FY2026 Work Program

To support the key policies of Connections 2050 by ensuring diverse and competitive regional and local economies, and encouraging reinvestment in the region through land use, transportation access, and economic development planning and implementation.

This program supports NJDOT's MPO Planning Priorities by promoting partnerships and continuing to engage with the public to strengthen public confidence and participation in the planning process through the use of web/technology, social media, outreach, education, and public forum meetings and working with county and municipal partners for integration of transportation and land use to promote community livability.

Multi Modal Access to Tourist Destinations: As outlined in the FAST Act and IIJA, staff will continue to explore multi-modal accessibility of tourist destinations.

Community Revitalization: Staff will continue to monitor issues related to community and economic development, land use, and transportation, specifically for the identified Centers in Connections 2050, which include the region’s downtowns, main streets, and retail districts. Staff will focus on strategies and topics of research that may include access to goods and services, food, and housing, transit options, and digital tools and technologies.  

Planning Analysis for Downtown Trenton: Staff will conduct a planning exercise focused on Trenton’s commercial downtown to be informed by the synthesis and analysis of various datasets, recent and ongoing multimodal investments and planning efforts, and anticipated transit-oriented residential developments.

Impacts of Shifting Employment (Remote) Patterns: Staff will conduct research and data analysis into the post-pandemic shifts in demographics and employment patterns, including remote work to understand how these trends have impacted the region and identified Centers in Connections 2050.

TCDI Grant Program: Solicitation and administration of the Transportation and Community Development Initiative (TCDI) grant program will continue. Staff will administer awards from the FY 25 PA TCDI round. In addition, staff will facilitate project selection of the FY 2026 NJ grants and procurement process. The FY 27 Pennsylvania guidelines will also be developed. Tasks related to each of the solicitations include procurement, invoicing, progress reports, and outreach meetings, as necessary. Staff will continue to maintain and enhance the TCDI Direct (project management) database to provide project management for previously awarded projects, as well as manage the Consultant Qualification System (CQS), which involves ongoing review of proposals received in response to an open-ended request for qualifications. 

Municipal Funding Resource (MFR) Guide: The MFR is a comprehensive list of grant programs for stakeholders through a shared online database, which will continue to be maintained.

Technical Assistance: Staff will provide technical assistance to regional and local partners as requested. Staff will organize educational events for partners, as required, and serve as an APA CM Credit Provider.

Economic Analysis Support: Staff will provide assistance with implementation of the CEDS and additional economic analysis, as requested. 

Completion of this work may require the purchase of materials, supplies, and data services.

1. Collaborate with regional transportation and tourism partners to increase multi modal access to tourist destinations throughout the region.
2. Monitor trends and transportation investment impacts in downtowns, main streets, and retail districts, and conduct research and analysis, as appropriate.
3. Conduct planning analysis to support Trenton's efforts to coordinate multimodal investments, development plans, and small business retention in the downtown area.
4. Conduct research and analysis to understand impacts of shifting employment (remote) patterns.
5. Administer awards from the FY25 PA TCDI solicitation.
6. Facilitate project solicitation of the FY26 NJ TCDI grants and procurement processes.
7. Develop the FY27 PA TCDI Program Guidelines.
8. Maintain the TCDI Direct project management and Consultant Qualifications Database (CQS) databases.
9. Maintain the Municipal Funding Resource Database.
10. Provide local technical assistance to municipal stakeholders on revitalization strategies through downtown analysis and events, as appropriate.
11. Maintain the community revitalization webpage and subpages.
12. Conduct supporting economic analyses for the regional CEDS, as required.

1. Meeting highlights and additional materials for transportation and tourism providers, as appropriate.
2. Planning Analysis for Downtown Trenton 
3. Impacts of Shifting Employment (Remote) Patterns 
4. FY27 PA TCDI Program Guidelines
5. TCDI Direct project management database
6. Consultant Qualification System database
7. Municipal Funding Resource Online Database
8. APA AICP CM credit event applications and surveys, as requested 
9. Economic analyses, as required

Member governments, nonprofits, developers, the private sector, economic development professionals, and planning professionals