Guide to Local Recovery Update: May 25
The White House has released recordings of its “Infrastructure School” webinar series, which aired earlier this year. The series was designed to help state, local, and tribal governments use the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund much-needed infrastructure projects in their communities. Additionally, the National League of Cities has added new resources to help cities better understand parts of the federal infrastructure law. The two articles dive into the two new programs funded by the spending package and provide several additional resources.
“Infrastructure School” webinar recordings now available
In February and March 2022, the White House hosted a series of webinars called “Infrastructure School” to help state, local, and tribal governments use the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund much-needed infrastructure projects in their communities. The webinars were designed to demonstrate how to use the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook and provide answers to common questions. The recordings of those webinars are now available online.
The first webinar, How to Use the Guidebook, provides an overview of important information and upcoming milestones for each of the major areas of investment in the law. The other additional 12 webinars cover funding opportunities in transportation; climate, energy, and the environment; and high-speed internet.
Transportation
- Airports
- Electric Vehicles, Buses, and Ferries
- Passenger and Freight Rail
- Ports and Waterways
- Public Transportation
- Roads, Bridges, and Major Projects
- Safety
Climate Energy and the Environment
High-Speed Internet
National League of Cities releases new federal infrastructure law resources
Additionally, the National League of Cities has added new resources to its infrastructure resource library to help cities better understand the federal infrastructure law. The two articles dive into the two new programs funded by the spending package and provide several related resources.
The Carbon Reduction Program will help cities reduce their carbon emissions through active transportation and traffic mitigation projects, street light replacement, and alternative fuel vehicle deployment. Transportation generates the largest share of carbon emissions, making such projects crucial to local climate change goals.
The Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program will help reconnect communities that were displaced by the previous infrastructure projects. For decades, many communities, especially low-income urban communities of color, were displaced or lost assets as the result of large-scale transportation projects. The pilot program aims to reduce the longstanding effects of these projects either through planning, capital construction, or technical assistance.
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.