The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Updating our aging infrastructure is an important priority here in New Jersey's 11th District and I was proud to vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which makes a number of important investments in the district. County and municipal governments are a critical partner in this effort and my team is here to help. As you begin to prepare to apply and plan for using these funds, you may find the following resources helpful to your efforts.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

• Infrastructure Law Guidebook: The Administration released a detailed guidebook for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help state and local governments identify funding opportunities. It includes helpful information on each grant program and can also be accessed at www.build.gov.

• U.S. DOT Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Homepage: Additional information can be found on the USDOT Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Homepage found here. This includes links to specific webinars from the operating modes within USDOT (e.g., the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Aviation Administration). As well as a link to the Fact Sheet on Competitive Infrastructure Funding Opportunities for Local Governments.
• RAISE Program Open: Please note that the first discretionary grant funding program to accept applications under the Infrastructure Bill is open. The U.S. DOT published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $1.5 billion in grant funding through the RAISE program. This program helps communities around the country carry out road, rail, transit and port projects with significant local or regional impact. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. EST on April 14, 2022, and USDOT has indicated that selections will be announced no later than August 12, 2022.

Additional resources on BIL Implementation:

BIL Websites:

• DOT: https://www.transportation.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law
• FHWA: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/
• FRA: https://railroads.dot.gov/BIL
• FAA: https://www.faa.gov/bil
• FTA: https://www.transit.dot.gov/BIL
• FMCSA: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/Bipartisan-Infrastructure-Law

Resources for State and Local Governments:

• Modal Webinars: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE0JbKk9QnJ2_Cqh_CwQS4PFmkmUwy2if
• Factsheet:http://wh.gov/localBILfunding

American Rescue Plan - State & Local Fiscal Recovery Fund

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 includes direct funding for local governments for COVID relief.

Earlier this year, the Department of the Treasury issued the Final Rule for this program, also known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, which delivers $475,266,314 to towns and counties in NJ-11 to support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Final Rule – which takes effect on April 1, 2022 – provides state and local governments with increased flexibility to pursue a wider range of uses, as well as greater simplicity so governments can focus on responding to the crisis in their communities and maximizing the impact of their funds.

Here are some resources for the Final Rule:

• The Final Rule provides the rule text and supplemental information.

• The Overview of the Final Rule (attached) provides a summary of major rule provisions for informational purposes and is intended as a brief, simplified user guide for recipients and stakeholders.

• The Statement Regarding Compliance with the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Interim Final Rule and Final Rule provides guidance on the transition from compliance with the Interim Final Rule to compliance with the Final Rule.

• The Final Rule webinar and slide presentation (attached) provide an introduction and summary of the Final Rule.

These materials, as well as additional information and resources, can be found on the program website.