Project Grant NC2022016

The Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration awarded a $625,726 Project Grant to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians under the Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program (CFDA 20.509). The funding will support existing transit services on the Qualla Boundary and other tribal lands through March 30, 2027. Specifically, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will utilize the funding to cover eligible operating expenses such as employee salaries, vehicle fuel, preventative maintenance activities, and items with a useful life of less than one year. This will allow the tribe to continue providing safe and effective transit operations for riders in the Qualla Boundary area and other tribal lands through the award completion date. As there are no sub-recipients, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will directly receive the full $625,726 in operating assistance funding starting October 1, 2021.