LTAP was established as the Montana Rural Technical Assistance Program and began operations January 1, 1983. It is one of the original ten RTAP pilot centers. The pilot program was designed to provide technical assistance, training, and products to county transportation agencies. It has gained solid support from state, city, and county governments. The program was expanded through the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991 to serve urban and rural municipalities and tribal governments. The name was officially changed to Local Technical Assistance Program, thus, LTAP.

LTAP is a success story! Each year the centers put on training in areas relevant to the needs of their state and clientele. Each center has the flexibility to set its own criteria for programs, workshops, newsletters, etc, which is the reason for its success.