Guilford County seeking ideas for transportation pilot programs

Guilford County is looking to use $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support transportation pilot programs to increase access to social services and jobs.

The county will open a request for solicitations for ideas from organizations for the effort.

Commissioner Carly Cooke says the county does not currently provide mass transit services, but a series of community meetings led officials to consider how they could engage the topic.

"Across the board we heard that transportation was a barrier to access for many people living here," Cooke says. "And that was preventing them from, you know, accessing employment opportunities, workforce training, health care, child care, educational opportunities."

Proposals should focus on at least one of three areas: connecting people to work, increasing access for those in need of services, or helping those facing a behavioral health crisis.

The county will start accepting applications on May 8. Cooke says a few pilot programs should be selected by the end of July.