The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), aka Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), was signed into law by President Biden on November 15, 2021. The law authorizes $1.2 trillion for transportation and infrastructure spending with $550 billion of that figure going toward “new” investments and programs. Funding from the IIJA is expansive in its reach, addressing energy and power infrastructure, access to broadband internet, water infrastructure, and more. Some of the new programs funded by the bill could provide the resources needed to address a variety of infrastructure needs at the local level.

The GFOA Federal Liaison Center will monitor program implementation and update resources as needed in the sections below. PLEASE NOTE: The new programs are generally still at various stages of agency development; we will strive to post updates when available.

The Buy America, Build America Act is part of the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA). The act aims to prioritize and incentivize the usage of goods, products, materials, and services made or provided for in the United States. Specifically for infrastructure, the Act will provide Federal financial assistance for any program that has infrastructure, even if infrastructure is not the primary purpose of the program. However, it must adhere to the following requirements:

• All iron and steel used in infrastructure projects must be made in the United States throughout the entirety of the manufacturing process.
• All manufactured products must be produced in the United States. All components of the manufactured product must be produced in the United States and be greater than 55 percent of the total cost of all components of the manufactured product.
• All construction materials must be made in the United States throughout the entirety of the manufacturing process.

Link to initial guidance on the implementation of Buy America, Build America Act (BABA). Click here for the Made in America Office, established under the IIJA to serve as a central hub to help coordinate the Federal Government’s efforts to implement Made in America laws. This is accomplished by increasing transparency and maximizing the use of domestic content when the Federal Government spends taxpayer dollars.

The Justice40 Initiative has made it a priority of the federal government t commit at least 40% of all federal funds from federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened with pollution. The categories of investment are: climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency, clean transit, affordable and sustainable housing, training and workforce development, remediation and reduction of legacy pollution, and the development of critical clean water and wastewater infrastructure. Covered federal investments include any grant or procurement spending, financing, staffing costs, direct spending, or benefits to individuals for a covered program in a Justice40 program.

For more information on the Justice40 Initiative, click on the link here.

The Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool is a geospatial mapping tool to identify disadvantaged communities across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. This tool can help promote the Justice40 program as it can help identify disadvantaged communities. Click here to access the tool.

IIJA Funding for Roads, Bridges, and Railways

The Department of Transportation (USDOT) released state-by-state fact sheets to highlight how the funding could benefit based on the amount the state could expect to receive. You can click HERE to find your state's fact sheet.

IIJA Funding for Public Transportation

The IIJA invests $91.2 billion to repair and modernize transit. The legislation supports expanded public transportation choices nationwide, replacing thousands of deficient transit vehicles, including buses, with clean, zero emission vehicles, and improving accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Link to Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan FAQs for New Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Requirements.

IIJA Funding for Airports and Federal Aviation Administration Facilities

The IIJA invests $25 billion to address repair and maintenance needs, reduce congestion and emissions, and modernize our National Aerospace System.

IIJA Funding for Ports and Waterways

The IIJA invests over $16.7 billion to improve infrastructure at coastal ports, inland ports and waterways, and land ports of entry along our border.

IIJA Funding for Electric Vehicles, Buses, and Ferries

The IIJA includes a $7.5 billion investment in electric vehicle charging to help build out a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers. In addition, there are investments from the IIJA for specific vehicles to transition to electric school buses, transit buses, and even passenger ferries to reduce emissions for their riders, including children and low-income families that bear the greatest burdens of pollution while trying to meet their mobility needs.

IIJA Funding for Broadband Deployment and Access

The IIJA included a $65 billion investment to help close the digital divide and ensure access for all Americans to reliable, high speed, and affordable broadband. The additional funding builds off of investments in previous laws, including the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. As a result of the additional funding, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will implement several new programs. Click HERE for the Internet for All initiative that includes additional information on the new grant programs discussed below.

IIJA Funding for Water Infrastructure

The IIJA invests more than $50 billion through the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure programs.

IIJA Funding for Resiliency

The IIJA makes our communities safer and our infrastructure more resilient to the impacts of climate change and cyber-attacks, with an investment of more than $50 billion to protect against droughts, heat, floods and wildfires, in addition to major investments in weatherization. The legislation is the largest investment in the resilience of physical and natural systems in American history.