WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) introduced the Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act, legislation that would make funding under the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program -- also known as the Rural Grant Program -- more accessible for rural communities by removing barriers that currently put rural America at a disadvantage.

“Roads, highways, and bridges are vital for the survival of rural communities and the efficient transportation of goods,” said Rep. Finstad. “It is unacceptable that small communities across Minnesota and around the country are forced to compete with big cities for the critical resources they need to maintain their infrastructure. It is time for the Department of Transportation to stop overlooking rural America. This legislation will empower rural communities to remain resilient, keeping their roads safe and bolstering their economies. I appreciate Congressman Golden for helping me lead this effort to ensure the Rural Grant Program serves those who need it most.”

“Cities ten times the size of Bangor have no business competing with Maine’s smallest towns for rural infrastructure grants,” Rep. Golden said. “It’s clear that changes are needed to make sure this program is actually helping remote communities and this bipartisan bill will make it right.”

Original cosponsors include: Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), John Moolenaar (MI-02), and Pete Stauber (MN-08).

The Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act is endorsed by the National Association of Counties.

“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 CEO and 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

The Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act would remove barriers that force rural communities to compete with larger towns for federal infrastructure funding. Specifically, the legislation would:

• Lower the definition of “rural area” from 200,000 in population to 30,000 to be in line with definitions used by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 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 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.