Rep. Cleaver Announces $5.6 Million RAISE Grant for Bi-State Sustainable Reinvestment Corridor Project

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the Mid-America Regional Council a $5,600,000 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) Grant for the Bi-State Sustainable Reinvestment Corridor project. Utilizing federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, The Bi-State Sustainable Reinvestment Corridor is a regional project that will connect three major cities in two states and two counties by implementing a 24-mile zero-emission regional transit route, including improved access to housing, health care, employment, and education for citizens in each city and surrounding area. The project was announced by Rep. Cleaver in February.

“Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was signed into law by President Biden, I have worked tirelessly with the Administration to secure federal funding for the Bi-State Sustainable Reinvestment Corridor—and I’m thrilled to announce that the first piece of the puzzle has fallen into place today with this $5.6 million RAISE grant,” said Congressman Cleaver. “This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Secretary Buttigieg about the possibilities of this project and the ways in which it will unlock opportunities for underserved communities throughout the region, and I’m pleased that he is as excited about these prospects as I am. With a concentration on sustainability, public transportation, and economic development, the Sustainable Corridor has an opportunity to be not just a major success in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri, but a shining example of how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can create a sustainable, equitable future for an entire region. As this funding makes its way to Kansas City, I will continue to work with our partners on a federal and local level to ensure we maximize the positive impact this project will have on Missouri families.”

“By working with leaders on both sides of the state line, the Kansas City region can be a national example on how to leverage both federal funding and local engagement to create green, resilient infrastructure that lasts for generations to come,” said Rep. Davids. “This RAISE grant for the Bi-State Sustainable Reinvestment Corridor will jumpstart these investments by reducing energy costs, upgrading broadband equipment, creating affordable housing, increasing job opportunities, and so much more. I’ll continue working across all levels of government to get this done.”

“I applaud Congressman Cleaver for his work on connecting communities and keeping investment in sustainable public transportation a priority,” said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. “Reliable, safe, and efficient public transportation unlocks opportunities for people across our region and helps our businesses attract talent in Kansas City and all of our bistate area.”

"Impacting and improving our transit system in a manner that makes it more responsive to the needs of our city and regional community is an attractive outcome of the Bi-State Sustainable Reinvestment Corridor Initiative. In addition, our City and regional community are most excited about, and looks forward to the benefits beyond transit services that the RAISE grant will bring to families and workers in Kansas City, Kansas and Wyandotte County and the metropolitan area," said Unified Government/Kansas City, Kansas Mayor Tyrone Garner. "We believe that the Bi-State Sustainable Reinvestment Corridor Initiative represents the critical delivery and life-line for economic development services, job opportunity and worker and family support desperately needed to build viable communities.

“Receiving this grant award for the Bi-State Sustainable Reinvestment Corridor sets the foundation to implement long-overdue community-based investments, including an east-west transportation network that connects diverse communities in our region,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. “Today’s announcement brings residents and businesses on both sides of the state line one step closer to having that critical need fulfilled. Jackson County looks forward to continuing its work with MARC, our neighboring municipalities, and congressional representatives on this exciting project.”

“Our residents and businesses will greatly benefit from the opportunities that the Corridor will deliver. We are eager to work with neighboring jurisdictions, partner organizations and the community to support these critical needs for the Kansas City region,” said Sugar Creek, Missouri, Mayor Mike Larson.

The $5.6 million in federal funding will be used to fund planning activities for the east-west high-capacity transit corridor from Village West in Wyandotte County, Kansas through downtown Kansas City, Missouri to Independence, Missouri. The funding will help update transportation plans, complete project development and environmental documentation for zero-emission transportation elements, and complete advanced conceptual engineering design for one or more high-capacity transit routes.

A Fact Sheet on the Bi-State Sustainable Reinvestment Corridor is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus.