On Monday, the White House released its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Rural Playbook. President Biden signed the bill into law in December 2021 with specifics on how to improve rural America, including broadband access and clean water.
“There are $14.6 billion in rural-specific programs under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, not including the tens of billions of new dollars set aside for rural communities under DOT’s largest programs, like the Surface Transportation Block Grant, Infra and Bridge Programs,” says Mitch Landrieu, White House senior advisor and infrastructure coordinator. “Because we know that local cost share can be a major impediment for small and rural communities to apply for federal funding, we’ve also helped identify over 100 bipartisan infrastructure programs where we have flexibility or have the option of issuing matching requirement waivers for underserved communities.”
Cabinet and senior committee members will be traveling the country this month to announce $2 billion of rural infrastructure funding announcements. USDA Sec. Tom Vilsack is expected to go on tour once he is out of COVID quarantine.
“It’s going to basically send a very strong message to rural Americans they’re not being left out of this historic bill,” he says. “In fact, investments are being made to reflect the value and importance of rural places and people. When Mitch [Landrieu] talks about fixing bridges and roads, I think about the fact that EMTs are going to be able to get to a home more quickly and a life is going to be saved. When he talks about improving lock and dam systems, I think of the farmer who’s going to get a better price for his crop because we’ll be competitive in the export market.”
Faster internet speeds, road improvements and cleaner communities aren’t enough to slow the population loss from rural areas to cities and suburbs. Vilsack says this administration road tour will also serve to educate the public on USDA’s efforts to keep rural areas growing.
“We’ll have an opportunity to educate people about the important role of [USDA] programs, and to the extent that we hear from folks, we will obviously make sure that we give that information back to our friends with Congress,” says Vilsack.
President Biden also issued a statement on the rural infrastructure tour saying in part, “I am proud today that my Administration is launching a rural infrastructure tour to double down on our unwavering commitment to building a better America where rural communities thrive. In the coming weeks and beyond, Cabinet members and senior administration officials will crisscross the country to meet with, listen to, and deliver infrastructure investments to rural communities. As we unlock federal resources and generate results for these communities, we are unlocking opportunity – job opportunities, educational opportunities, and the opportunity for a better future.”
For more specifics on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Rural Playbook, click here.
