TheReview_Nov_Dec_2021_FlipBook

Municipal Finance Column

Federal Infrastructure and Jobs Act By Rick Haglund C ommunities beset with decrepit bridges, crumbling roads, aging water and sewer systems, and spotty Internet connections could get a huge lifeline from the federal government. The far-reaching $1.2 trillion Infrastructure and Jobs Act intends to give states and local governments an unprecedented infusion of cash to help them upgrade infrastructure they, in many cases, had to put off for decades because of a lack of resources. “This marks the largest federal investment in infrastructure in nearly a century and will have a sweeping impact in Michigan and across the nation,” said John LaMacchia II, the Michigan Municipal League’s assistant director of state and federal affairs. Michigan is slated to receive about $10.7 billion from the Act over five years, to rebuild roads and bridges; invest in public transit and broadband internet; build more charging stations for electric vehicles; protect against climate change and cyberattacks; ensure clean drinking water; and upgrade airports. Here’s a breakdown of its major components from a White House summary: • Based on the federal highway funding formula, the state is expected to receive $7.3 billion in federal highway aid and an additional $563 million for bridge replacement and re- pairs over five years. Michigan has 1,219 bridges and 7,300 miles of highway in poor condition. The White House said money allocated to bridges is “the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system.” The state also can compete for nearly $30 billion more in funding for economically significant bridges and other projects that would “deliver substantial economic benefits to communities.” • Michigan will receive at least $100 million to connect The Act was still being considered by the House at the time of printing.

• Local governments and the state are expected to receive more than $1 billion in aid to address climate change, cyberattacks, extreme weather events, and replace lead drinking water pipes. The state can expect to receive $23 million to protect against wildfires, $24 million to stop cyberattacks, and $1.3 billion to ensure Michigan residents have safe drinking water. • Michigan also is expected to receive $1 billion to improve public transit and $110 million to build electric vehicle charging stations. The state also will be able to apply for $2.5 billion in grant funding to expand the nation’s electric vehicle charging network. Michigan airports also would receive $363 million to improve their aging facilities. LaMacchia and others praised Sen. Gary Peters for introducing and helping to pass the Storm Act, which creates a $500 million revolving loan fund to help communities deal with rising water levels, coastal erosion, and flooding caused by an increasing number of severe weather events. The Act is part of the larger federal infrastructure package. “Climate change is generating more frequent severe storms, leading to the unprecedented flooding we’ve experienced recently in Detroit,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said, adding that the Storm Act will be “an important new tool to help Great Lakes cities build resilience to flooding, erosion, and other severe storms.” Detroit and neighboring Dearborn were two of the hardest hit cities in a series of pounding rainstorms that struck the state this summer. The White House said Michigan was hit with 19 extreme weather events between 2010 and 2020, causing $5 billion in damage. Ferndale Mayor Melanie Piana, a former League president, said the Infrastructure Act includes much-needed aid to municipalities that “have been waiting a long to time to rebuild a lot of their infrastructure.” Among other things, she said the Act adds flexibility to the federal Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, making it easier for smaller municipalities to qualify for money to improve public transit, roads and bridges, and build pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly streets. “Safety is a big concern of small municipalities,” she said. “We don’t want to rebuild the same way. We need to address all different modes of getting around.” Piana is particularly excited about new federal spending to address climate change by investing in electric vehicle infrastructure. “I think this is really about building resilient communities across Michigan,” she said.

more Michigan residents to high-speed, broadband Internet. The White House said 14 percent of Michigan residents do not subscribe to an Internet service, and 4 percent of Michiganders do not have access to broadband. High-speed Internet has become increasingly important in the age of COVID, which has boosted remote learning and work. About 2.5 million Michigan residents—one in four—also will be eligible for a federal program that helps low-income families afford often-pricey Internet access.

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021