On October 3, more than 175 attendees gathered to participate in the MSRC’s Local Government Partnership Program presentation and webcast. Because of the new format of this program - transitioning it from a competitive process to a set-aside allocation - the MSRC staff wanted to ensure that they had the opportunity to engage with applicants and answer questions in a group format.
The Local Government Partnership Program (formerly the Match Program) is a little different than in years past because the program now offers local agencies that participate in the AB 2766 Motor Vehicle Subvention Fund Program a pro-rata share of the $21 million in available funding, avoiding the need for a competitive grant process or to award funding on a first-come, first-served basis.
“The MSRC is excited to offer this critical funding for cities and counties to procure zero and near-zero vehicles and fueling infrastructure that will be required to meet our region’s aggressive clean air goals,” noted Greg Pettis, Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Cathedral City and Chair of the MSRC. “We revamped our Local Government Partnership Program to expand participation by local agencies which may not have participated in the past, by eliminating the competitive process and by giving smaller jurisdictions, which may not be in a position to completely transition to a zero-emission fleet, the flexibility to pursue additional air quality improvement projects.”
The MSRC designed the program so that it can partner directly with eligible cities and counties to “jump-start” clean transportation projects that will be needed to successfully implement the 2016 Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) developed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The AQMP provides the blueprint for how the region will achieve federal air quality standards, and highlights that air pollutant emissions must be reduced by an additional 75 percent in order to meet the 2023 federal ozone standard. The MSRC’s new program emphasizes the need for an accelerated transition to zero and near-zero emission vehicles along with the necessary supporting infrastructure so that federal air quality standards can be met in a timely manner.
During the webcast, Cynthia Ravenstein, the MSRC’s Contracts Administrator, and Ray Gorski, the MSRC’s Technical Advisor, presented information about the program and how to apply for funding. A presentation that agencies must present to their leadership was also discussed, which is available here: http://www.cleantransportationfunding.org/rfp/view/2017-local-government-partnership-program-presentation
To make participation in the webcast as easy as possible, attendees of the presentation were able to join in person at the SCAQMD’s headquarters in Diamond Bar or conveniently at remote locations by accessing the webcast on personal computers or mobile devices. Nearly 170 people joined remotely.
To access a recording of the webcast, please visit: http://www.aqmd.gov/home/library/live-webcast?ms=AJvOQ4iMdjQ. The deadline for applications is March 2, 2018; however, applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals as soon as practicable, as the MSRC will consider proposals on a rolling basis. The solicitation is available here: http://www.cleantransportationfunding.org/rfp/view/2017-local-government-partnership-program