The application period for 2013 funding of new and supplemental LCI studies closed on November 16, 2012. The next application period for new and supplemental studies will open in the fall of 2013. Below is information regarding the LCI application process, including eligibility.

The Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) is a program that awards planning grants and transportation funds on a competitive basis to local governments and nonprofit organizations to prepare and implement plans for the enhancement of existing centers and corridors consistent with regional development policies.

Thus far the ARC has committed $18 million in LCI study funds - $1 million annually between years 2000 to 2017. ARC has funded 173 planning studies in the thirteen years of the LCI program (2000 to 2012). In selecting studies for LCI funding, priority is given to plans that facilitate increased residential and mixed-use development with connectivity to jobs and improved walkability in the region’s centers along with supporting transportation investments.

ARC has committed an allocation of $500 million in the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) dedicated to transportation projects resulting from successful implementation of LCI studies. Not all communities that receive funding for planning studies are guaranteed to receive construction funds. In selecting projects for LCI transportation funding, priority is given to those communities that have completed and approved the planning study, independently taken local actions (particularly land use changes) as identified in the study’s implementation plan, and demonstrated the transportation projects meet the goals of the LCI program.

Eligibility

The Livable Centers Initiative program is open for funding to government jurisdictions and non-profit organizations in the 18-county Atlanta Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) boundaries (PDF) (includes all of 13 counties and portions of five additional counties). To be considered for an LCI award, a jurisdiction must maintain Qualified Local Government (QLG) status or show progress toward reinstating QLG status through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA).

Further eligibility information pertaining to each program funding category can be found on the specific application document.

LCI Program Funding

The Livable Centers Initiative application will be reviewed and rated based the relevance of the study to LCI program goals and PLAN 2040 Goals and Objectives. Please see related applications and Appendix E. LCI Goals and Application Review Criteria for important detail information about the application selection process.

Funding Categories

• New LCI Studies- The goal of new LCI studies are to prepare plans for the enhancement of existing centers and corridors consistent with the PLAN 2040 Goals and Objectives.
• Supplemental Studies- LCI study funds will be prioritized to support the implementation of existing LCI plans through LCI Supplemental Studies. Supplemental study funds may be used for a specific action requiring additional planning work as identified in the original LCI plan or an approved update to the plan. 
• LCI Innovation - LCI study funds may be used to support studies that are not specifically place-based, but provide local governments support through jurisdiction-wide policies, plans or programs that implement livable communities consistent with the goals of PLAN 2040 and LCI. Through LCI innovation we will also be offering targeted community assistance. ARC is seeking to develop greater knowledge and support to local governments in community transformation and redevelopment. This work is envisioned to involve several ARC programs as well as other partner organizations over a multi-year implementation effort. 

ARC will make available $800,000 of federal transportation (STP-Urban) funds to selected LCI sponsors. ARC will prioritize approximately half of those funds to support existing LCI study implementation activities. Study sponsors are required to provide a minimum of 20% local cash match. 

A separate application period will be held for LCI Transportation funds. To find out more about the previously selected transportation projects please see LCI Transportation Page.

Other LCI Program Information

• Organizations receiving funds will be required to contract with ARC and provide assurances of meeting federal contract requirements. This includes conducting a fair and open procurement process; therefore, if a consultant completes the funding application on behalf of the sponsor, that firm will not be eligible to compete for or be awarded the LCI contract should the study be selected. Additionally, if more than one organization is involved in the LCI study, ARC will contract with one lead organization only. Other organizations may serve as partners to the lead organization, but they will not be part of the formal LCI contract. 
• As the LCI program is a multi-year commitment and funds are limited each year, the program will seek to fund various types of studies in suburban and urban locations each year.
• ARC reserves the right to fund all or a portion of the total study budget, depending on program participation and evaluation of need. The study scope of any LCI application may also be adjusted through agreement with the study applicant. Agreement on study area boundaries and scope will be reached with ARC staff and local sponsor prior to awarding funds and executing a study contract.
• Completion of an LCI study does not guarantee project funding from the LCI transportation dollars in the TIP. Additional LCI funding for transportation projects or supplemental studies is contingent upon local implementation progress and LCI program funding availability.
• A review of the local jurisdiction’s adopted comprehensive plan and other appropriate locally adopted plans should be made as part of the study effort. During the study, the applicant should describe the actions necessary to amend plans to implement LCI study goals, including a process that will foster implementation.