Washington, DC—The U.S. Secretary of Transportation today announced allocation of $17 million in federal funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 2009 for the Federal Transit Administration's Tribal Transit Program.

"These additional funds will advance the expansion of much needed transit services on our nation's tribal lands," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "That means more job creation and greater access to those jobs."

The ARRA tribal transit funds will provide grants to Indian tribes for capital expenditures including transit equipment and facilities. Participants under this program include federally recognized Indian Tribes or Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities as identified by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior.

A notice soliciting project proposals to be selected on a competitive basis was published today in the Federal Register. The notice includes application procedures, the criteria that FTA will utilize to select projects, and grant terms, conditions, and reporting requirements.

Tribes will have 60 days to submit project proposals. The Federal Register notice can be found at: http://www.fta.dot.gov/laws/leg_reg_federal_register.html.

Once projects are selected and funding is awarded, tribal recipients must obligate funds by September 30, 2010. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the nearest FTA Regional Office for additional information on the ARRA Tribal Transit Program. A contact list of FTA regional offices may be found at www.fta.dot.gov.