OAR 731-035-0160: Federal Grant Match Project Selection

(1) The Commission will approve projects to be funded through a grant Agreement with moneys in the Connect Oregon Fund. (2) Prior to selecting projects to be funded with moneys in the Connect Oregon Fund, the Commission shall solicit recommendations from the applicable entities below based upon the location and mode of the project: (a) The State Aviation Board for Aviation Transportation Projects. (b) The Freight Advisory Committee for freight Transportation Projects. (c) The Rail Advisory Committee for rail Transportation Projects. (d) The Oregon Business Development Department for marine transportation projects. (e) Area Commissions on Transportation. (f) Regional Solutions Teams, as required in ORS 284.753. (3) The Director, or their designee, in consultation with the entities identified in section (2) of this rule shall appoint a Federal Grant Match Recommendation Panel that includes at a minimum, representatives from the applicable Area Commission on Transportation and modal committee(s) identified in section (2) of this rule. (a) Additional members may be appointed to the Federal Grant Match Recommendation Panel from other committees and entities in section (2) of this rule. (b) The Director, or their designee, may appoint members of the Federal Grant Match Recommendation Panel not otherwise specified in section (2) of this rule who can evaluate the effectiveness of a proposed project’s effectiveness in advancing the decision considerations in section (5) of this rule. (c) Persons are not eligible for Federal Grant Match Recommendation Panel membership if the person: (A) represents an entity that submitted an application for a Connect Oregon Fund grant that is being considered for funding by the Federal Grant Match Recommendation Panel; or (B) has a direct financial interest in an application that is being considered for funding by the Federal Grant Match Recommendation Panel . (4) The Director or designee shall summarize and present to the Commission the recommendations of (i) the committees and entities in section (2) of this rule and (ii) the Federal Grant Match Recommendation Panel. (5) The Commission will consider all of the following factors in making its decision to award funding for eligible projects from the Connect Oregon Fund: (a) Whether a proposed project reduces transportation costs for Oregon businesses or improves access to jobs and sources of labor; (b) Whether a proposed transportation project results in an economic benefit to this state; (c) Whether a proposed project is a critical link connecting elements of Oregon’s transportation system that will measurably improve utilization and efficiency of the system; and (d) The proportion of the cost of a proposed project that is borne by the Applicant or contributed from any other source other than the Connect Oregon Fund. (e) Whether a proposed transportation project is ready for construction (f) Whether a proposed transportation project has a useful life expectancy that offers maximum benefit to the state; and (g) Whether a proposed transportation project is located near operations conducted for mining aggregate or processing aggregate as described in ORS 215.213 (2)(d) or 215.283 (2)(b). (6) The Commission shall award funds for projects in accordance with ORS 367.084 solely, notwithstanding any other provision of division 35 . (7) All awards for Federal Grant Match Applications are provisional and are contingent upon the Recipient securing the federal grant identified in their application.