New survey data released this week from the National League of Cities (NLC) shows 91% of cities, towns, and villages surveyed identified that insufficient funding for infrastructure is a top priority.
This data comes on the heels of Congress and the Administration debating the details of the Biden Administration's proposed infrastructure package.
“Local governments have led the way on infrastructure for decades. The latest data and stories from America’s cities, towns, and villages highlight the incredibly urgent need for support and partnership from the federal government to pass comprehensive infrastructure legislation,” Kathy Maness, President of the National League of Cities and Councilmember of Lexington, South Carolina, said in a statement. “It is well beyond time to rebuild our nation’s roads, water systems, broadband, and workforce. Our communities can’t keep doing it alone.”
The 596 local leaders surveyed in March and April 2021 identified top factors impacting their infrastructure decision-making including insufficient funding (91%), lack of pre-development funds (56%), essential services (31%), and hiring workers skilled for infrastructure (27%). Local leaders have also identified the need for making infrastructure decisions through an equity lens—with nearly 20% of those surveyed identifying equity as a top factor in their decision-making. With an estimated $660 billion in local infrastructure needs according to the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University, the survey results reflect that infrastructure demands far exceed city resources.
The new survey data is from the National League of Cities’ annual State of the Cities report, which examines the priorities of cities, towns and villages across the country. The comprehensive analysis will be released in early June.
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SOURCE: National League of Cities
