Guide to Local Recovery Update: Sept. 27

The White House released an updated technical assistance guide for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. The guide includes over 150 programs and resources, including the Thriving Communities Program. The state and federal government also provided new information on how to use the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law logo on project funding signs. And the National League of Cities has a new tracker that shows which cities have received Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding.

White House releases updated technical assistance guide

The White House released an updated technical assistance guide for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. This new guide covers over 100 programs and resources that can help cities meet key infrastructure, clean energy, and climate resilience goals. Some of these programs offer hands-on and intensive planning and delivery support for communities. Others are more self-directed resources and tools, such as webinars, websites, and funding.

The White House also maintains a webpage with resources on the Inflation Reduction Act’s elective pay (often called direct pay) provisions. The rule allows tax-exempt and local governments to take advantage of tax credits for building clean energy projects for the first time.

$22 million in technical assistance for under-resourced and disadvantaged communities

The U.S. Department of Transportation is accepting applications for a $22 million targeted technical assistance program. The Thriving Communities Program provides intensive technical assistance to under-resourced and disadvantaged communities to help them identify, develop, and complete transportation and community revitalization projects.

The Transportation Department will prioritize disadvantaged communities and communities with capacity challenges, such as limited budgets and staff. The program also includes set-aside money for state, tribal, or regional organizations.

There is no cost to receive this support. However, interested applicants must identify community partners and submit a letter of interest via a web form by Nov. 15. 

New Bipartisan Infrastructure Law project sign guidance

The state and federal government released guidance on how to use the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law logo on project funding signs. The signs allow local governments to demonstrate how they are using grant funding. The new logo will be integrated into the current C50(CA) series sign specifications for state and local projects funded with federal dollars.

According to state officials, the new ‘Investing in America’ logo will replace the ‘Building a Better America’ logo. The size of the federal logo is 21 inches tall. State and local agency logos are limited to seven inches.

For questions, contact Bang Hua or Kevin Murai.

National League of Cities resources

The National League of Cities (NLC) released a dashboard that shows which cities have received direct federal grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Users can select search filters, such as by location and spending types, or search through the map to find detailed information on city plans.

NLC is also hosting a cybersecurity webinar on Oct. 10. According to a recent NLC report, about 25% of local governments do not have a cybersecurity plan. The webinar will cover best practices and recommendations to help cities score themselves, find cybersecurity gaps, and create an action plan.

City officials looking for additional information about the American Rescue Plan Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, or additional recovery tools can visit the Cal Cities Guide to Local Recovery portal.