Arizona Governor Doug Ducey on Thursday launched a new task force to address the state’s infrastructure needs and appropriate federal funding administered to the state through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The legislation, which was approved on a bipartisan basis, will allocate $1.2 trillion among all states to repair and upgrade critical infrastructure needs, like roads and bridges.
The Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act Task Force will be made of leaders of various state agencies and “technical and subject matter experts and other critical players that will look to enhance collaboration.”
“In the last seven years, Arizona has made significant investments in broadband expansion, energy grid resilience, and more infrastructure improvements. Especially throughout the pandemic, we utilized federal and state funds to continue to build on Arizona’s economic resiliency,” said Governor Doug Ducey on the kickoff of the task force. “The federal infrastructure package was way too expensive, but it did pass and we will take full advantage of its competitive funding and optimize these once-in-a-generation funds to support our state’s future.”
In addition to analyzing the state’s needs, the team will work to secure competitive funding opportunities.
The group, which will last for five years, will be led by Sarah Rose Webber, the state’s Chief Operating Officer.
“It’s not just about the things we build, but the people and the lives we will impact for generations to come,” said Webber. “We often don’t think about infrastructure, but it’s a part of our daily lives. We have a lot to do very quickly, and if we speak and act with one voice, Arizona is better positioned to receive these funds. The IIJA Task Force will set Arizona up for success by building a framework for our state to compete for funding and administer funding statewide.”
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for the Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Doug Ducey” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0. Background Photo “Arizona State Capitol” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0.
