Morrisville says grants fund much of Smart Shuttle and intersection safety work

Morrisville Town officials explained that grant funding — from private foundations, state entities and federal agencies — has been a key source of support for local transportation projects, including the town’s Smart Shuttle microtransit service and an intersection safety study.

The presenter said the town had secured nearly $20 million in grant revenue over the past five fiscal years, equal to about 4% of the town’s annual budget. “That 4% is the difference between a lot of programs being possible and not possible,” the presenter said.

Don, a staff member, offered a functional definition of grants: “A grant is a form of funding provided by private foundations, federal agencies, or state entities that supplements the council approved budget. This additional funding enables the town to undertake projects that would otherwise be financially unfeasible.” He added that grant awards vary widely, from roughly $1,000 to several million dollars depending on the source and scope.

Officials cited the Smart Shuttle, introduced in 2021, as an example. The presenter said the service stops at 18 locations in Morrisville and served more than 1,000 unique riders last year. “That Smart Shuttle program… has 50% of its costs funded by grants and 65% in the next fiscal year,” the presenter said. The transcript’s phrasing about some of those percentages is unclear; the town also said that CAMPO provided approximately 50% of funding for an alternative transit study and that combined grant support for the two projects exceeded $1 million.

The presenter described the Morrisville Parkway Access Management Study (IMPAMS), a partnership with the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) that produced maps of turning movements and a set of safety recommendations for motorists and pedestrians. Officials said the study’s recommended changes are actionable but require funding to implement.

Don described the grant application process: complexity varies by source, with smaller private grants often simpler than federal grants, but all applications must state the project purpose, the need for funding and how funds will be used. “A well-prepared submittal is essential to demonstrate the value and feasibility of the proposed project,” he said.

Town officials presented grants as a tool to avoid relying solely on local tax dollars for new services and infrastructure. The presentation did not include a formal vote or directive; officials described past grant revenues and how those funds have been applied to the shuttle and planning work.