The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration announced on Wednesday that $10 million is available in competitive grant funding for Native authorities for use towards transit services.

The Fiscal Year 2021 grants come through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s Tribal Transit Program, which is authorized by Congress to “support public transportation for federally recognized Indian Tribes and Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities.”

However, these funds were made available evenly through the Consolidated Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan, with $5 million coming from each.

“The funding helps Tribes to meet the needs of Tribal citizens, including older adults, people with disabilities, and youth in rural areas,” reads the FTA press release.

With these funds, the FTA will “prioritize” projects that are aimed at improving air quality and those which “further environmental justice.”

We must ensure that the U.S. government is a true partner to Tribal Nations," USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. "Supporting reliable and affordable public transit on Tribal lands is one important step in building the transportation infrastructure that our Tribal Nations need and deserve."

FTA Deputy Administrator Nuria I. Fernandez added that “For people who live on Tribal lands, access to reliable, affordable public transportation is vital – transit helps tribal communities respond to climate change challenges.”

“This funding opportunity will assist Tribal governments by improving mobility for their residents who rely on public transportation to access jobs, health care and other important services,” she continued.