Wausau authorizes application for Transit Development Plan grant (5304) with $30,000 local match

Wausau — The Wausau Transit Commission on April 16 authorized staff to apply for grant 5304 to fund the city’s next Transit Development Plan, a document MetroRide must update every five years to remain eligible for certain grants.

Transit Director Ron told the commission the last TDP in 2022 had a $120,000 budget; the anticipated cost for the upcoming plan is $150,000 with a projected local match of $30,000. Ron said the city’s maximum share would be $24,000 and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) would contribute $6,000. "The 24,000 is the maximum the city would need to provide in match," he said, adding it could be less if the full grant is not used.

Ron said the agency plans to apply before the April 24 deadline and hopes to start consultant work in the fourth quarter of the year. He warned that failure to complete the TDP could jeopardize future grant eligibility.

Why it matters: The TDP guides planning and funding priorities for transit service and is often required to qualify for federal and state transit grants.

Next step: Staff will submit the grant application before the April 24 deadline and, if awarded, work with an MPO partner and consultants to begin the plan work later in the year.