AUSTIN (KXAN) — Applications are now open to help support active and shared mobility projects and initiatives in Austin.
Austin-based transportation management association Movability announced applications for its fall round of GoGrant funding opened Wednesday, with the organization accepting applicants through Sept. 4. The GoGrant program offers financial assistance up to $7,500 to help incentivize active and shared mobility, per grant documents.
Lonny Stern, executive director of Movability, said the goal of the grant funding is to support organizations that want to cultivate and expand access to shared commuting.
“Maybe your business wants to install a bike rack, or you’ve been considering launching a van pool or a discount transit or a car pool program, and you just don’t know how to make it happen. That’s where we step in,” he said. “We can help you plan it, whether you’re a small business or an international corporation. We can provide grant funding to make it happen.”
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General Marshall Middle School in the Mueller area received a GoGrant to pilot a bike-to-school program. (Courtesy Movability) -
The Yellow Bike Project receive GoGrant funding to help provide bikes at zero cost to people who depend on them for free, reliable transportation access. (Courtesy Movability) -
The Yellow Bike Project receive GoGrant funding to help provide bikes at zero cost to people who depend on them for free, reliable transportation access. (Courtesy Movability)
GoGrant funding is offered under three application types, Stern said. Those eyeing an infrastructure or programmatic program must be a small business or nonprofit organization to be considered, but mobility planning grant money is open to anyone.
Past funding recipients have established alternative parking and transit discount program resources for employees, expanded bike rack access on site or even kicked off a bike pool program, such as what was launched at General Marshall Middle School in Mueller.
“We work with individuals and organizations to build our region around people, not cars. And so we try to encourage affordable mobility solutions that reduce congestion and protect our air quality,” Stern said. “When I look at congestion, that’s an outcome of our growth, and we know we’re doubling in size as a region but we’re not going to double the roadways. And so if we keep growing like this, we’re going to choke on our own success.”
Under program rules, prospective applicants must be businesses or organizations located within Austin’s city limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction. For proposed projects involving infrastructure installation, the applicant must have an agreement in place with the property’s manager to add that infrastructure.
More details on the grant, including ways to apply, are available online.