US Bill Aims to Help Local Businesses Hurt by Transportation Projects

Pending federal legislation aims to help local businesses and nonprofit groups when their operations are disrupted by federally funded transit or highway transportation projects.

The Business Uninterrupted Monetary Program (BUMP) Act was introduced by California Congressman Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) to provide funding to businesses and nonprofits affected by major transit and highway projects in their communities.

If enacted, the BUMP Act will require local sponsors of the projects to create a funding pool that will provide monetary relief to businesses hurt financially when the transit or highway construction impedes customers’ access to the business.

The funding would be allowed to cover utilities, insurance, rent or mortgage, payroll, and loss of income for affected businesses.

Correa introduced the legislation after a major transit project blocked access to businesses in downtown Santa Ana.

BUMP Act

The BUMP Act applies to local sponsors receiving funds for transit (Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants) and highway transportation projects (Federal-Aid Highway Program). The requirements apply to transit projects with a total cost of $100 million or more and highway projects of $50 million or more.

Local sponsors will manage the program and determine which entities qualify for funding. The local sponsors need to create only one BUMP fund for all their qualifying projects. The sponsors can seek a waiver from the U.S. Secretary of Transportation if they already have an equivalent program or can show there will be no interruption or no measurable negative financial impact on the local entities.

Correa reports the proposal is supported by the Anaheim Transportation Network and quotes supporters who highlight the importance of the monetary support to small businesses.