Local Governments: Sustainable Infrastructure Funding Can Attract New Residents and Spur Economic Development

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/www.nga.org\/news\/commentary\/governors-discuss-implementing-the-iija-with-dot-secretary-pete-buttigieg\/"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.beyondtelecomlawblog.com\/keller-and-heckmans-broadband-infrastructure-funding-blog-series\/"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.nga.org\/iija-implementation-resources\/"]],["a",["href","http:\/\/www.jlhlawoffice.com\/"]],["i"],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aiacontracts.org\/contract-documents\/25161-sustainable-projects-exhibit"]],["b"]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"July 22, 2022"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Many local governments, especially in rural areas, are struggling\nto not only serve, but to keep their populations. As their populations dwindle,\nso do the tax dollars that support local government. Attracting new business\n(and younger generations) to more rural counties and towns takes strong social\nand political will, but an infusion of federal dollars and focus on sustainable\ninfrastructure could help these communities stimulate growth and benefit from\neconomic development \u2013 while also addressing the climate crisis through\ninnovations in transportation and the built environment. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Meanwhile, COVID has changed the way we work, and where we\nwork. A historically high number of remote workers could live virtually\nanywhere in the country and intend to remain at home. With rising housing and\ntransportation costs, big-city residents looking for small-town housing and\nliving expenses may be ideal future residents (and taxpayers) who want what\nsmaller communities have to offer. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"But many small towns are also in a state of crisis, with\nbusinesses shuttered and populations continuing to shrink. How can they fill\nthe gap and attract these new residents, their tax dollars, and their spending\npotential? Infrastructure spending (including telecommunications,\ntransportation, and energy-efficient buildings) may be part of the answer --\nand the federal government is offering an infusion of cash to make that happen\nfor struggling communities. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"In February 2022, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg "],[0,[0],1,"met\nwith Governors"],[0,[],0," to discuss implementation of The Infrastructure,\nInvestment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The IIJA presents opportunities for\ndirect funding of local community projects, as well as public private\npartnerships that can address current economic and environmental challenges for\nlocal governments. Combined with funds currently available under the\nAmerican Rescue Plan Act, this means hundreds of billions in funding available\nto rebuild infrastructure at the state and local level. Related to\nsustainability, the IIJA has provisions for smart cities, electric vehicle\ncharging, resilience, and more."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Another key to providing the lifeblood for struggling rural and\nsmall municipalities is communications infrastructure. IIJA funding for\nbroadband, a key ingredient in attracting remote workers and new businesses, is"],[0,[1],1,"\nlarger historically than all previous broadband grant programs, combined"],[0,[],0,". "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Not every \u201cbuild it and they will come\u201d will take root and grow,\nbut the new infrastructure funding will enable many counties and towns to\nimprove their communities and add some jobs \u2013 or even turn the corner on local\nor regional economic development. Most towns and counties have municipal\nfeatures like parks and libraries, public squares and ample commercial real estate,\nsingle family homes and available lots for the development of affordable\nhousing and mixed-use development. "],[0,[2],1,"As\nstates begin to apply for and deploy"],[0,[],0," the resources available through the various federal\nfunding streams, these are all project types ripe for renewal, local\nleadership, and the creative will to build. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Jessyca Henderson,\nEsq., AIA, CPHC, NOMA, CSI is an attorney and architect based in Maryland,\nproviding legal services related to sustainable design, building science, and\nenvironment. "],[0,[3],1,"www.jlhlawoffice.com"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[4],0,"AIA Document E204\u2122\u20132017,\nSustainable Projects Exhibit, has been developed for use on a wide variety of\nsustainable projects. Learn more "],[0,[5],2,"here."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[6,4],2,"AIA Contract Documents\nhas provided this article for general informational purposes only. The\ninformation provided is not legal opinion or legal advice and does not create\nan attorney-client relationship of any kind. This article is also not intended\nto provide guidance as to how project parties should interpret their specific\ncontracts or resolve contract disputes, as those decisions will need to be made\nin consultation with legal counsel, insurance counsel, and other professionals,\nand based upon a multitude of factors. "]]]]}