Community Spec, LLC

Community Spec Opens New Office & Begins Merge with Terrapin Blue

Chelsey — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:54:22 +0000

Community Spec operating under their parent company, Terrapin Blue Holdings, LLC is positioned to be a leader in the motorcoach industry as experts in grant writing, submission and affiliated grant services. With their family of companies – Community Spec, Plan of Action and Green Room International Productions – Terrapin Blue Holdings, LLC will be the one source for bus companies to further their business. With the ability to write and facilitate grants for their partner companies, manage emergency preparedness training and anti-terrorism efforts for the motorcoach industry as well as furthering media relations through website production, online marketing and search engine optimization Terrapin Blue Holdings, LLC is positioned as a unique consultancy firm to grow bus industry awareness.

For more information about Terrapin Blue or the other organizations, please visit www.terrapinblue.com.

As of May 17, Terrapin Blue Holdings, LLC has expanded to a second location with a new office in Chicago, IL. Anthony Vaccarello and Chelsey Quick, formerly of The BusBank, launched the new location for Terrapin Blue Holdings, LLC. Both Anthony and Chelsey worked with the company’s extensive operator network to build relationships and partnerships with valued vendors in the motorcoach industry. For more information about Terrapin Blue or its other organizations, please visit www.terrapinblue.com.

Community Spec Submits Grants for Hopeful Operators

Chelsey — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:53:14 +0000

Community Spec recently submitted 70 Federal Transit Administration Over The Road Bus Accessibility Grants (OTRBA), which provide funding that allows bus operators to offset the incremental costs of providing ADA accessibility to passengers. The 2010 cycle of OTRBA grants were recently submitted and will be announced for awards during late summer of this year. Community Spec has been very instrumental in securing Federal Transit Administration 5311(f) intercity fixed route funding for bus operator partners securing over $750,000 in South Carolina, $1,500,000 in Mississippi, and over $300,000 in Alabama. The funding received from the 5311(f) program will allow bus operators to purchase vehicles to provide intercity service and supplement operating and marketing costs.

Community Spec Secures More than 3.1 Million for Bus Operators

Chelsey — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:48:51 +0000

Community Spec, operating under the parent company of Terrapin Blue Holdings, LLC, recently secured more than $3.1 million for their bus operator partners through the 2010 United States Department of Homeland Security Intercity Bus Security Grant program (IBSG) that was announced on Thursday, May 13, 2010.

For the third consecutive year in a row, Community Spec clients were at the top of the funding list taking the top three spots in 2010. Over the course of their six years providing professional grant services to the private transportation industry, Community Spec has achieved a 90 percent success rate securing grant awards for their partner companies. The funding provided through the intercity bus security program will allow bus operators to implement facility security enhancements, mitigate events on buses through real time surveillance, vehicle tracking, and provide anti-terrorism training for drivers as well as establish emergency preparedness plans for their organizations.

Newton Bus Service, Inc Recently Awarded Federal Funding through the IBSG

Chelsey — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:47:47 +0000

Newton Bus Service, Inc based out of Gloucester, VA was recently awarded more than $220,000 in federal funding through the Intercity Bus Security Grant program. This is the highest value grant awarded in Virginia this year. Through careful planning and work with Community Spec, LLC, headed by Ryan Kelly, Newton Bus Service, Inc was able to accomplish this great step forward for their business. Newton Bus Service, Inc has been an integral part of the local community commerce in the Gloucester, Richmond, and Peninsula areas throughout their more than 55 years in business. The grant award will be utilized to install GPS Equipment on vehicles and put “Real Time Surveillance” on the motorcoaches as well. Additionally, funds will be utilized to improve access control and security for their facilities in Richmond and Gloucester.

Communty Spec to Speak about Applying for Federal Grants to United Motorcoach Association

Chelsey — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:53:56 +0000

Community Spec plans to present a session about applying for federal grants at the 2010 UMA Motorcoach Expo scheduled February 23-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Over 500 operators from across the United States and Canada are expected to attend the Expo.

The workshop will be on research, development, and administration of federal funding opportunities for the private transportation industry. These opportunities include grants that can be directly applied for by private transportation operators and also by partnering with public entities such as economic development authorities, transit agencies, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations.

The workshop will be held on the 25th from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Room N-235.

Now accepting applicants for 2010 IBSG security grant; attended ABA conference in Maryland last weekend

Chelsey — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:56:41 +0000

The Community Spec staff wish to thank all people who took the time to stop at our booth during the America Bus Association Marketplace at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in Grand Harbor, MD.

We also wish to emphasize that we are still accepting applicants for the 2010 Intercity Bus Security Grant. The deadline is Feb. 12, so please get your application in now. Call or e-mail Ryan Reeves at rreeves (at) communityspec (dot) com to discuss this grant.

For what can the IBSG grant funds be used?

Funds can be used for increased security measures such as enhanced planning, facility security upgrades, and vehicle and driver protection in order to create a sustainable program for the protection of intercity bus systems and the traveling public from terrorism, especially explosives and non-conventional threats that would cause major loss of life and severe disruption.

Note: Please excuse our blurry photos.

Bus industry publication features Community Spec, Ryan Kelly’s tips for motorcoach companies to find more business

Chelsey — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:36:50 +0000

The December 1, 2009 issue of Bus & Motorcoach News featured Ryan Kelly’s presentation to the California Bus Association as part of its industry news section.

The article points out Kelly’s advice to motorcoach companies to diversify their operations and bring in a regular flow of money by forming partnerships with cities and public transit agencies.

Kelly’s other tips presented to motorcoach operators include the following:

Prepare a template with information about your company for any opportunities that may arise.
Have RFPs reviewed by an attorney to reduce confusion
Learn about RFPs nationally with www.fbov.gov.
Regularly attend city council and transit board meetings to learn about upcoming contracts.
Keep an eye out for grant oppportunities.
Widen marketing efforts by seeking out opportunities to get your name and pictures in publications.
Pay attention to social marketing and its free offerings.

Kelly said,

It’s amazing how much you can do and not have to pay for it.”

To see Kelly’s presentation, check out this post: Ryan Kelly gives talk at California Bus Association about staying modern in business world, accessing grants.

Department of Homeland Security grant officials visit Community Spec

Chelsey — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:04:50 +0000

On December 1-2, 2009, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program officials for the Intercity Bus Security Grant program visited Community Spec to discuss improving grant administration and specific practices to streamline the delivery of funds.

Mike Dickson, president of Southeastern Stages, also participated in these meetings. As a two-time IBSG grant recipient, he contributed a firsthand account of his and Southeastern Stages experience with the program.

The meeting included discussions of best practices for environmental and historical preservation (EHP) reviews. Improved actions for the financial review of grant awards included submitting these reviews to DHS more seamlessly and reducing the need for changes to financial documentation after initial grant submission.

Want to know more about the Intercity Bus Security Grant program?

Ask a Community Spec expert or go to the Grant Programs page under the Department of Homeland Security section.

Winning RFP achieved for Nashville, Relax and Ride Regional Bus Service

Chelsey — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:44:20 +0000

Community Spec developed a winning RFP for Gray Line of Nashville for Relax and Ride Regional Bus Service.

According to mufreesborotn.gov,

In 1996 the Relax & Ride bus service was established to transport citizens from Murfreesboro, Smyrna and LaVergne to Nashville as well as provide reverse commute trips from Nashville to Rutherford County. Funding for this program was initially provided through a three-year federal demonstration grant. Since 1999, continuation of the service has been funded from a variety of local and outside sources.

Community Spec can write your RFP too. Look at our Additional Services page or Contact our specialists here.

In addition to this success for Gray Line of Nashville, Community Spec is also developing a policy paper for the company. The paper will articulate and advance the case for regional transportation by emphasizing the economic, social, and cultural benefits to the 10-county Nashville metropolitan area. The newly formed Nashville Transportation Alliance will use this paper to determine a future transportation policy for the region. Go here to read more.

Southeastern Stages approved for intercity grant developed

Chelsey — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:19:22 +0000

South Carolina Department of Transportation recently announced that Southeastern Stages was approved for a SCDOT 5311(f) grant application in the amount of over $700,000 for the purchase of two MCI-D intercity coaches.

Southeastern Stages, Inc. operates regular scheduled service between Atlanta, GA via Augusta, GA to Columbia, SC, Charleston, SC and Fayetteville, NC.

Their fleet operates for almost three million schedule miles annually, and the company has nationwide operating authority and provides charter services throughout the United States and Canada.

Want to know more about the 5311(f) Program?

You can visit our Grant Programs page and look under U.S. The Department of Transportation section, or you can ask a Community Spec professional.