$650,000 is awarded to the regional infrastructure accelerator program to centralina regional council

The Department of Transportation Immediate Office of the Secretary awarded $650,000 to Centralina Council of Governments through a Cooperative Agreement on July 27, 2026, to lead infrastructure finance innovation, project pipeline development, and regional coordination for Priority Connect Beyond projects across the 10-county Charlotte region. The award advances federal financing and public-private partnership opportunities. Work is performed in North Carolina, with an ultimate completion date of July 26, 2029.

Centralina delivers a work plan, quarterly reports, project deliverables, and 2 CFR 200 compliance documentation. The initiative benefits commuters across the Charlotte region and local communities including Kings Mountain, Gastonia, Harrisburg, Kannapolis, Salisbury, and Statesville. The funding falls under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program (CFDA 20.223), which finances projects of national or regional significance by filling market gaps and leveraging non-federal and private co-investment through flexible, low-interest credit assistance for eligible surface transportation projects.

Activities to be performed: lead infrastructure finance innovation, project pipeline development, and regional coordination for priority connect beyond projects, advancing federal financing and public-private partnership opportunities. Deliverables/expected outcomes: work plan, quarterly reports, project deliverables and 2 CFR 200 compliance. Beneficiaries: commuters across the 10 county charlotte region and local communities (kings mountain, gastonia, harrisburg, kannapolis, salisbury, statesville).