WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) announced a technical assistance guide to help state, local and Tribal governments navigate, access, and deploy resources from the new infrastructure law passed last year. The assistance comes after Smith held a hearing in April aimed at understanding how the infrastructure law could be most equitably and effectively implemented, particularly in small and rural communities.
“The bipartisan infrastructure law is a landmark piece of legislation that will repair and expand our country’s infrastructure,” said Senator Smith. “But the work didn’t end when President Biden signed the bill into law. It’s critical we get technical assistance to local leaders so they have the tools they need to deliver resources effectively and equitably within their communities. I look forward to working with local officials in Minnesota so that we can make this law work for Minnesotans, particularly in small and rural communities.”
Over 90% of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s historic funding will be deployed by non-federal partners. In the past, too many communities have lacked the resources to apply for and deploy transformative infrastructure opportunities. This guide, building on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook and Rural Playbook, highlights programs that help communities navigate programs and resources that can help them deliver infrastructure projects.
Since President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law six months ago, more than $110 billion has been announced and allocated to states and communities from formula and competitive programs for roads and highways, bridges, ports, airports, and water systems, with another nearly $100 billion in notices of funding availability for competitive programs now underway. The historic $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Sen. Smith helped pass, is rebuilding crumbling roads and bridges, replacing lead pipes to provide clean water, delivering cleaner energy, helping provide affordable, high-speed internet to every family in America, and producing concrete results that improve people’s lives and advance equity.
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