Gsats is a BI-state MPO and TMA therefore required to develop and maintain planning documents including the unified planning work program (UPWP) metropolitan transportation plan (MTP) transportation…

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded $499,008 to the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments, doing business as Grand Strand Area Transportation Study (GSATS), under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) on August 8, 2025. This formula grant supports transportation planning and coordination activities required of GSATS as a bi-state Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Transportation Management Area (TMA) serving the Grand Strand region in South Carolina. The funding supports the development and maintenance of critical planning documents, including the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), Public Participation Plan (PPP), and Congestion Management Process (CMP), with the FY 2026 and 2027 planning cycle adopted in February 2025.

The award funds implementation of recommendations from the Coast RTA Organizational Plan, including an updated Human Service Transportation Plan and Transit Development Plan, along with continued development of public participation initiatives. Expected outcomes include increased public engagement and awareness, identification of transportation projects for all modes and users, and expanded services to accommodate the region's growing population. The award benefits transit providers and users, employers and employees, and tourism-related stakeholders across the region through improved transportation planning and coordination. The grant extends through March 30, 2033, with no subrecipient activities identified.

Activities

Activities from this award will support implementation of recommendations from the coast RTA organizational plan that is scheduled to be completed in FY2025. This plan (that has been funded through previous 5307 funding) includes an updated human service transportation plan and a transit development plan. Activities will also include the continued development of the PPP and tasks associated with the plan

Expected outcomes

The outcomes of the activities supported by these funds includes increased public engagement and awareness project identification for all modes and users and increase in the services to benefit the growing population in this region.

Intended beneficiaries

The beneficiaries of the activities supported by these funds include the transit providers and users workforce (employers and employees) and tourism (destinations and tourists).