A delegation of CATS and MTC leaders and supporters learned May 24th, during a trip to  our Nation's Capitol, that Federal money is in short supply and competition is fierce for the remaining revenues, according to John Woods, Davidson Mayor and Vice Chair of the Metropolitan Transit Commission. Woods, County Commission and MTC Chair Jennifer Roberts, CATS director Carolyn Flowers, assistant director John Muth, Charlotte City Manager assistant Dana Fenton and Carroll Gray of the LNTC visited two departments in the Federal Transit Agency (FTA) and with the Federal Railway Administration (FRA) and were told while Charlotte does an excellent job of planning, local committed funding is a prerequisite for obtaining Federal assistance in the future.  Meetings were arranged by Charlotte and CATS lobbyist Jeff Boothe, of Holland and Knight attorneys.

The first stop on the one day visit was with the TIGER Grant department.  Upon inquiry about the $300 million request submitted by CATS on behalf of the Red commuter rail line, department spokesmen said the request was over the limit and ability of the agency to fund.  Of a US total of $1.5 Billion, some 52 grants were awarded nationwide, with an average grant of $32 million.  The only NC project to receive funds was the Yadkin River Bridge replacement, which garnered a $10 million grant.

Next, the MTC delegation met with New Starts staff, who were generally aware of the commuter rail project in Charlotte, but pointed out no application for FTA funds had been submitted by the MTC.  The process for applying was discussed, with the admonition that successful applications will have substantial local funding committed on the front end, and should view Federal funds as ‘gap’ financing to close the deal.

Finally, the group met with the FRA who said their grants go to intercity rail service, and Mooresville to Charlotte does not qualify.  They referred to a loan program, the Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Financing (RRIF) loan pool, but said that loan must be repaid, at low interest, but would require ‘collateral’ such as the rail line itself.  Since the line is owned by Norfolk/Southern, that option seemed remote.