$500,000 awarded to city of ames for rural and tribal assistance pilot program to support legal, technical, and financial advisors to help advance infrastructure projects

The Department of Transportation awarded $500,000 to the City of Ames under the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program (CFDA 20.943) on August 24, 2026, to fund legal, technical, and financial advisors supporting development of a multi-modal downtown transit hub in Ames, Iowa. The project aims to enhance downtown access and safety.

The City of Ames will deliver a work plan, quarterly reports, and project deliverables in compliance with 2 CFR 200. The award covers the period through August 23, 2029, with performance in Ames, Iowa. City of Ames residents are identified as beneficiaries of the infrastructure project.

The Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program, established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, provides early-stage development assistance for transportation infrastructure projects in rural and tribal communities by supporting procurement of advisory services or hiring of staff. Recipients must be units of local government outside urban areas with populations exceeding 150,000, states advancing projects in such rural areas, federally recognized Indian tribes, or the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis and are reimbursable grants conditioned on quarterly and annual reporting.

Activities to be performed: multi-modal downtown transit hub in the city of ames: enchancing downtown acess and safety . Deliverables/expected outcomes: work plan, quarterly reports, project deliverables and 2 CFR 200 compliance. Beneficiaries: city of ames residents.