The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is now accepting applications for two local planning programs: the Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) and the Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP).

The application period for both programs close end of day February 28, 2025. The last day for application assistance is February 21.

Since 2000, the LCI grant program has invested more than $23 million in planning studies and over $360 million in transportation projects to assist 126 communities throughout the Atlanta region re-envision themselves as vibrant, walkable places that offer increased mobility options, encourage healthy lifestyles and provide improved access to jobs and services. CDAP provides technical assistance to local governments to improve quality-of-life in their communities by improving access to resources such as healthy food, affordable housing and creative placemaking.

“The LCI program is an innovative concept that makes metro Atlanta a better, safer and healthier place to live,” said Anna Roach, ARC’s Executive Director and CEO. “Last year we celebrated 25 years of LCI. I can’t wait to see how our region benefits from LCI projects throughout the next 25.”

The ARC board has allocated $600 million through 2050 for transportation projects resulting from completed LCI studies. Upon completion of the studies, communities will be eligible to apply for federal transportation and funding for projects such as sidewalks, multi-use trails, and smart corridor improvements that help implement their visions.

The LCI program is funded with federal transportation dollars, and this year ARC may award up to $1.8 million in LCI grants. The grants cover 80% of the budgeted cost of each study, with the recipient committing to a 20% match. Applicants must be a local government, transit agency, or Community Improvement District (CID) with an existing LCI area. LCI studies must address at least one of the program’s four priority issue areas, which are:

• Creative Placemaking

• Housing Affordability

• Green Infrastructure

• Smart Technology

ARC’s CDAP provides planning assistance to local governments, CIDs, and non-profits across metro Atlanta to undertake local planning activities that advance the goals of the ARC’s regional planning initiatives. CDAP matches technical planning help and expertise with projects in communities who need it. The applicant can select ARC staff assistance, partner assistance, or grant assistance. Applicants requesting grant assistance must have a proposed project that has a transportation/land use nexus, and non-profits are not eligible for grant assistance.

CDAP is seeking applications for projects that focus on one or more of the following CDAP priority areas:

• Access to Healthy Food

• Creative Placemaking

• Impacts of Climate Change

• Historic Preservation

• Housing Affordability

• Smart Technology

Examples of past CDAP projects include housing assessments, cultural and creative placemaking, minor land use plans/studies, training facilitation, and trail studies. This year, ARC hopes to see more partnerships with Community-Based Organizations. To get an idea of what is possible through this program, potential applicants can view CDAP’s guidebook and CDAP past projects.