Quarterly Newsletter - March 2024

The Draft 2024 Public Participation Plan (PPP) is available for public review and comment, and can be found by visiting the MPO's Public Participation Plan webpage. The 45-day review period began on February 29, 2024, and the MPO will be accepting comments through April 13, 2024.

The Memphis MPO recognizes that an effective participation process is a vital element in the development and implementation of transportation plans and programs. The Memphis MPO’s Public Participation Plan (PPP) encourages the entire community to participate in developing feasible alternatives and encourages community leaders to support the regional transportation network. 

Memphis MPO Biteable Videos

New Biteable videos are now live on both YouTube and on our website!

The State of the MPO: 2023 in Review video, released in January 2024, highlights the MPO's outreach efforts and the Region's accomplishments in 2023.

The 2024 Public Participation Plan (PPP) - Public Review Period video, released in February 2024, provides an overview of the Draft 2024 Public Participation Plan, as well as instructions for reviewing and providing input on the Draft Plan.

The Annual Safety Report video, released in March 2024, summarizes regional and county-level roadway safety crash data and documents safety-related efforts undertaken by various agencies throughout the region.

Click on the images below to watch the MPO's State of the MPO: 2023 in Review, 2024 Public Participation Plan (PPP) - Public Review Period, and Annual Safety Report videos!

Memphis International Airport Receives more than $16 million in Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Funding

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $16,135,955 to Memphis International Airport (MEM) as part of its Fiscal Year 2024 Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The funds can be used to modernize airport infrastructure, improve runway safety, and create jobs.

Mississippi Legislature passes $482 million incentive package for $1.9 billion EV battery plant

Paccar, an engine manufacturing company with a plant in Columbus (Mississippi), Accelera by Cummins Inc., an Indiana-based engine company and Daimler Truck, based out of Oregon, entered into a joint venture last year to build a $1.9 billion electric vehicle battery plant on 500 acres in the Chickasaw Trails Industrial Park within Marshall County. The project is expected to create approximately 2,000 jobs.

Memphis and Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Receives $2.7million Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) Grant

The Memphis and Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will receive a Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) grant of $2,693,160 for the Over and Under I-40 project. The goal of the planning project is to engage the communities impacted by I-40 in a design process, with the assistance of a team of professionals, to develop innovative strategies to reconnect these neighborhoods through the enhancement of twelve crossing points.

Southaven Starts Central Park Improvements

The City of Southaven began a $2.8 million project last year to enhance 11 neighborhood parks. The project will include walking trails, pavilions, and upgraded playgrounds. In addition, the project will include a 10-foot wide multi-use trail that will travel from Swinnea to Tchulahoma, connecting to the existing trail.

Safe Streets for All Program (SS4A)

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years, 2022-2026. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Funding may be awarded for Implementation Grants and Planning and Demonstration Grants. Applications for FY 24 Implementation Grants are due May 16, 2024. Applications for FY 24 Planning and Demonstration Grants have 3 deadlines, the first of which is on April 4, 2024. More information on SS4A grants can be found here.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG) provides formula funding to local governments for clean energy and energy efficiency projects and programs. Up to $300 million is available Nationwide, and applications are due April 30, 2024. More information on the EECBG Program can be found here.

Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants)

The Environmental and Climate Justice Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Community Change Grants Program supports community-driven projects that deploy clean energy, strengthen climate resilience, and build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges.  Up to $2 billion is available Nationwide, and applications are due November 21, 2024. More information on Community Change Grants can be found here.

Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP)

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has opened applications for the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) for up to $44.5 million in funding for projects that will strengthen safety and improve bicycling, walking and access to public transit in communities across the country. FHWA will award grants to plan, design, and construct projects that provide safe and connected active transportation infrastructure in an active transportation network or active transportation spine, as defined by Section 11529 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)(see NOFO for more information on eligibility). Applications are due June 17, 2024, and more information on the ATIIP can be found here.

Visit the MPO's Funding Opportunities webpage for more information on transportation funding opportunities available to eligible agencies and organizations throughout the Region.

January:

2: TDOT/Memphis Pedestrian Road Safety Initiatives Meeting - Virtual

18: Memphis Area 2nd 10-year 2008 8-hour Ozone Maintenance Plan Meeting - Virtual

25: EPA Advance Program Working Group Meeting - Virtual

30: Tri-State Advance Program Working Group Meeting - Shelby County Health Department HQ

Webinars & Trainings:

4: FHWA Greenhouse Gas Performance Measure - Webinar

5: USDOT Cutting Carbon from Transportation: State and Local Best Practices - Webinar

24: AASHTO Greenhouse Gas Performance Calculator Demo - Webinar

30: Prioritization Process Pilot Program (PPPP) Grant Pre-Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) - Webinar

31: Justice 40 Initiative: Environmental Justice for The Nation’s Most Disadvantaged Communities - Webinar

February:



7: Statewide IAC Call - Virtual

8: CORE TMA Meeting - DMC HQ

14: Blue Oval Community Impact Meeting - Virtual

15: Memphis MPO ETC & TPB Meetings  - University of Memphis Holiday Inn

16: AMPO Policy Committee Meeting  - Virtual

16: MDOT Freight Advisory Committee Meeting  - Virtual

26: PM3 Tennessee Statewide Working Group Meeting - Virtual

27: PM3 Tri-State Working Group Meeting - Virtual

27: TN Passenger Rail Meeting - Nashville, TN

29: EPA Advance Program Working Group Meeting - Virtual

Webinars & Trainings:

8: FHWA NPRM PM - Webinar

21: FHWA How Pavement and Bridge Conditions Affect Transportation System Performance - Webinar

27: EDC Greenhouse Gas - Webinar

March:

4-6: AMPO Policy Committee Meeting - Washington D.C.

8: Tennessee Statewide PM3 Target Setting Meeting - Virtual

11: Mississippi TIP Project Status Meeting - Hernando, MS

12: AMPO Active Transportation Meeting - Virtual

14: Tennessee TIP Project Status Meeting - Virtual

14: Tennessee Pedestrian Task Force Meeting - Virtual

19: TN-MS-AR Ozone Tri-State Committee Meeting - Virtual

20: TDOT Resilience Advisory Committee Meeting - Virtual

21: TDOT 2024 Safety Performance Targets Meeting - Virtual

27: EPA Advance Program Working Group Meeting - Virtual

27: City of Memphis Bicycle and Pedestrian Advocacy Council Meeting - Virtual

29: AMPO Core Products Group Meeting - Virtual

Webinars & Trainings:

14: AMPO GIS & Data Visualization - Virtual

Upcoming Events:

March 29 - Holiday - MPO Offices will be Closed

April 4 - Holiday - MPO Offices will be Closed

May 23 - TPB & ETC Meetings

May 27 - Holiday - MPO Offices will be Closed

June 19 - Holiday - MPO Offices will be Closed