Heartland 2050 Mini Grant

The Heartland 2050 Mini-Grant Program, administered by the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA), offers technical and financial support to local jurisdictions committed to developing livable communities in alignment with the Heartland 2050 Vision. As a regional planning entity based in Omaha, Nebraska, MAPA plays a key role in coordinating transportation, housing, environmental, and economic planning across the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area. The mini-grant program is embedded within MAPA's broader Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program and is structured to assist local governments in implementing community-driven transportation-related planning initiatives. The Heartland 2050 Vision encompasses six overarching goals intended to enhance quality of life in the region by promoting smart growth, sustainable infrastructure, and transportation equity. Through the Mini-Grant Program, MAPA seeks to catalyze projects that support compact development, encourage multimodal transportation options, and contribute to a resilient regional framework. The grants aim to create direct links between planning initiatives and tangible improvements in regional transportation systems, land use planning, and local policy updates that reflect the Heartland 2050 strategic direction. Each year, approximately $330,000 in STBG-MAPA funding is set aside for this program. These funds are made available within the MAPA Transportation Management Area (TMA) to support project planning and early-stage implementation activities that integrate transportation planning into broader local initiatives. Eligible projects are typically those recommended by Heartland 2050 Implementation Committees and may include corridor studies, planning for bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and development of community plans or policies that align with smart growth principles. The program is open to communities located within Douglas and Sarpy counties in Nebraska and the urbanized portion of Pottawattamie County in Iowa. All applicants must submit project proposals through MAPA’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) process. Application guidance, including the most recent TIP report and policy guide, is accessible through MAPA’s website. The program emphasizes collaboration between local governments and regional planning bodies to ensure projects are consistent with the overarching transportation and land use goals of the metropolitan region. The FY2027 application cycle opened on October 29, 2025, and closed on January 17, 2026. Following this, project applications were reviewed by selection committees starting January 24, 2026, with a public comment period from February 17 to March 14, 2026. A final selection process concludes with award notifications and publication of funded projects scheduled for July 11, 2026. No pre-application steps such as a Letter of Intent or concept paper are required for this cycle. The performance timeline follows the broader Transportation Improvement Program review and approval structure, culminating in MAPA Board and state-level approval in June 2026. MAPA provides centralized support and communication for applicants through its main office. For inquiries, the public may contact MAPA via phone at 402-444-6866 or email the transportation team at [email protected]. This program recurs annually as part of MAPA's transportation funding cycle, and interested applicants are encouraged to monitor the TIP page for updates, future application windows, and associated public engagement opportunities.