Transportation Enterprise Account (TEA) Grants

The Transportation Enterprise Account (TEA) Grants and Loans program is administered by the Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) through the Office of State Lands and Investments. This program is authorized under Chapter 17 of the SLIB’s Rules and Regulations and is designed to support transportation-related projects that provide broad public benefit across the state. The program reflects Wyoming’s commitment to strengthening transportation infrastructure and services, particularly for public transit and specialized transportation needs that serve vulnerable populations such as the elderly and individuals with disabilities. The primary purpose of the TEA program is to foster investments in transportation projects that improve mobility, accessibility, and service delivery for the general public. Funding is provided in the form of both grants and loans, allowing applicants flexibility in structuring project financing. Eligible uses of funds include capital investments such as the acquisition of public transit vehicles, expansion of transportation fleets, or replacement of aging or inefficient vehicles. The application materials indicate that projects may involve either general public transportation or client-specific transportation services, with emphasis on demonstrating the appropriateness and necessity of the proposed vehicles or infrastructure. Eligibility for the program is limited to public entities within Wyoming. This includes counties, municipal corporations, senior citizen centers established under state statute, airport boards, regional transportation authorities, community boards, and certain contracted entities operating under agreements with counties, municipalities, school districts, or the Wyoming Department of Health. Applicants may submit multiple project requests but must prioritize them. In cases where eligibility is based on contractual relationships, supporting documentation such as current contracts must be included in the application. The program requires applicants to demonstrate organizational authority through an executed resolution from their governing body. The application process is formal and document-intensive. Applicants must submit three complete, unbound copies of the application on legal-sized paper to the Office of State Lands and Investments in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The application form requires detailed information including applicant identification, project description, vehicle specifications, funding sources, ridership data, and service area descriptions. Additional required components include a resolution authorizing submission, a summary form describing the project need and impact, and supporting documentation such as contracts or site maps. The application also includes sections for reporting prior and pending funding sources and outlining plans for matching funds where applicable. Applications are due annually by September 15 for consideration at the State Loan and Investment Board’s November meeting. Emergency applications may also be submitted for consideration outside the standard cycle, provided they are submitted at least thirty days prior to a regular monthly board meeting. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle, and applicants should plan accordingly to meet submission deadlines and align project timelines with board review schedules. The review process involves evaluation by the Office of State Lands and Investments and final consideration by the SLIB. While specific evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed in the provided materials, the application structure suggests that projects are assessed based on demonstrated need, public benefit, readiness, and financial feasibility. Applicants are expected to provide comprehensive data, including ridership statistics and funding commitments, to support their proposals. Contact for the program is provided through the Office of State Lands and Investments, with Shelley Hood serving as the State Funded Grants and Loans Program Manager and a listed phone number and email for inquiries. The performance period for funded projects is not explicitly stated, but the application emphasizes capital investment and project implementation readiness, suggesting that timelines are likely tied to project completion schedules rather than fixed grant periods. The recurring nature of the program, combined with the structured annual deadline and board review process, provides a predictable funding opportunity for eligible public entities seeking to enhance transportation services within Wyoming.

Ensure all required documentation including resolution and contracts are included; clearly justify vehicle need and public benefit; provide complete funding and ridership data