SC-2025-007
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Application purpose: This application is for the FFY 2023 Section 5339(c) Low or No Emission Grant Program in the amount of $25,906,730 in federal dollars for total project cost of $31,834,706.
The CARTA Shipwatch Square Transit and Workforce Center is a FY 2023 discretionary award; project ID number D2023-LWNO-064.
The project's scope of work includes the construction of a regional passenger transit hub, the purchase of nine (9) diesel-hybrid buses to replace diesel buses, the purchase of one (1) on-route fast bus charging device, and workforce development training in partnership with SC Works Trident.
The useful life for the facility will be 40 years.
The street address of the project site is 3621 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405, which is within the UZA boundary.
The facility workforce development and project administration expenditures will consist of 80% federal funding and 20% local funding.
The vehicle replacement expenditure in this application will consist of 85% federal funding and 15% local funding, and the on-route fast charging device expenditure of this application will consist of 90% federal funding and 10% local funding per the Section 5339 program guidance.
The start date will be the date the grant is awarded, and the projected end date is March 30, 2028.
This project is not for research development.
Indirect costs will be applied to this application and its project management scope of work ALI 11.79.00.
The local funding is provided by the Charleston County sales tax dedicated transportation projects.
CARTA and/or any sub-grantee(s) will follow all 3rd party procurement policies as defined in C4220.1G (Third Party Contract Guidance), and CARTA and/or any sub-grantee(s) will ensure that contractors procured will not be on the FTA suspension and debarment list.
There are no subrecipient activities included in this application.
CARTA certifies that all vehicles purchased are accessible, purchased from an FTA approved TVM, and reported to FTA within 30 days after the contract is signed.
CARTA will check the current listing of transit vehicle manufacturers (TVM) to ensure each is listed as a certified TVM in compliance with FTA regulations.
In addition to FTA's Buy America Act, which requires that the steel, iron, and manufactured goods used in an FTA-funded project are produced in the United States (49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(1)), the Build America Buy America Act (BABA) (Public Law 117-58 Div. G 70914(a)) now requires that construction materials used in infrastructure projects are also produced in the United States.
Refer to terms and conditions in FTA's master agreement section 15.
The BABA requirement applies to this grant in addition to the Buy America Act, except to the extent a waiver of either requirement may apply.
Activities performed: This project includes the construction of a 15,000-square foot building to house a regional passenger transit hub and workforce center with waiting areas, customer service space, ticket vending, and training rooms for CARTA's workforce.
The project would include a bus platform with ten (10) bus bays and four (4) on-route bus charging bays to facilitate passenger transfers.
Also included in the project is the purchase of nine (9) diesel-hybrid buses to replace diesel buses, one (1) on-route fast charging device, and workforce development training.
The workforce training center consists of two (2) training rooms to support CARTA's current and future workforce needs as a joint development with the regional workforce center SC Works Trident.
Expected outcomes: The project's location on Charleston County's Community Services Hub campus will provide safe, convenient access to vital health and human services, job training, and employment services, as well as regional transit via the CARTA bus network and planned BRT project Lowcountry Rapid Transit.
Intended beneficiaries: The transit center will benefit both CARTA and the community it serves with safe and comfortable waiting areas, efficient route transfers, convenient connections to BRT, real-time travel information for passengers, and a covered passenger loading area.
Its location on the campus of the Charleston County Community Services Hub will improve access to vital services and employment opportunities.
CARTA will be partnering with SC Works Trident to support the workforce development activities for this grant.
As CARTA continues to expand transit service in the region and launches the first BRT line in the state, developing a skilled workforce to meet the agency's current and future needs is critical.
CARTA has been working with SC Works Trident to support hiring and recruitment activities, particularly as it relates to staffing operators and CDL training.
Subrecipient activities: None.
The CARTA Shipwatch Square Transit and Workforce Center is a FY 2023 discretionary award; project ID number D2023-LWNO-064.
The project's scope of work includes the construction of a regional passenger transit hub, the purchase of nine (9) diesel-hybrid buses to replace diesel buses, the purchase of one (1) on-route fast bus charging device, and workforce development training in partnership with SC Works Trident.
The useful life for the facility will be 40 years.
The street address of the project site is 3621 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405, which is within the UZA boundary.
The facility workforce development and project administration expenditures will consist of 80% federal funding and 20% local funding.
The vehicle replacement expenditure in this application will consist of 85% federal funding and 15% local funding, and the on-route fast charging device expenditure of this application will consist of 90% federal funding and 10% local funding per the Section 5339 program guidance.
The start date will be the date the grant is awarded, and the projected end date is March 30, 2028.
This project is not for research development.
Indirect costs will be applied to this application and its project management scope of work ALI 11.79.00.
The local funding is provided by the Charleston County sales tax dedicated transportation projects.
CARTA and/or any sub-grantee(s) will follow all 3rd party procurement policies as defined in C4220.1G (Third Party Contract Guidance), and CARTA and/or any sub-grantee(s) will ensure that contractors procured will not be on the FTA suspension and debarment list.
There are no subrecipient activities included in this application.
CARTA certifies that all vehicles purchased are accessible, purchased from an FTA approved TVM, and reported to FTA within 30 days after the contract is signed.
CARTA will check the current listing of transit vehicle manufacturers (TVM) to ensure each is listed as a certified TVM in compliance with FTA regulations.
In addition to FTA's Buy America Act, which requires that the steel, iron, and manufactured goods used in an FTA-funded project are produced in the United States (49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(1)), the Build America Buy America Act (BABA) (Public Law 117-58 Div. G 70914(a)) now requires that construction materials used in infrastructure projects are also produced in the United States.
Refer to terms and conditions in FTA's master agreement section 15.
The BABA requirement applies to this grant in addition to the Buy America Act, except to the extent a waiver of either requirement may apply.
Activities performed: This project includes the construction of a 15,000-square foot building to house a regional passenger transit hub and workforce center with waiting areas, customer service space, ticket vending, and training rooms for CARTA's workforce.
The project would include a bus platform with ten (10) bus bays and four (4) on-route bus charging bays to facilitate passenger transfers.
Also included in the project is the purchase of nine (9) diesel-hybrid buses to replace diesel buses, one (1) on-route fast charging device, and workforce development training.
The workforce training center consists of two (2) training rooms to support CARTA's current and future workforce needs as a joint development with the regional workforce center SC Works Trident.
Expected outcomes: The project's location on Charleston County's Community Services Hub campus will provide safe, convenient access to vital health and human services, job training, and employment services, as well as regional transit via the CARTA bus network and planned BRT project Lowcountry Rapid Transit.
Intended beneficiaries: The transit center will benefit both CARTA and the community it serves with safe and comfortable waiting areas, efficient route transfers, convenient connections to BRT, real-time travel information for passengers, and a covered passenger loading area.
Its location on the campus of the Charleston County Community Services Hub will improve access to vital services and employment opportunities.
CARTA will be partnering with SC Works Trident to support the workforce development activities for this grant.
As CARTA continues to expand transit service in the region and launches the first BRT line in the state, developing a skilled workforce to meet the agency's current and future needs is critical.
CARTA has been working with SC Works Trident to support hiring and recruitment activities, particularly as it relates to staffing operators and CDL training.
Subrecipient activities: None.
Funding Goals
THE LOW OR NO EMISSION COMPETITIVE PROGRAM PROVIDES FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OR LEASE OF ZERO-EMISSION AND LOW-EMISSION TRANSIT BUSES AS WELL AS ACQUISITION CONSTRUCTION AND LEASING OF REQUIRED SUPPORTING FACILITIES.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding Agency
Funding Agency
Place of Performance
South Carolina
United States
Geographic Scope
State-Wide
Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority was awarded
FFY 2023 Section 5339(C) Low Emission Transit Hub Grant
Project Grant SC-2025-007
worth $25,906,730
from the FTA Office of Budget and Policy in December 2025 with work to be completed primarily in South Carolina United States.
The grant
has a duration of 8 years 3 months and
was awarded through assistance program 20.526 Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs.
$5,927,976 (19.0%) of this Project Grant was funded by non-federal sources.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity FY 2023 Competitive Funding Opportunity; Low or No Emission Vehicle Program.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 12/22/25
Period of Performance
12/18/25
Start Date
3/30/34
End Date
Funding Split
$25.9M
Federal Obligation
$5.9M
Non-Federal Obligation
$31.8M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
SC-2025-007
SAI Number
SC-2025-007-00-20.526
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Other
Awarding Office
6943DB REGION 4 DOT FTA
Funding Office
693JJ8 OFFICE OF BUDGET AND POLICY(TBP)
Awardee UEI
NMHJJH48JLB5
Awardee CAGE
4RFY3
Performance District
SC-90
Senators
Lindsey Graham
Tim Scott
Tim Scott
Modified: 12/22/25