New OnlineHub to Help Cities Apply for Federal Infrastructure Funding

Source: Route 50 By Jean Dimeo

The $50 million initiative will provide advice and resources to municipalities, especially small towns, through public sector groups and nonprofits, according to Bloomberg Philanthropies.

A $50 million initiative to aid cities in accessing billions in federal infrastructure funding was announced this week by its sponsors. 

The Local Infrastructure Hub is bringing together public sector groups and nonprofits to help local leaders navigate the complicated Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act application process in order to win grants. Experts will provide free coaching, data analysis and support, among other things, in developing the applications.

Local governments are eligible for funding for a wide range of projects through the $1.2 trillion infrastructure act signed into law last fall. But with nearly 400 separate grants to be doled out over the next 24 months, many communities will struggle to identify and apply for all the funding available to them, according to Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Although open to all cities, the hub will have a special focus on helping traditionally underserved communities because they often lack the expertise and other support that can improve their chances of getting federal resources, the group said.

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