The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program provides funds for transportation projects and programs that will contribute to attainment or maintenance of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone, carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM).

The CMAQ program supports two important goals of the federal Department of Transportation: improving air quality and relieving congestion. These goals were strengthened in provisions added to the CMAQ Program by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP‑21; Pub. L. 112-141) and continued in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act; Pub. L. 114-94). These provisions emphasize cost-effective emission reduction and congestion mitigation activities when using CMAQ funding.

The SPC region receives a yearly sub-allocation of approximately $18 million to award to eligible projects.

The application period for the next round of CMAQ funding will open up on August 23, 2021. Interested applicants can find the guidance and application information on this site on or after August 23 or by contacting Lillian Gabreski at lgabreski@spcregion.org for more information.

Visit spcregion.org/funding-programs to learn more!

Every September, SPC’s export assistance program collaborates with the PA Office of International Business Development (OIBD) to bring its team of authorized trade representatives from around the world to Pennsylvania for meeting 1-on-1 with local companies to discuss international business strategies and export opportunities.

However, due to the pandemic, we remain committed to connecting Pennsylvania exporters with people and resources that can help them increase their international sales. This September, we will provide another virtual edition of Bringing the World to PA to continue creating and building global business connections. Bringing the World to PA 2021 will run from September 13-24 and will include a series of online presentations and panels on a range of international business and trade topics.

Live presentations by Pennsylvania’s authorized trade representatives will highlight business opportunities for Pennsylvania exporters in key global markets. Partners and service providers from across the state and around the world will also be featured. Pennsylvania-based companies interested in exploring new international markets for their products and services are invited to participate in as many sessions as they chose – all at no cost.

SPC has developed a series of online mapping tools to assess the regional broadband-related coverage, speeds, resources, gaps and needs in relation to the region’s demographic and socioeconomic conditions. It also examines connectivity and resources in relation to the region’s businesses, and educational and medical facilities.

These tools will be used as a baseline to further build upon SPC’s Strategic Plan of developing a Connectivity Roadmap (SWPA Connected) for the 10-county SWPA region. This future strategic plan will examine the current and true state of the region’s broadband connectivity in relation to the region’s demographic and socioeconomic composition. It will deploy connectivity programs and projects to enable the region’s communities that lack adequate high-speed internet access to be better connected to jobs, education, and health care.

For information on Southwestern Pennsylvania Connected, the mapping tools, and county by county statistical analysis highlighting the Connectivity Indices and broadband connectivity for all 10 Counties in the region visit spcregion.org/connected.

SPC and PennDOT staff are hosting a virtual workshop to assist local sponsors in the SPC region in understanding their roles, responsibilities, and requirements in delivering a transportation project.

If you are considering applying to any programs in the future, this workshop will introduce you to funding programs and the regulatory requirements sponsors must meet to use federal or state transportation funds. This workshop will provide details regarding the SPC Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA) Program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), both of which have open/upcoming application periods.

SPC’s Virtual Workshop will be held August 19, 2021 at 1:00 P.M

• Resources
  • SPC-Delivery Workshop Flyer
  • SPC-Delivery Workshop Brochure

For more information and how to RSVP visit our Funding Programs page.