Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) – Category a - Economic Development Road Projects

Goal/purpose: To promote increased economic potential and improve the quality of life through the support of job creation and retention in Michigan. To provide funding for transportation projects to improve the network of highway services essential to economic competitiveness, improve accessibility to target industries, support private initiatives that create or retain jobs, and encourage economic development and redevelopment efforts.

Additional applicant eligibility criteria: The transportation improvement must relate to an immediate and non-speculative economic development project that creates or retains permanent jobs and increases the tax base of the local area (if the applicant is a local unit of government). The economic development project must relate to specific target industries such as agriculture, tourism, forestry, high-technology research, manufacturing, mining, office centers (50,000+ sq ft), or medical research/tourism facilities (50,000+ sq ft). Negotiations between an appropriate agency and developers shall be in progress regarding a location or retention decision. Non-transportation infrastructure and support services necessary to support the economic development project must be available, currently under way, or committed.

Project eligibility: A specific transportation need must be shown to exist in one of the following categories: capacity, condition, safety, or accessibility. Eligible project costs include construction costs related to the transportation project. Project planning, design, and right-of-way acquisition costs are eligible for use as match.

Application process: Eligible recipients must submit a Letter of Interest to the Office of Economic Development via the MDOT Grant System (MGS). Eligible recipients whose project meets the minimum requirements will be encouraged to submit full applications for consideration. Letters of interest and applications for Category A grants are accepted and processed year-round.