Grants Administration
ACOG frequently oversees the task of distributing state or federal dollars to local communities within its boundaries. Such grants may range from small mini-grants to help promote alternative fuels to more substantial Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) monies intended for economic development and transportation improvement projects. Regardless of the purpose or amount, program staff work with the membership and the Board of Directors to develop a process for making fair decisions regarding distribution of the monies. The final decisions rest with the Board and funding agencies.
In addition, ACOG serves as the Regional Clearinghouse for federal grant applications and plans for direct federal development (such as building a post office). The clearinghouse facilitates coordination among applicants, local jurisdictions and state agencies to ensure that proposed federally funded projects and programs are consistent with and further areawide goals and objectives. In addition, the clearinghouse process helps ensure that programs are environmentally sound and do not duplicate other area efforts.
Current Grant Programs
Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP)
ACOG participates in the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC) CDBG/REAP
program, and ACOG applicants must be ACOG REAP-eligible in order to apply for the ODOC
CDBG/REAP program. The Oklahoma Legislature has appropriated funding for small, rural communities with populations under 7,000 called the Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP). According to state legislation, the funds related to economic development and transportation projects are distributed through the 11 councils of government in the state, including ACOG.
Public Fleet Conversion
The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments’ Public Fleet Conversion Grants will allow OCARTS member local governments and school districts to access CMAQ funds for fleet conversions to clean fuel technologies to include alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid vehicles and alternative fuel vehicle refueling infrastructure.