$250,000 awarded to the leech lake band of ojibwe for rural and tribal assistance pilot program to support legal, technical, and financial advisors to help advance infrastructure projects

The Department of Transportation Immediate Office of the Secretary awarded the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe a $250,000 cooperative agreement under the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program (CFDA 20.943) on July 27, 2026, to support legal, technical, and financial advisors advancing the Leech Lake Transit Facility Planning Project. The program provides development-phase assistance for transportation infrastructure projects in rural and tribal communities reasonably expected to be eligible for certain DOT credit and grant programs. The recipient will deliver a work plan, quarterly reports, project deliverables, and 2 CFR 200 compliance documentation. The award obligates $250,000 with a period of performance through July 26, 2029. Work is performed in Minnesota. The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, a federally recognized American Indian tribe operating as Leech Lake Tribal Council from Cass Lake, Minnesota, is the recipient. Beneficiaries are residents of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

Activities to be performed: leech lake transit facility planning project. Deliverables/expected outcomes: work plan, quarterly reports, project deliverables and 2 CFR 200 compliance. Beneficiaries: residents of leech lake band of ojibwe