Commute to Careers Grant Program

​Commute to Careers Grant Program Now Open 
 
The State of Wisconsin has officially launched its $8 million Commute to Careers grant program, a multi-agency effort recently announced by Gov. Scott Walker to eliminate transportation barriers for low to moderate income workers looking enter the workforce or advance their careers.
 
According to the Department of Workforce Development (DWD), the goal of the grant program is to establish affordable, self-sustaining, and flexible transportation programs that can grow and adapt to meet the needs of the employees and employers which it serves. Potential projects that may be funded through the grant include:

• Vanpool systems
• Ridesharing and carpooling activities
• Shuttles in areas not serviced by public transit
• Deviated fixed route service
• Expansion of flexible employer-based programs

 
The $8 million includes $5 million through DWD's Fast Forward Program and $3 million for Vehicle Grants through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT). Details include:

• The Program Grant opportunity through DWD is open to applications from Wisconsin entities that demonstrate a critical need to transport unemployed, low and moderate-income workers to employment opportunities in Wisconsin. Private employers in good standing, non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, or consortiums comprised of employers, non-profits and organizations that serve people with disabilities are eligible to apply. $1 million is set aside for programs that serve individuals with disabilities.

 

• The Vehicle Grant opportunity through DOT is open to non-profit and local public bodies, including tribal entities. The funding is targeted to applicants who provide service to low-income residents at 150 percent of the federal poverty level or less. $2 million of the funds are only available to projects that provide services in areas designated as air quality non-attainment, which include: Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Waukesha, Washington, Ozaukee, Walworth, Sheboygan, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, and Door counties. $1 million is available for statewide vehicle grant applicants.

Applicants can apply for one or both grants, provided they meet the application requirements. All grants require a 20 percent match.
 
Grant Timeline:

• Grant applications accepted through 3:00 p.m. on Sept. 5, 2018
• Project grant award announcements will be made on October 1, 2018
• Anticipated contracted start date of October 15, 2018

 
Please CLICK HERE to review the Grant Program Guidelines.

Posted by: Scott Rogers, Governmental Affairs & Workforce Director
​rogers@eauclairechamber.org