Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Grant Program

The Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) is a regionally significant grant program operated by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) with the aim of fostering more livable, walkable, and connected communities across the metro Atlanta region. Established in 2000, the program uses federal transportation dollars to support planning studies and transportation projects that advance vibrant, multimodal, and economically competitive community centers. LCI-funded efforts include streetscape enhancements, trail planning, road diets, and strategic community development centered around transit access and smart growth. The 2026 LCI application cycle opens at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and closes at 11:59 PM on Friday, February 27, 2026. Projects selected for funding will be announced in May 2026. Eligible applicants include local governments and Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) within the Atlanta region. Notably, all applicants must secure a letter of support from their chief elected official or CID leadership and demonstrate matching fund commitments. A Community-Based Organization (CBO) must be actively involved in the application development and provide its own letter of support. LCI awards are structured as reimbursable grants and cover up to 80% of the total study cost, with the applicant responsible for a 20% funding match paid upfront. ARC has allocated approximately $1.8 million in federal funds for the 2026 cycle. Projects may be classified as either Catalytic Studies, which involve vision planning for downtowns or transit-adjacent areas, or Tactical Studies, which emphasize implementation actions like design, feasibility, or ordinance updates. Both study types must align with LCI’s three core goals: promoting healthy, safe, and livable communities; fostering a competitive economy; and ensuring inclusive stakeholder engagement. Successful proposals will align with ARC’s Unified Growth Policy Map and demonstrate focus areas such as downtown districts, main streets, or high-capacity transit areas. Additional selection criteria include multimodal infrastructure support, equity and resiliency impacts, community need, program innovation, and implementation readiness. Applicants must also submit a “Report of Accomplishments” if they have conducted prior LCI planning, showing progress made on action items from the previous study. Applicants may request full study management support from ARC, particularly if staff capacity is limited. In these cases, ARC will handle consultant procurement and project oversight. Letters from other stakeholders providing matching funds or partnership commitments should be included in the application, which is submitted through ARC’s designated portal. A comprehensive application guidebook and supplemental materials are available to help applicants develop a strong proposal and understand technical requirements. While the LCI program primarily funds planning studies, communities that complete LCI plans become eligible for capital transportation implementation funding through ARC’s Transportation Improvement Program. This two-tiered structure reinforces LCI’s long-term goal of turning plans into real-world mobility and livability improvements. Interested jurisdictions are encouraged to review the 2026 Application Guidebook in full and reach out to Lauren Blaszyk, the LCI Program Manager, with any questions.

Ensure strong alignment with LCI’s goals and active CBO engagement from early in the application process.