Guide to Local Recovery Update: May 18

A group of nonprofits and government associations have launched a first-of-its-kind infrastructure assistance hub to help cities take advantage of the hundreds of grant programs funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Additionally, several federal agencies and national nonprofits, including the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National League of Cities, the Volcker Alliance, and the Penn Institute have released new resources and information about the federal infrastructure law.

Major nonprofits and government associations launch first-of-its-kind infrastructure assistance hub

Local governments are eligible for billions of dollars in critical funding under the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act. However, many lack the expertise, staff, or time needed to access these much-needed dollars. In response, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the National League of Cities, Results for America, and the United States Conference of Mayors have launched the Local Infrastructure Hub, a national program designed to ensure that all cities and towns can access federal infrastructure funding.

A Bloomberg CityLab op-ed highlights how the hub will bring together nonprofits, city networks, academics, and policy experts to provide direct support to communities as they develop applications. Resources include one-on-one coaching, webinars, on-demand answers to pressing questions, data analytics, guidance from issue experts on a range of infrastructure-related topics, and easily accessible information on the rules and timeframes for specific funding opportunities.

City officials can sign up for updates to the infrastructure hub online.

EPA to hold virtual conversations about new solid waste and recycling funding programs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a series of virtual conversations and feedback sessions about the funding opportunities for solid waste, recycling, and the circular economy that were authorized by the federal infrastructure law. Feedback will be used to develop the new grant programs.

The May 24 webinar will focus on the $75 million in funding for recycling education and outreach, particularly for overburdened and underserved communities, including at the local level. The May 25 webinar will highlight the $275 million in funding for a new solid waste infrastructure and recycling grant program, which would fund local recycling programs and local waste management system improvements.

More information about the EPA’s new waste management infrastructure and recycling programs is available online.

Federal government to open middle-mile broadband infrastructure program June 21

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has released notices of funding opportunities for three major broadband and digital equity grant elements of the federal infrastructure law. One of these programs directly funds local broadband efforts: Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure.

This program expands middle-mile networks, which carry large amounts of data over long distances between local internet networks and global internet networks. The program aims to reduce the cost of connecting unserved and underserved areas. NTIA expects to award grants ranging from $5 million to $100 million. Applications will be accepted from June 21, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2022.

NLC releases a suite of federal infrastructure law resources 

As part of infrastructure week, the National League of Cities (NLC) has released a series of resources to help cities better understand and take advantage of the grant opportunities funded by the federal infrastructure law and the American Rescue Plan Act. This includes: 

• Road Safety Grants Overview 
• Transit Development Grants Overview
• Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation Grants Overview
• ARPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Fact Sheet
• ARPA Clean Water Infrastructure Fact Sheet

NLC also highlighted its Ready to Rebuild webinar series, which is designed to help cities prepare for the new programs funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Volcker Alliance and Penn Institute to hold briefing on federal infrastructure spending package

The Volcker Alliance and Penn Institute for Urban Research are hosting a briefing on how states and local governments are utilizing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Panelists will discuss innovative solutions being pursued, potential roadblocks, and the overall impact of this funding on the nation’s infrastructure.

City officials looking for additional information about the American Rescue Plan Act and additional tools for recovery can visit the Cal Cities Guide to Local Recovery portal.