Funding Programs
FFY 2026 CALL FOR PROJECTS: The Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC), serving as the NWA Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), announces the availability of approximately $11.7 million in NWARPC Surface Transportation Block Grant Program – Attributable (STBGP-A) funding, $1.3 million in NWARPC Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding and $1.4 million in NWARPC Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funding for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2026. Availability of FFY 2026 funding is subject to Congressional action. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act(IIJA), Pub. L. 117-58 (Nov. 15, 2021) provides federal suballocated funding to the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers AR-MO Urban Area.
FFY 2026 NWARPC Project Applications: (coming soon – 1/5/2025)
FFY 2026 STBGP-A Project Application (New Project)
FFY 2026 STBGP-A Existing Project Funding Request Form
FFY 2026 TAP Project Application
FFY 2026 CRP Project Application
Project Funding Request Deadline – Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 11:59 P.M. CT
For information on this program or questions related to the application process, please contact Nicole Gibbs, Transportation Programs Manager/Regional Planner, NWARPC, 1311 Clayton, Springdale, AR 72762, (479) 751-7125 x105.
In 2012, the FTA and the FHWA designated the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO urbanized area as a Transportation Management Area (TMA). The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Pub. L. 117-58 (Nov. 15, 2021) provides federal suballocated funding to the TMA. The Surface Transportation Block Grant Program – Attributable (STBGP-A), Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) formula funds are suballocated to the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO urbanized area based on the 2010 Census population of 295,083. Starting in FFY 2024, apportioned funds are anticipated to be based on the 2020 Census Urban Area population of 373,687.
The STBGP-A, TAP and CRP are federally funded, 80% Federal / 20% Local, reimbursable programs and awarded projects must meet and follow the ARDOT Local Public Agency (LPA) federal-aid process for reimbursement. Funds must be used for eligible projects that are submitted by eligible entities and chosen through a competitive process. Projects must be identified in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program(STIP)/Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and be consistent with the Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan and the Metropolitan Transportation Plan(s) (23 U.S.C. 134 and 23 U.S.C. 135). Additional information on the programs can be found at:
STBG Fact Sheet | TAP Fact Sheet | CRP Fact Sheet
The ARDOT Local Public Agency Project Manual (LPA Manual) is a guide for cities, counties, planning organizations, and eligible not-for-profit organizations that utilize federal funds for locally administered transportation projects. The LPA Manual is available on the ARDOT.gov website here.
Surface Transportation Block Grant Program-Attributable (STBGP-A) Funding
STBGP-A funds can be utilized for all eligible transportation projects at the discretion of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which is the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission/Policy Committee (NWARPC).
The Regional Planning Commission/Policy Committee (RPC/Policy Committee) selects projects through a competitive process for STBGP-A funding. The current policy has a focus on selecting projects of regional significance which is defined as an improvement to major routes such as north/south corridors and the east/west corridors and frontage roads that improve access, reduce crash rates, and/or relieve congestion to the north/south routes.
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)
The RPC/Policy Committee selects projects through a competitive process for Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding. TAP funds are awarded for the construction phase of a selected project. Preliminary Engineering and Final Design, Environmental, Right-of-way, and Utility Relocation is the responsibility of the applicant and must meet federal-aid requirements.
A goal of the 2045 NWARPC Metropolitan Transportation Plan is to develop a more comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian network for Benton and Washington counties and expand the Heritage Trail system. This regional trail and route system would link the emerging master trail plans of the region’s cities and include strategic spurs to connect employment centers, schools, retail shopping, recreational sites, parks, historic sites, and museums. The NWARPC 2045 MTP recommends maintaining a regional commitment to bicycle and pedestrian facilities, as well as encouraging cities to develop master trail plans in conjunction with the NWA Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
Carbon Reduction Program (CRP)
On November 15, 2021, the President signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Public Law 117-58), also known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” (BIL), into law. The BIL authorizes a new Carbon Reduction Program codified at 23 United States Code (U.S.C.) 175 to reduce transportation emissions.
The purpose of the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) is to reduce transportation emissions by funding projects designed to reduce transportation emissions. Transportation Emissions means carbon dioxide emissions from on-road highway sources of those emissions within a State (23 U.S.C. 175(a)(2)). Funds can be utilized for all eligible carbon reduction projects at the discretion of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which is the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission/Policy Committee (NWARPC).
The Regional Planning Commission/Policy Committee (RPC/Policy Committee) selects projects through a competitive process for the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funding. The current policy has a focus on selecting projects of regional significance which reduces carbon emissions by implementing eligible activities including: traffic monitoring, management, and control facility or program; construction, planning, and design of on-road and off-road trail facilities; advanced transportation and congestion management technologies; intelligent transportation systems capital improvements; street lighting and traffic control devices with energy-efficient alternatives and other eligible carbon emission reduction projects.
Transit
NWARPC is the designated recipient for the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers AR-MO Urbanized Area for the Urbanized Area Formula Grants that are apportioned by FTA. The apportioned Section 5339 and Section 5307 FTA Urbanized Area Formula funds are utilized by Ozark Regional Transit and Razorback Transit for capital, operating assistance, preventative maintenance, ADA paratransit service and enhancements.
