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Q. We are a very small town; not a city. I charge a reduced rate to the elderly. There are a lot of things needed to make my business a success. I'm lacking the money to invest. Is there any grant for women like me in transportation?
A. FTA does not provide direct financial grants to private individuals or businesses. Instead, we suggest that you contract with your local transit agency or social services agency to provide transportation to their clients. In addition, you should also contact the U.S. Small Business Administration regarding funding availability for a small woman-owned business: http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/onlinewbc/index.html
Q. I am the owner and principal officer of a small, woman owned business. Does FTA have any grants available to assist our company with a transportation vehicle?
A. FTA does not provide direct financial grants to private individuals or businesses. You might want to contact the U.S. Small Business Administration regarding funding availability for a small woman-owned business: http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/onlinewbc/index.html.
Q. Are there any grants available to a local church to fund, or help fund a mini- bus to pick up residents of assisted living and retirement facilities and the home- bound? The retirement and assisted living facilities do not run their busses on the weekends. We are trying to come up with funds to buy a 14 or less passenger mini bus to transport home bound and retirement and assisted living facilities residents to our church.
A. Your church might be eligible for a state-based grant under the FTA Section 5310 or 5311 programs for either rural or elderly and handicapped populations. The Iowa Office of Public Transit should be able to advise you if this is feasible:
http://www.iatransit.com/office/assistance.asp
Q. Are privately held Assisted Living, Nursing Homes, or Retirement Facilities eligible for FTA assisted funding in the purchase of ADA Para-Transit buses?
A. Private Entities, including private non-profits, are statutorily ineligible to receive direct FTA funding. FTA's congressionally mandated purpose is to provide funding for public transportation, that is, transportation that is open and available to the general public. Vehicles that are intended for the exclusive use of an individual or organization would not fall within that category and requestors should instead direct their requests to the appropriate state or local funding agencies. Note: This Q/A was posted the month of: 03-2009.
Q. We are in dire need of a serious overhaul of radio equipment, vehicles purchases, building upgrades, antennas, and a ton of other stuff. Is there some sort of funding for small business like ourselves who are in the Taxi business?
A. Unfortunately, FTA funding is statutorily limited to state and local public transit agencies and to certain non-profit organizations. As a private transportation provider, you may want to consider contacting the Small Business Administration or your local state transportation agency. Note: This Q/A was posted the month of: 05-2009.
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