NWC Federal Spotlight (February 2, 2022, Edition)

Administration releases guidebook on the bipartisan infrastructure package

In November 2021, President Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA; P.L. 117-58) which provides funding for 250 federal programs in more than a dozen federal agencies. Since its passage, NWC members and others had questions about when various grant programs would be implemented. Recently, the administration released “A Guidebook to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for State, Local Tribal, and Territorial Governments, and Other Partners,” that lays out the timing for funded programs in IIJA.

Some highlights are below:

  • Local and Regional Project Assistance Grants (RAISE/APPLICATION PROCESS OPEN) is a competitive grand program for transportation projects with a significant local/regional impact, received $7.5 billion in funding over four years. RAISE funds, originally known as TIGER grants, can be used for a variety of purposes from roads to bridges to dock repair and rails to trails projects. On January 28, the notice of funding opportunity was posted and applications must be received by April 14, 2022 at 5:00pm ET. For more information, click here.
  • National Significant Freight and Highway Projects (INFRA) is a $7.25 billion competitive grant program over four years which offers funds for multimodal freight and highway projects of national or regional significance.  Projects that were funded in FY2021 include: build new inland container port, improve traffic flow, replace bridges, safety improvements, etc. Within this program, there is a State Incentives Pilot Program. Applications will open first quarter of 2022.
  • National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Megaprojects) is a new $5 billion competitive grant program created to support “large, complex projects that are difficult to fund by other means…” Ports and special districts are eligible to apply. DOT will publish selection criteria for projects in Feb. 2022
  • Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act received $1.25 billion over four years to provide loans to states, localities or other public authorities for eligible surface transportation projects. Timing uncertain.
  • National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant provides $1 billion in competitive funds for DOT to states, unit of local government or tribes to replace, remove and/or repair culverts and weirs. Timing of the new program is uncertain.
  • Urbanized Area Passenger Ferry Program provides $150 million in grant funding for passenger ferry projects. A notice of funding opportunity is anticipated this Spring.
  • Corps of Engineers (Corps) Operations and Maintenance (O&M) received $4 billion, including $626 million for damage repairs and $40 million for snowpack monitoring) for O&M at authorized Corps civil works projects. According to the document, the Corps will be issuing multiple contracts in 2022.
  • Inland Waterways Projects. The Corps received $2.5 billion in funds for eligible replacement and construction of inland waterways navigation projects. The document states that the Corps will be issuing contracts in 2022.
  • Port Infrastructure Development Program Grants program received $2.25 billion over 10 years for a competitive grant program for public and private ports and port authorities. According to the DOT, the 2022 notice of funding opportunity, will be released in mid-February.
  • Mississippi River and Tributaries was allotted $808 million in funding under the auspices of the Corps. The Corps will be using the funds for eligible federal projects on the lower Mississippi River or its tributaries and multiple contracts will be awarded in 2022.
  • Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities received $400 million for a new competitive grant program “to test, evaluate, and deploy projects that reduce port-related emissions. The funding is currently on hold.
  • America’s Marine Highway Program Grants received $25 million in a 10-year competitive grant program. These grants aim to develop and expand marine highway service options. A notice of funding opportunity will be released in mid-February.
  • Hydroelectric Production Incentives.  The Department of Energy was provided $125 million in direct subsidies to provide incentives for hydroelectric facilities added to an existing dam. Application opening date is in 2022.
  • Watershed Rehabilitation Program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture received $118 million to rehabilitate high hazard watershed dams—applications will open in spring 2022.
  • Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund (DWSRF) received $11.71 billion for capitalization grants from the states to water utilities, local government, and other entities to upgrade and construct drinking water infrastructure. Applications is through the states.
  • Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (CWSRF) also received $11.71 billion for states to provide loans and grants to eligible entities for construction of wastewater and stormwater systems; nonpoint source pollution, nature-based solutions, etc. Must apply through the states.
  • Water Recycling: The Department of the Interior received $1 billion in grant funding for projects that reclaim and/or reuse municipal, industrial, and agricultural wastewater or address impaired ground and surface waters. The funding opportunity was published on January 14, 2022 to grants.gov and application period closes on March 15, 2022.

To read the Guidebook to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law document, click here.

Best,

Julie Ufner, NWC