For a while, I have been in the habit of searching the internet for news of infrastructure funding. I am looking for word of funding that leads to building roads or repaving old highways, something that contractors can look forward to. Infrastructure funding will create jobs and strengthen the economy.
Admittedly, in my singlemindedness, I had only been thinking about infrastructure as it pertains to roads and highways. But recently the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has built a bridge in my logic to other categories of infrastructure that will need construction and dirt moving contractors.
According to our sister publication, WaterWorld, the EPA has announced the 2020 notice of funding availability under its Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). We’re talking about funding that will provide up to $6 billion to support $12 billion in water infrastructure projects. That money and those projects can translate into 35,000 new jobs. These funding programs speed up investment in much-needed projects with WIFIA also setting aside money for the new State infrastructure financing authority WIFIA (SWIFIA).
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said, “EPA’s WIFIA loan program has become one of the most effective tools used in President Trump's efforts to upgrade our nation's infrastructure, create jobs and safeguard public health and the environment. This new round of $6 billion in funding comes in time to help communities that are trying to recover from the health and financial stress of the COVID-19 pandemic and, for the first time, includes funding expressly available to states.”
WaterWorld’s online article says, “This announcement marks the fourth round of WIFIA funding. This year’s notice of funding availability prioritizes construction-ready projects in three areas: updating aging infrastructure; reducing exposure to lead and addressing emerging contaminants; and water reuse and recycling. The 2020 notice of funding availability builds upon the existing, active pipeline of WIFIA projects, which includes 49 projects in 19 states and D.C. For the first time, the agency will evaluate submitted projects using additional criteria that were developed to help clarify project and federal budgetary considerations. EPA will accept letters of interest from prospective WIFIA borrowers for 90 days after publication in the Federal Register.”
A lot of those projects are definitely going to need contractors who know how to move dirt. And now that this “bridge” has been built, let’s see if we can get infrastructure funding for bridges.
And roads.
And highways.
