WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08), Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02), and Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) introduced the Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act, legislation which would remove barriers for rural communities to apply for and receive funding under the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program, also known as the Rural Grant Program.

“Congress created the Rural Grant Program in 2021 to ensure that vital federal resources were available to help rebuild roads in rural America. Unfortunately, statutory barriers and significant implementation problems have repeatedly disadvantaged rural areas,” said Rep. Finstad. “Communities such as Fresno, CA – which boasts a population of over 500,000 according to the U.S. Census Bureau – is receiving funding through the “Rural” Grant Program, showing the blatant disregard the Department of Transportation has shown for our rural communities and the underlying Congressional intent. I am proud to lead the effort to right these wrongs, make it easier for rural communities to access vital resources, and ensure the Rural Grant Program is truly serving rural America. Thank you to Reps. Stauber, Golden, and Van Orden for working with me in a bipartisan fashion to meet the needs of rural communities and ensure they have a voice in Washington.”

“While the federal government offers grants to help improve rural infrastructure, an oversight in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allows larger towns to apply for these grants as well,” said Rep. Stauber (MN-08). “The Protecting Infrastructure Investment for Rural America Act will correct this error by lowering the definition of what constitutes a rural area, ensuring these critical resources go to communities that need them most. Rural America matters, so I am proud to work with Rep. Finstad to ensure a level playing field for smaller communities in desperate need of infrastructure funding.”

“As one of the most rural states in the nation, Maine’s roads and bridges are an essential part of everyday life,” said Rep. Jared Golden (ME-02). “With some communities only connected to the rest of the state by a single byway, it’s imperative that they have fair access to federal infrastructure investments. It’s unjustifiable that cities nearly ten times the size of ME-02’s largest municipality are winning grants specifically meant for rural communities, and I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan effort to correct it.”

“Wisconsin farmers, workers, and families deserve to get from Point A to Point B safely,” said Rep. Van Orden (WI-03). “Strong rural infrastructure is essential to strong communities in the Third District, and I am proud to join Reps. Finstad, Stauber, and Golden in this bipartisan effort to deliver results for America’s Heartland.”

The Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act is endorsed by the Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT), National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT), and the National Association of Counties (NACo).

“Minnesota’s 1,777 townships are an important part of the rural fabric of Minnesota. It’s important to keep the definition of “rural” at a level that allows our communities to thrive and fairly compete for federal assistance,” said Jeff Krueger, Executive Director, Minnesota Association of Townships. “Thank you to Congressman Finstad and others who support our “small town” way of life and not a ridiculous population definition that hurts our townships and smaller communities.”

“The National Association of Towns and Townships represents some of the smallest localities in the country. These members should not be forced to compete for federal dollars with communities with a population of up to 200,000 for RURAL surface transportation grant funds,” said Neil Sheridan, NATaT President and Executive Director of the Michigan Townships Association. “NATaT commends Congressman Finstad and his bipartisan colleagues for helping ensure that rural transportation dollars are directed to actual rural communities who also have important infrastructure needs.”

“America’s counties own and operate more roads and bridges than any other level of government, and the vast majority of our nation’s public road miles are located in rural counties,” said National Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase. “The Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act will build on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law by expanding access for counties to the Rural Surface Transportation Block Grant Program. We thank Representative Finstad for his leadership and look forward to working with our bipartisan congressional partners to ensure passage of this important legislation.”

Background: In May 2023, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) and Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) introduced the Rebuilding Rural Roads Act, which would amend the definition of “rural area” under the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program from 200,000 in population or less to 20,000 or less, giving rural communities greater opportunity to secure infrastructure investments.

The Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act would provide a comprehensive solution that removes barriers and ensures rural communities are not forced to compete with big cities for infrastructure funding.

Specifically, the Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act would:

• Lower the definition of “rural area” from 200,000 in population to 20,000 to be in line with definitions used by the Small Business Administration and the USDA Office of Rural Development;
• Clarify that the goal of the Rural Grant program is to promote economic development in rural areas, as well as improve the quality of life for citizens who live in them;
• Allow the grant to be used for common road, bridge, highway, or tunnel projects, expanding the eligibility for more projects in rural areas;
• Strike the minimum project amount of $25M, considering that a most projects in rural areas are under this amount;
• Lower the cost-share burden for communities with populations less than 5,000, increasing the likelihood projects in these communities can be completed in a timely manner; and, 
• Establish a set-aside of at least 5% of funding under the program to go to communities of less than 5,000 in population, ensuring these communities receive federal assistance for their infrastructure needs.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.