Federal Funding Allows CT To Make Much Needed Investments by: Michael Muszynski
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t has been over two years since the passage of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and more than a year since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). As part of those packages, Connecticut is anticipated to receive billions of additional dollars with the goal of improving a variety of infrastructure programs, including roads, bridges, rail, supporting EV charging, making enhancements to water and sewer, along with building out broadband networks. These are lofty goals, however present unique challenges. A lot of this funding is not guaranteed. Many of the programs are competitive, requiring states and municipalities across the country to vie for fixed funding. In order for Connecticut to be successful, it has become apparent that a coordinated state-local partnership is necessary to ensure that we have the resources and ability to compete for this funding. To ensure Connecticut towns and cities are best prepared to seek out this funding, CCM conducted a member-wide survey fielding a series of questions regarding municipal interest and capacity to apply for, and implement grants associated with the new federal funding. Among other hopeful outcomes was to determine what additional coordination and financial support from state and federal partners is needed to assist towns and cities with infrastructure projects.
74%) are not shovel ready. Meaning most are only at the “concept” phase - an idea scribbled on the back of a napkin or buried on a shelf. Many towns and cities identified that they needed additional funding or technical assistance to advance these projects to a shovel phase. Essentially, they need money for planning. In addition, those towns that responded to the survey identified that at least 40% of them require multitown or regional collaboration. This will require the assistance of COGs and other regional partners to best plan and execute these projects. The survey only scratched the surface on these issues. From what CCM has been able to initially conclude is that: (1) a majority of projects require additional financial and technical support to consider them “shovel ready;” (2) there is a need for greater coordination to ensure regional and multitown projects are
However, among the projects that respondents were interested in pursuing, most (approximately
For too long, fiscal problems at the state level have been used as an excuse for overlooking rapidly aging infrastructure, and deferring longer maintenance or replacement of necessary resources. As a result, this presents an increased risk to public safety, and driving higher replacement costs with each deferment. These new and reinvested federal programs can allow Connecticut to make these necessary investments. However, it is clear that a comprehensive and collaborative investment strategy is necessary to ensure Connecticut is able to provide economical and lifestyle advances for the state.
"Shovel Ready" Infrastrucutre Projects 80 60 40 20 0
CCM learned a few things. Primarily, more needs to be done. From a fundamental perspective, a majority of towns and cities appear to be interested in pursuing general transportation projects – those associated with road and bridge upgrades. Other projects, included water and sewer projects, resilience followed by broadband [refer to graph].
properly executed; (3) additional federal or state financial support is necessary to meet the local match requirement to complete a majority of local infrastructure projects; and (4) town and cities would benefit from additional education and awareness regarding grants and technical support opportunities.
General transporta>on
Broadband
Clean water and sewer
Relience
Infrastructure Projects Towns & Ci>es Are Interested in Pursuing 60 45 30 15 0
General Transporta>on
Resilience projects
WINTER 2024 | CONNECTICUT TOWN & CITY | 13
