NJDOT Local Aid Resource Center’s Post

When we ask people to host critical infrastructure in their communities, they are right to ask what's in it for them. Today's announcement of $371 million from the DOE to accelerate the permitting of high-voltage, interstate transmission projects in the US by supporting community infrastructure is a fascinating case of attempting to ensure community benefits through a direct investment by the federal government. It's also a striking comment on the level of public disinvestment that plagues rural and Tribal communities, with much of the funding tied to transmission projects focusing on the provision of basic public safety and health infrastructure. (Read: fire trucks, schools, community centers, groundwater protection.) This is probably not decoupling of resource development from public goods provision that model fiscal policy entails, right Mark Haggerty?, but on the other hand, in so many communities the situation is dire and the dollar figures here are significant--tens of millions to some very small places--making this a space to watch. The details of how these funds are set up and administered will be important and illuminating. #justtransitions #decarbonization #transmission #ruraldevelopment #DOE https://lnkd.in/gBuKbSaX

🚧 Investing in Local Roads Washington County has shared $450K+ with local municipalities to support roadway maintenance—strengthening infrastructure and ensuring safer travel for everyone. 🛣️ 📊 See the full breakdown of shared services here: https://lnkd.in/gKFkBJGP

25% of the proceeds collected within participating region is split up and sent to the counties and municipalities. Your local leaders are the ones who decide how to use those funds, and they're spent on everything from sidewalks and pedestrian facilities to new maintenance vehicles to matching funds for other transportation projects. #yourpennyyourprogress River Valley Regional Commission CSRA Regional Commission Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission SOUTHERN GEORGIA REGIONAL COMMISSION Georgia Chamber of Commerce Georgia Municipal Association Association County Commissioners of Georgia Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp #infrastructure #roadconstruction #roadmaintenance #bridgeconstruction #gatia #tsplost #stateofgeorgia #trafficmanagement

Investing in Local Communities! Governor Phil Murphy has announced $150 million in Municipal Aid grants to enhance infrastructure across 540 New Jersey municipalities. Notably, $22.2 million is earmarked for 56 communities meeting equity criteria, supporting low-income and minority populations. This funding underscores a commitment to equitable and impactful infrastructure improvements statewide. Read more at njsme.org/news-brief #NJInfrastructure #MunicipalEngineering #EquityInAction

Coming up next month is a conference focusing on the next steps for the Nationally Significant Infrastructure regime and proposed reforms. Full details on the conference web page 👇 The event will provide an opportunity for stakeholders of the regime to consider the issues alongside key policy officials, with a range of topics covered including NSIP reform, fast track systems, regulation, collaboration, and environmental impact. Takes place on Monday 13 May. #NSIP #infrastructure #conference #policy 

Today, Maine Section ASCE released its 2024 Report Card for Maine’s Infrastructure. The committee of 41 dedicated volunteers assessed available data to spotlight conditions and needs of 16 infrastructure categories. Maine received a “C” overall its best grade yet and one notch above the nation’s “C-.” Recommendations to raise the grade include identifying new funding especially from user fees, incorporating resilience in projects, and empowering the next generation of skilled workforce. https://lnkd.in/e-GjPnH8

In case you missed it, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced a historic $3.3 billion #investment for locally-led projects that aim to reconnect #communities as part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda. This investment is a significant step towards rectifying past infrastructure decisions that divided communities, and it underscores the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to delivering for communities that have been left behind for too long. This #funding, which is 18 times larger than the investments from the previous year’s standalone Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, will benefit more than 130 communities in 41 states and Washington, DC. The focus is on #Infrastructure #equity, aiming to stitch back communities by adding new #transit routes, #sidewalks, #bridges, #bikelanes, and even capping #highways. These projects are designed to reconnect #neighborhoods that were cut off by #transportation infrastructure decades ago, providing them with direct #access to essential opportunities like #schools, #jobs, #medical offices, and places of #worship. For more information on the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods programs, click here: https://lnkd.in/gyMdPmmf To see the recently update Equity Action Plan, click here: https://lnkd.in/eHnyj4Tc To see the Department's virtual story maps that spotlights communities’ stories and the historic context for the program, click here: https://lnkd.in/eUmbmqtA

In this issue of #TheOT, learn about the first round of infrastructure funding to support almost 50,000 new homes in Peel. Read the article and more 👉 https://bit.ly/4f46W9r

Ever wondered if Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) can leverage grants to improve land use and transportation connections for cities and local municipalities? The answer is a resounding yes! Dive into our latest paper, a national study on how TLC programs can unlock the potential for creating less auto-centric communities and move us away from mass freeway building. Check out the paper here for more details: https://lnkd.in/g-s8J7_z

City of Duluth, Our Streets and Minnesota Department of Transportation made the list from Minnesota for the Reconnecting Communities & Neighborhoods (RCN) Grant Program! Follow the link below for more details on this grant program and the projects selected. #communitybuilding #completestreets #equity #duluth #minnesota #grantfunding "The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Grant Program awarded 132 communities with a total of $3.3 billion in fiscal year 2023 to plan or construct transportation projects that aim to: ~Improve access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, and recreation; ~Foster equitable development and restoration ~Reconnect communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including to mobility, access, or economic development ~Prioritize disadvantaged communities." https://lnkd.in/e3AuZtSn