tourism infrastructure grants

• Grants and programs

Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund

This fund helps grow and realise the potential of regional Victoria’s visitor economy which attracts more than 14 million domestic and international visitors every year.

Objectives of Program

Funding details.

• Funded Projects

The Victorian Government has established the $103 million Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) to help grow and realise the potential of regional Victoria’s visitor economy which attracts more than 14 million domestic and international visitors every year.

This fund is not currently open.

The RTIF’s main objectives are to:

• increase visitation to regional Victoria and visitor yield by supporting strategic projects;
• boost regional tourism investment; and
• drive new jobs across regional Victoria in the tourism sector.

The RTIF is a pathway to accelerate delivery of regional Victoria’s high value tourism projects identified through a regional tourism pipeline.

RTIF funds high value projects that activate, create or redevelop tourism assets that demonstrate a significant impact on the visitor economy. In particular, the Fund will focus on projects that attract increased visitors to the region, increase visitor yield, deliver an improved experience for those who visit and reside in regional Victoria and stimulate increased private sector investment.

The remaining funding was open to applications from prioritised projects that have been through an initial evaluation process through a tourism pipeline. Recognising that in some cases, promising projects in their early phases require funding support for the development of sound feasibility and business cases, the RTIF incorporates the Government’s $1.8 million program to support planning for tourism projects announced in December 2015 (funded through the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund).

Application Process

Round 1 utilised a targeted funding model

Remaining funding

Remaining funding was open to applications from prioritised projects

Download Resources

Projects funded by this program.

• This may not be a comprehensive listing of all announced funding through the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund
• CiC indicates the project funded amount is Commercial or Cabinet in Confidence
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Grant Awards to Support NYS Canal System Tourism Infrastructure, Visitor Amenities, and Events

May 8, 2023

WATERFORD, NY- The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and the New York State Canal Corporation are pleased to announce that 42 not-for-profit organizations and municipalities will receive NYS Canal System Tourism Infrastructure and Event Grants totaling $ 190,000 in 2023. The grants will support seven tourism infrastructure and amenity improvements and 35 events along canal waterways and the Canalway Trail.

Recipients are spread across the Erie, Oswego, Cayuga-Seneca, and Champlain canals. Infrastructure and amenity projects include kayak storage and paddling launches, picnic facilities, restrooms, and park upgrades that better accommodate people with disabilities. Events range from large canal festivals to bike tours to arts and cultural offerings that will contribute to a lively season of activities.

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said , “For nearly 200 years, the Erie Canal has been an economic engine and as we near its third century of operation, the strategic investments being made through this program are key to ensuring it continues to support the communities that grew alongside it. Improving infrastructure and bringing residents and visitors to canalside events will stimulate downtowns and create new opportunities to experience our Canal waterways.”

Now in its second year, the grants program represents a significant investment in canal recreation and tourism. Grants range from $500 to $24,000 and will leverage an estimated $438,775 in additional support.

“We are thrilled to support community partners to offer an exciting lineup of events and improved services for visitors all along the canals. Investing in canal tourism benefits residents and visitors alike and helps to maximize the economic impact of tourism for communities across New York,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

List of grant recipients . 

ABOUT NEW YORK STATE CANAL CORPORATION The  New York State Canal Corporation , a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, oversees the operation and promotion of the New York State Canal System. The Canal Corporation’s mission is to operate and maintain a premier waterway and trail system that honors the historic legacy of the Erie Canal and offers unique recreational and tourism opportunities, while also promoting sustainable economic development throughout the canal corridor. www.canals.ny.gov . 

ABOUT THE ERIE CANALWAY NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR Nearly 200 years after its construction, the Erie Canal remains an iconic symbol of American ingenuity and determination. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor works to preserve the Nation’s extraordinary canal heritage, promote the Corridor as a world-class tourism destination, and foster vibrant communities connected by more than 500 miles of waterway. It achieves its mission in partnership with the National Park Service, New York State agencies, non-profit organizations, local residents, and more than 200 communities across the full expanse of upstate New York. www.eriecanalway.org   #### 

• 2023 Grant Awardees

Photo: Roc River Ride, Rotary Club of Rochester-SW, 2023 Event Grant recipient; photo courtesy Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

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Biden-Harris Administration to Provide $20.5 Billion in Federal Funding to Support Transit Systems, Boost Communities

See state-by-state funding HERE

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that $20.5 billion in federal funding, part of the largest investment in public transit in U.S. history, is available to support public transportation in communities throughout the country thanks to President Biden's Investing in America agenda. This is the latest round of funding made possible thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to investing in our nation's transit systems in communities of all sizes, improving transportation for all Americans.  

The investments will help people get to work, school, healthcare appointments, and other destinations via subways, light rail, buses, and ferry systems. Transit is such an important part of the transportation system because it drives economic growth, improves equity, and is inherently a climate-friendly option. By allowing transit providers to move forward with applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 federal support, the funding will help communities:

• expand, modernize, maintain, and operate public transportation systems; 
• upgrade stations, tracks, and maintenance facilities; 
• plan and design new transit corridors; and 
• provide access for seniors and riders with disabilities.

The full-year FY 2024 funding is detailed in apportionment tables that specify funding to states, urbanized areas, and tribal governments based on statutory formulas and funding levels set by Congress. The apportionment tables allow transit agencies and grant recipients to view the amounts for programs by state and urbanized area so they can better plan and manage new and expanded transit projects that benefit their communities. Each year, more than 65 percent of the funding provided by FTA comes from the formula programs being announced today.

"As part of President Biden's infrastructure plan, we’re making history’s biggest-ever federal investment in transit – trains, buses, ferries, and more – so people can reliably and affordably get to wherever they need to be," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. " This $20.5 billion investment in public transportation will support the daily lives of millions of Americans across the country and help communities expand access to economic opportunity." 

This year, based on population changes from the 2020 Census, some areas will see changes to funding amounts due to factors such as new urbanized area boundaries. Specifically, some population fluctuations result in regions exceeding or falling below the 50,000-population threshold for urbanized areas. Other thresholds within the urban programs determine whether funds are apportioned to the states or directly to urbanized areas. In addition, the formulas use transit agencies' ridership data from 2022, which reflects post-pandemic changes in travel patterns.  

"We are pleased to provide billions of dollars in federal support to communities thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law," said FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. "Transit funds reach communities large and small, which depend on this funding to start new projects, fix old infrastructure, and ensure fast, safe, convenient service."

Formula-based grant programs include funding for transit systems in both urbanized and rural areas, grants for buses and bus facilities , transit designed for seniors and people with disabilities , planning funds, and support to improve the condition of transit assets. The tables allow transit providers to view the amounts for programs set by statutorily defined formulas to better plan and manage projects and address their repair backlogs.

Earlier this year, FTA released $9.9 billion in partial-year apportionments reflecting formula funding available for five months (October 1, 2023, to March 1, 2024) at FY 2023 levels while the federal government operated under a Continuing Resolution. The partial-year funding, which provided transit agencies an opportunity to draw down formula funding for time-sensitive needs, is a subset of the full-year amounts being announced today.

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Discretionary Grant Programs

Accepting applications, consolidated rail infrastructure and safety improvements (crisi) program.

The CRISI program is making available $2,478,391,050 in funding for capital projects that improve passenger and freight rail transportation systems in terms of safety, efficiency, or reliability. Applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. ET, May 28, 2024. See the FY 2023-2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for more information.  

• Register for the April 9, 2024, FY23-24 CRISI Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Webinar  
• Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) and Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Programs Benefit-Cost Analysis FAQs

Not Accepting Applications

Corridor identification and development (corridor id) program .

This program was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to guide the development of new and enhanced intercity passenger rail services that will help bolster economic growth throughout the United States.

• To view presentation materials from the August 23, 2023, and other Corridor ID Program webinars, visit FRA's  Webinars webpage , Grants & Loans drop-down.

Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program

This program provides funding for capital projects that reduce the state of good repair backlog, improve performance, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service, including privately operated intercity passenger rail service, if an eligible applicant is involved.

• FY 2022 Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program (FSP-National) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Webinar – December 15, 2022
• FY 2022-2023 FSP-NEC NOFO Webinar – January 12, 2023
• Federal-State Partnership Program Information Session #1: Eligibility – January 19, 2023
• Federal-State Partnership Program Information Session #2: Major Capital Projects – January 26, 2023
• Federal-State Partnership Program Information Session #3: Project Narrative and Statement of Work – February 7, 2023

Infrastructure For Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grants  (FY 2017 – 2021)

This USDOT-wide program provides funding for highway and freight projects of national or regional significance. USDOT seeks INFRA applications for projects that apply innovative technology, delivery, or financing methods with proven outcomes to deliver projects in a cost-effective manner. INFRA was previously known as the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) Grant Program (FY 2016).

Interstate Rail Compacts Grant Program

This program makes financial assistance available to entities implementing interstate rail compacts pursuant to section 410 of the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997. The purpose of the program is to improve, promote, and develop intercity passenger rail service, including activities related to the financing of such service, and to encourage multi-state grant applications. See the FY22-23 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for more information.

• To view presentation materials from the May 24, 2023, IRC Webinar, visit FRA's  Webinars webpage , Grants & Loans drop-down.

Magnetic Levitation Deployment Grants Program (FY 2015, FY 2019, and  FY 2020)

This program provides funding for the preconstruction planning activities and capital costs of viable, existing Maglev projects.

Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant Program 

This USDOT-wide grant opportunity provides funding for major infrastructure projects of regional or national significance. The opportunity combines the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program, the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program, and the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (RURAL) under a single Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to streamline the funding process for State, regional, and local governments.  Applicants can apply through one application and a common set of criteria.  The Department will make awards under the three grant programs consistent with each grant program’s statutory language and will focus on supporting projects that improve safety, economic competitiveness, equity, and climate and sustainability. 

Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program

This program provides funding for highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods.  For more information about this program,  please see the  FY 2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity for more information.

• To view presentation materials for the July 14, 2022, Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity Webinar, visit FRA's Webinars webpage.

Rail Research and Development Center of Excellence Grant Program

This program makes available $5,000,000 in funding to establish a center to advance research and development efforts that seek to improve the safety, performance, and sustainability of freight, intercity passenger, and commuter rail. See the FY22-23 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for more information.

• To view presentation materials from the May 31, 2023, Rail Research and Development Center of Excellence NOFO Webinar, visit FRA's  Webinars webpage , Grants & Loans drop-down.

Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grants (FY 2022)

This USDOT-wide program provides funding for road, rail, transit, and port projects that promise to achieve national objectives. Projects are evaluated on merit criteria that include safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, economic competitiveness, state of good repair, innovation, and partnership. For more information about this program, please see USDOT’s RAISE Discretionary Grants webpage . RAISE was previously known as the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Program and the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Program (FY 2009 – 2020) . Since 2009, USDOT has awarded over $9.9 billion in grants under these programs to projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Restoration and Enhancement Grants Program (FY 2017 – 2020)

This program provides funding for operating assistance grants for initiating, restoring, or enhancing intercity passenger rail transportation.

Tens of thousands of Russians freeze as hot water pipes burst around the country

T ens of thousands of people across Russia are currently living with no heating or hot water following an unprecedented wave of infrastructure failures.

Even large cities like Novosibirsk and Vladivostok, as well as the suburbs of Moscow, have experienced burst hot-water mains, ruptured heating pipelines, and crumbling municipal infrastructure. These incidents have escalated since the beginning of 2024, with temperatures dropping to -30 degrees and below in some parts of the country.

While such failures are not a new phenomenon, considering Russia's frigid winters and aging Soviet-era infrastructure, they are now occurring at a significant political moment, just before a presidential election and amid growing fatigue over the protracted invasion of Ukraine.

As temperatures plummet, the deteriorating state of municipal services, particularly heating, poses a significant political challenge for the authorities. With much of the government's budget redirected towards the war effort, many local authorities have experienced a reduction in funding, limiting their capacity to promptly address any infrastructure issues.

The surge in bursting pipes coincides with Russia's efforts to shield the population from any adverse effects of the war in Ukraine. Until recently, the average Russian had not experienced a significant impact on their life due to the conflict. However, as cash-strapped local governments grapple with the urgent need to address various problems, concerns may arise that residents will perceive the so-called Special Operation as a drain on resources.

The Kremlin itself has admitted that a significant portion of Russia's infrastructure is ageing, but it has attributed the recent outages to unusually cold weather.

Speaking on the subject, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that 'everyone did everything that could be done' to address the issue and expressed sympathy for those who had to endure 'sitting in the cold without electricity.'

'Despite all titanic efforts to upgrade all the housing and utilities systems, a certain part of them remains in a rather dilapidated state,” Peskov said. “These programmes will continue, but it is impossible to renew all pipes and all housing and utilities systems in 10-15 years. Of course, these programmes are time-consuming,' he said.

In Podolsk, a city in the Moscow Region, 180 high-rise buildings lost power due to a burst heating main at the Klimovsk Specialised Ammunition Plant. In response, locals took to the streets, demanding the restoration of power and urging accountability for those responsible. In response, the deputy head of Podolsk, Roman Ryazantsev, was arrested. According to investigators, Ryazantsev was warned more than once that the infrastructure was not up to standard.

In Elektrostal, also in the Moscow Region, residents gathered outside to start fires in order to keep warm, as temperatures inside apartments dropped as low as -18 degrees Celsius. In a video, a group of locals appealed to Governor Andrey Vorobyov, urging him to address and resolve the heating issue.