Rural Task Force (RTF)/Small Urban Programs
The MDOT Rural Task Force Program provides federal & state dollars to rural counties in Michigan with a population under 400,000 (78/83 counties). These dollars must be spent in their geographic areas on eligible road and transit capital projects improvements.
MDOT provides two main sources of funding for the Local Rural Transportation Program:
- Surface Transportation Program‐Rural (STL) - Federal
- Transportation Economic Development Fund‐Category D (EDD) - State
Federal STL funds are used to preserve and improve the conditions and performance of federal‐aid highways and transit capital projects, including terminals and facilities. State EDD funds are designed to serve development and commerce by establishing and integrating a local secondary all‐season road network with the state trunkline system. All eligible projects must be located outside census designated urbanized boundaries.
Federal regulations require the development and consultation of a transportation planning process in non-metropolitan areas. This process managed by MDOT Planning, facilitated by Regional Planning Agencies, including Networks Northwest, and carried out by the twenty-two Rural Task Forces located across the state. Each task force is comprised of equal representation from the county road commission, cities and villages under 5,000 in population, rural transit provider, MDOT, and where applicable, Tribal government. The process delivers a financially constrained non-metropolitan program for inclusion in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
Project selection and public involvement begins through the local county level. This is an effective way to incorporate community land use planning objectives and achieve consensus regarding transportation decisions within the county. These county level meetings, held prior to the Rural Task Force meeting, include elected officials, regional planning and development agency, Indian tribal government(s), transit providers, cities/villages, interested parties and the general public. Please refer to the STATEWIDE GUIDELINES AND OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR RURAL FUNDING AND PLANNING COORDINATION for more information on the RTF process.
In partnership with MDOT, Networks Northwest provides staffing to the three rural task forces in northwest lower Michigan.
(Click to view individual RTF information)
RTF 10A - Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Kalkaska
RTF 10B - Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford
RTF 10C - Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau
Small Urban Program
The Small Urban Program provides federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funding to areas with an urbanized population of 5,000 to 49,999. Road and transit capital projects are eligible for STP funds. Communities within the Small Urban Program are eligible for funding every other year. Funding is given in either even or odd years. Communities with over 40,000 populations are eligible for funding every year. There are currently four (4) census-designated urbanized areas within the 10-county Northwest Lower Michigan region. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be accepting Small Urban Program project applications for Fiscal Year's (FYs) 2024-2026.
Cadillac - 2024,2026
Manistee - 2025
Petoskey - 2024, 2026
Traverse City - Transition to TTCI - Metropolitan Planning Organization in Fiscal Year 2024
Small Urban Task Force Meeting Agendas
MDOT FY2022 Small Urban Update Feb 2022
Cadillac Small Urban Meeting 12/15/2023 at 10am (or following the RTF 10B Meeting)
Public Meeting Notices
Public notices of both county‐level and full task force meetings are posted below (click to view). The notices include the name of the City, County, or RTF; date, time, and location of the meeting per the requirements of the RTF oversight committee.
RTF 10A Regional Meeting - 12/14/2023 at 10:00 a.m.
RTF 10B Regional Meeting - 12/15/2023 at 9:00 a.m.
Cadillac Small Urban Program - 12/15/2023 at 10:00 a.m., or following RTF 10B Meeting
RTF 10C Regional Meeting - 12/15/2023 at 1:00 p.m.
RTF Funding Distribution Documents
(RTF targets subject to change)
Rural STP Calculation
FY 2023 - 2026 Call for Projects Information
RTF Programming Documents
FY 2020 - 2023 TIP Development Schedule
Regionwide RTF 10 Contacts
Brian Stark, MDOT RTF Coordinator (StarkB1@michigan.gov / 517-582-4970)
Valerie Shultz, MDOT North Region Transit Coordinator (shultzv@michigan.gov / 231-775-2733)
The professionals at Networks Northwest help our City Council, Planning Commission, and staff make thoughtful decisions to ensure our community is sustainable and resilient for many years to come.
- Mark Heydlauff, Charlevoix City Manager