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MB Cloud staff reminds towns of Section 5310 vehicle grant deadline; promotes Connecticut Trail Finder for trail managers
Summary
Staff reminded municipalities that the FTA Section 5310 application for vans and minibuses is open with an April 1 deadline and that MB Cloud can assist; staff also highlighted the free Connecticut Trail Finder web app for posting vetted trail information.
MB Cloud staff used the Feb. 5 meeting to remind municipalities that the Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 application is open and that MB Cloud can assist with applications, and to highlight Connecticut Trail Finder as a free, manager-curated trail listing tool.
Joanna Ravelski, senior regional planner and the point person for Section 5310, said the program provides federal support for vehicles and accessibility equipment for services serving older adults and people with disabilities. "The federal share would be 80% and the town/nonprofit/agency provides a 20% match," she said. Eligible applicants include senior centers, municipal governments, private nonprofits and public transit agencies; school districts (boards of education) are not eligible. The application deadline is April 1 and applicants must publish notice in a newspaper two weeks before submission. MB Cloud staff offered to help applicants finalize submissions and to forward completed applications to Connecticut DOT for scoring.
Separately, an environmental planner described Connecticut Trail Finder, a free web application where trail managers post vetted trail information (unlike user-generated platforms). Staff said the tool hosts over 350 posts statewide, supports activity filters, ADA accessibility flags, downloadable trail maps and a Trailside Services feature for nearby businesses. Staff offered help preparing posts using existing GIS trail data and said they would reach out to towns about candidate trail posts.
Why it matters: the Section 5310 program helps fund vehicles and accessibility equipment for vulnerable populations; the Trail Finder tool helps towns present accurate, manager-verified trail information to the public and promotes local businesses.
Next steps: towns interested in Section 5310 assistance should contact Joanna; staff will reach out to towns about Trail Finder postings and can embed town-specific trail maps on municipal websites.
