Atlanta — Jan 26, 2026
(ATLANTA – January 26, 2026) The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is now accepting applications for two local planning programs: the Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) and the Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP).
The application period for both programs closes February 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. The final day for application assistance is February 20, 2026.
Helping to re-envision 126 communities as vibrant, walkable places since 2000, the LCI grant program has invested nearly $24 million in planning studies and more than $390 million in transportation projects.
CDAP provides technical assistance for planning initiatives and is a visioning and engagement process for organizations to improve quality of life in their communities by strengthening access to resources such as healthy food and affordable housing. Creative placemaking is often a key component of these initiatives.
“The LCI program has put smart, data-informed planning and design on the forefront of people’s minds throughout metro Atlanta, shaping how the region thinks about communities,” said Anna Roach, ARC’s Executive Director and CEO. “The LCI and CDAP programs have provided a reliable source of funding and technical assistance for community visioning.”
Upon completion of these studies, communities are eligible to apply for federal transportation funding for projects such as sidewalks, multi-use trails, and complete streets that help bring local visions to life. The ARC Board has currently allocated over $1 billion through 2050 for transportation projects resulting from completed LCI studies.
In 2026, ARC may award up to an additional $1.8 million in LCI planning grants. Grants cover 80 percent of the budgeted cost of each study, with recipients committing to a 20 percent match. Eligible applicants are limited to local governments, transit agencies, and Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) with an existing LCI area.
A community-based organization must be included as part of application development and remain engaged throughout the study process. LCI studies must address the program’s goals, which were strengthened this year to align with three of ARC’s five strategic goals:
- Healthy, Safe, Livable Communities: Create multi-modal developments that prioritize connectivity, public health, and safety for people of all ages and abilities.
- A Competitive Economy: Maximize the economic potential of downtowns and transit nodes with a diverse mix of housing, jobs, and community services.
- Diverse Stakeholder Engagement: Empower and engage all stakeholders through comprehensive and impactful community outreach.
ARC’s Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) provides planning assistance to local governments, CIDs, and nonprofits across metro Atlanta to advance the goals of ARC’s regional planning initiatives. CDAP matches technical planning expertise with projects in communities that need it. Applicants may request ARC staff assistance, partner assistance, or grant assistance. Applicants requesting grant assistance must propose a project with a transportation and land-use nexus; nonprofits are not eligible for grant assistance.
CDAP is seeking applications for projects that focus on one or more of the following priority areas:
- Access to Healthy Food
- Creative Placemaking
- Impacts of Climate Change
- Historic Preservation
- Housing Affordability
- Smart Technology
Examples of past CDAP projects include housing assessments, cultural and creative placemaking initiatives, minor land-use plans and studies, training facilitation, and trail studies.
For more information about LCI and CDAP, visit ARC’s Community Development page.
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The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the official planning agency for the 11-county Atlanta Region, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale counties as well as the City of Atlanta and 74 other cities. The Atlanta Regional Commission’s mission is to foster thriving communities for all within the Atlanta region through collaborative, data-informed planning and investments.
Contact Name: Sheryl Merritt
Contact Phone: 470-747-3799
Contact Email: [email protected]
