Executive Director’s Monthly Report, August 2026
Last Mile Freight Rebates Open for Second Round of Applications
SCAG’s Last Mile Freight Program (LMFP) Rebate Program is now accepting a second round of applications, offering $49.1 million in rebate funding for last-mile freight operators in the Los Angeles – Long Beach – Anaheim and the Riverside – San Bernardino – Ontario metropolitan statistical areas. Applications will be accepted through Oct. 5.
The program, administered by SCAG in partnership with the South Coast Air Quality Management District through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-funded INVEST CLEAN initiative, supports the deployment of battery-electric commercial vehicles (BEVs) and the scrappage or conversion of existing diesel or gasoline vehicles used in last-mile freight operations. The LMFP Rebate Program completed its review of first-round applications in January 2026.
To learn more about eligibility for the LMFP Rebate Program, read SCAG News.
SCAG Seeks Input via ‘Community Hubs for Mega-Events Needs Assessment Survey’
In July, SCAG began circulating the Community Hubs for Mega-Events Needs Assessment Survey to learn how local jurisdictions are planning fan sites and community hubs for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The survey will identify existing efforts, resource constraints, and funding gaps as jurisdictions prepare for the LA28 Games to help SCAG deliver effective technical assistance and funding. The deadline for providing input is Aug. 13.
This survey is an early step in SCAG’s Community Hubs Toolkit and Activation Program, which will develop a toolkit to support planning for fan zones and community hubs during the LA28 Games. The program will also support activations across the SCAG region to test concepts and share lessons learned.
Learn more about SCAG’s Community Hubs Toolkit and Activation Program and the survey at SCAG News.
New SCAG White Papers Turn Big Data into Local Mobility Insights
SCAG has published five new white papers that showcase how big data analytics can support local mobility planning in Southern California. The white papers correspond to five distinct mobility case studies in the cities of Anaheim, Culver City, Pasadena, and Pomona, as well as San Bernardino County.
The SCAG Transportation Data Analysis Technical Assistance (TA) Program promotes the use of emerging data tools to support data-driven planning across the region. As part of SCAG’s Regional Pilot Initiatives program, the TA Program supports local agencies in accessing advanced mobility datasets and technical guidance to address complex transportation challenges.
To read more and download the case studies, visit SCAG News.
Public Comment Period Concludes for Draft 2027 FTIP and Connect SoCal 2024 Draft Amendment 2
SCAG has concluded the public comment period for the Draft 2027 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) and Connect SoCal 2024 Draft Amendment 2, including the associated draft transportation conformity analyses.
Following Regional Council authorization on July 2, the draft documents were available for public review from July 6 through Aug. 4, allowing anyone in Southern California to review and submit comments. Public input received during the comment period will help inform final revisions before documents are considered for adoption.
The proposed final 2027 FTIP and Connect SoCal Amendment 2 will be presented to the SCAG Transportation Committee and Regional Council in September. On a parallel track, the proposed final transportation conformity analyses will also be presented to the SCAG Energy and Environment Committee and Regional Council in September before submission for final federal approval, anticipated in mid-December.
Housing Trust Fund Ventura County Releases First Funding Opportunity for Residual Receipts Loan Fund
The Housing Trust Fund Ventura County released its first notice of funding availability in June and expects to announce initial awards soon through its new Residual Receipts Loan Fund.
SCAG provided $4.6 million for the new Residual Receipts Loan Fund during round one of the Lasting Affordability Program, funded by the Regional Early Action Planning Grants of 2021 (REAP 2.0). To date, REAP 2.0 has provided approximately $23 million in direct funding to expand housing finance tools and lending products, increasing supply, choice, and affordability.
Long Beach Advances Enhanced Density Bonus Ordinance with SCAG Support
On June 16, the Long Beach City Council approved its Enhanced Density Bonus (EDB) Ordinance. The project assessed the current ordinance, compared density bonus programs in five peer jurisdictions, and developed a feasibility methodology for potential policy updates based on current development conditions.
Long Beach received $250,000 through SCAG's Housing Infill on Public and Private Lands Program, funded by the Regional Early Action Planning Grants of 2021, to update its EDB Ordinance and align it with the city's Inclusionary Housing Policy. The amendments will expand housing opportunities for households at various income levels and provide incentives for diverse residents. The EDB Ordinance is expected to take effect before the end of July.
SCAG Hosts ‘SoCal Transportation Safety Predictive Modeling and Analysis Platform’ Toolbox Tuesday
On July 28, SCAG hosted a Toolbox Tuesday session to demonstrate the SoCal Transportation Safety Predictive Modeling and Analysis Platform, a new tool in development by SCAG to support local jurisdictions investing in traffic safety.
The session demonstrated how the platform can be used for data-informed safety planning and capital investments, and support local agencies and jurisdictions during grant application processes—such as the Active Transportation Program and the Safe Streets and Roads for All program—by providing data and visualizations to identify priorities, document needs, and visualize project benefits.
The entire session will be available soon on SCAG’s YouTube channel.
SCAG Kicks Off Development of Community and Tribal Nations Partnership Strategy
SCAG began its process to create a Community and Tribal Nations Partnership Strategy and invited tribal representatives to participate in an upcoming virtual workshop.
SCAG’s expanding state and federal funding portfolio is an opportunity to improve access to resources that SCAG distributes across Southern California. The Community and Tribal Nations Partnership Strategy will provide actionable recommendations to strengthen SCAG’s capacity to partner with Tribal nations by improving accessibility, clarity, consistency, and accountability in administrative, financial, and operational processes related to partnership and contracting.
SCAG is reviewing internal policies and contracting procedures to improve accessibility, consistency, and ease of use. This effort aims to strengthen partnerships and ensure responsible use of public funds for the benefit of communities across Southern California.
SCAG Go Human Partners with the City of L.A.’s ‘Park to Park’ World Cup Viewing Party
SCAG Go Human partnered with Walk n’ Rollers to host bike fix-it workshops, distribute helmets, and provide bicycle safety education on July 10 and 11 at the “Park to Park” open street event and FIFA World Cup 2026 viewing party, hosted by the Office of Los Angeles City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez. The festival included live watch parties at MacArthur Park, music, open and slow streets, a resource fair, games, and food trucks.
The event also celebrated the completion of the first phase of the Reconnecting MacArthur Park project, funded by SCAG’s Sustainable Communities Program – Civic Engagement, Equity, and Environmental Justice.
SCAG Go Human Partners Hosts Bicycle Fix-It Workshops and Helmet Distribution Booth at CicLAvia
On July 19, SCAG Go Human and Walk n’ Rollers provided bicycle safety education at CicLAvia’s Meet the Hollywoods open streets event. The event temporarily closed streets to vehicles, allowing thousands of Angelenos to enjoy open streets through West Hollywood, Hollywood, and East Hollywood. Go Human and Walk n’ Rollers also hosted bike fix-it workshops and distributed helmets at the Plummer Park Hub.
SCAG Attends the LACI Road to 2028 Summit
SCAG attended the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator’s (LACI) Road to 2028 Summit at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. Regional Council Immediate Past President Cindy Allen and Second Vice President Patricia Lock Dawson joined regional leaders to discuss transportation, sustainability, and workforce development ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena also attended the event.
Key themes included transit and electrification as the foundation of a “green games,” clean energy pathways such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure and workforce training, catalyzing community investment with LACI’s $600 million raised toward its $1 billion goal, and using the LA28 Games to highlight accessible transit, clean air, and a community-driven experience across Southern California.
SCAG Highlights LA28 Games Regional TDM Strategy at ACT International Conference
Courtney Aguirre, Manager of Mobility Planning and Goods Movement, and Turner Lott, senior planner, presented at the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) International Conference in Philadelphia on Transportation Demand Management (TDM). They outlined mobility planning for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, highlighting leadership in coordinating a regionwide TDM strategy for safe and reliable movement of people and goods. The presentation focused on strategies to reduce and shift travel demand; strengthen multimodal connectivity; and enhance regional coordination through communications, wayfinding, mobility programs, and supportive policies.
SCAG was joined by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Houston-Galveston Area Council, who shared lessons from planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Presentations demonstrated how mega-events can drive long-term mobility improvements, stronger partnerships, and more resilient transportation systems, while offering practical approaches for managing major events and disruptions.
SCAG Staff Share Innovation at the 2026 Esri User Conference
SCAG sent 15 staff members to the 2026 Esri User Conference to explore the latest geographic information systems (GIS) technology, share best practices, and connect with geospatial professionals worldwide.
At the conference, Senior Regional Planner Mengdi Li and Junior Planner Cristian Llamas presented the enhanced workflow for the Connect SoCal 2050 Local Data Exchange Data/Map Books during the “Unlock the Modern Toolkit for Planners” session. They demonstrated how SCAG streamlined production of 197 customized ArcGIS StoryMaps, improving access and usability for local jurisdictions to review and update data for the Local Data Exchange (LDX). Visit the LDX website to view the Data/Map Book StoryMaps.
