SALEM, OR Twelve communities across Oregon - from Portland to John Day - have been awarded Transportation and Growth Management Program grants to fund transportation and land use planning projects. The Transportation and Growth Management Program (TGM), a 24-year partnership between the Department of Land Conservation and Development and the Oregon Department of Transportation, awards grants to support Oregon communities working to create vibrant, livable places where people can walk, bike, take transit or drive where they want to go.

"These grants reflect the importance of planning for the future transportation and land use needs in our communities," said Erin Doyle, Intergovernmental Relations Associate from the League of Oregon Cities and chair of the TGM Program Advisory Committee. "This round of TGM grants in particular highlights the increasing role of transit to meet the daily needs of Oregonians."

For this year's funding cycle, 39 applications requested $5.9 million. Recipients will work with staff to develop each project, including final award amounts based on the scope of each grant. Award amounts are expected to range between $100,000 and $250,000. Award recipients are listed below, and project descriptions are online.

"¢ City of Gresham
"¢ City of John Day
"¢ City of McMinnville
"¢ City of Medford
"¢ City of Oakridge
"¢ City of Portland
"¢ City of Sandy
"¢ City of Sutherlin
"¢ City of Waldport
"¢ Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council
"¢ South Clackamas Transit District
"¢ Washington County

Awards will be used for various projects, such as updating the city of Oakridge's transportation system plan, or TSP, a process that local governments must do regularly in order to move transportation and land use projects forward. Funds also can be used to develop a coordinated land use and transportation plan, which the city of Medford, Oregon will be doing to help guide development in the Liberty Park neighborhood. Grants also support developing public transit plans - and that's how city of Sandy and South Clackamas Transit District will use their awards.

Planning is critical to the success of a community's economic and environmental health, yet there are few sources of transportation and land use planning funds for local governments. With over 1,100 projects completed, Oregon's Transportation and Growth Management Program continues to provide value by helping communities craft their future transportation systems in concert with their desired land uses.

In addition to planning grants, the program offers local governments other resources, including education and outreach workshops, speakers and publications; code assistance; quick response; and transportation system plan assessments.