
Engaging the Community
Cities will be able to draft Community Engagement and Advocacy Strategies and understand the audience for advocacy and project strategies.
Module 5
Demystifying Capital Stacks and Budgeting
Cities will understand the basics of capital stacks and funding structures for projects, and possible matching grant requirements and allowable uses before applying this understanding towards developing a draft project budget with matching sources and potential new sources of funding.
Additional Resources
The Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.317-2 CFR 200.324 may provide insight into procurement requirements as applicable depending on grant requirements. Located in Subpart D “Procurement Standards” at around 2 CFR 200.318 here:
External Evaluation of the Impact of Local Infrastructure Hub (LIH)
Owen Consulting will be conducting short confidential interviews to gain insights on the impact of the LIH. If you are interested in speaking with them about your experience participating in the LIH, here is a link to a contact form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GL3R38V
Module 6
Tell Your Story
Cities will understand best practices for crafting narratives and will be able to produce a compelling grant narrative consistent with the funding opportunity requirements. Additionally, Cities will understand how to package/submit a complete grant application and develop a plan to advance the request with key officials.
Module 7
Long-Term Capacity Building
Once the applications have been submitted, cities develop plans to successfully administer the grant including how best to (re)organize local institutional processes.
Additional Office Hours
Get Additional Assistance from our SMEs!
Our Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are offering office hours on September 22nd from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM to provide cities with last minute assistance before the September 28th deadline for the RCN grant.
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- Friday, September 22: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM EST