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Resident urges Benton County to pursue OPI/ODOT Innovative Mobility pilot grants to help rural transit needs
Summary
A Benton County resident asked commissioners to pursue Oregon Project Independence/ODOT Innovative Mobility Program pilot and service expansion grants to address rural transportation gaps and requested county help to extend his service until program start.
During the public‑comment period on Oct. 1, Nick Wallace urged the Benton County Board of Commissioners to pursue Oregon Project Independence (OPI) and the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Innovative Mobility Program (IMP) grants to improve transit access in rural areas.
Wallace described a personal transportation need he said would likely be helped by the program and referenced his Sept. 4 letter and supporting documentation available from commissioners. He said pilot grants were accepting applications through Oct. 25, with potential awards as early as February 2025, and that the program offers pilot grants, service expansion grants and microgrants. "There are pilot grants that are accepting applications right now through October 25 only," he said.
Wallace asked the county to continue his current service, scheduled to end in about four weeks, until a program funded through OPI/IMP could begin. Commissioners indicated staff (Mr. Krager) and a commissioner would follow up with him after the meeting regarding county options.
Next steps: Wallace requested a meeting with county staff and commissioners to discuss short‑term continuity of service and possible grant applications; board staff indicated follow‑up would occur.
