Obama Administration announces next steps in the Build America Initiative

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Published Jan. 20, 2015

Creating new infrastructure to generate economic growth, create jobs and expand opportunity is critical to the American economy. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is working with other federal agencies through President Obama’s Build America Initiative to increase investment in critical infrastructure by forming partnerships between federal, state and local governments and the private sector.

As part of the Build America Initiative, the Vice President announced on January 16, 2015, new ways to drive investment in our nation’s roads, bridges, drinking water, sewer systems and broadband networks.  These opportunities further strengthen the Build America Initiative, which was announced last July, and include:

  • the establishment of a Water Finance Center within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • the establishment of a Rural Opportunity Investment Initiative at the United States Department of Agriculture
  • the establishment of a Qualified Public Infrastructure Bond to help municipalities level the playing field when seeking public-private partnerships
  • aligning nine Federal Agencies to speed the early phases of a project
  • a pilot effort at the Build America Transportation Investment Center at the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to accelerate the development of major infrastructure projects around the country
  • the promotion of the U.S. infrastructure market at the Spring 2015 SelectUSA Investment Summit, which will bring together over 2,500 leading investors and executives from around the world and connect them with US business opportunities.  

The Army Corps will play a critical role in the pilot effort driven by the Build America Transportation Investment Center at USDOT.  Already, the Army Corps works with other Federal agencies and the Build America Transportation Investment Center to better synchronize the various environmental evaluations and permit review processes, including Army Corps’ regulatory reviews completed under the Clean Water Act and Rivers and Harbors Act, with the National Environment Policy Act process led by USDOT for major transportation infrastructure proposals. As we continue to invest in our nation’s infrastructure, the Army Corps, working with the Build America Transportation Investment Center, will continue its work on increasing process efficiencies to enhance the timely execution of the environmental review and permit decision-making process in a balanced way.  

The Army Corps will also support EPA’s new Water Investment Center, which will galvanize private investment in municipal and rural drinking and storm-water systems. The Army Corps will work to support EPA’s new effort by providing administrative and technical expertise where Corps projects are tied to local systems.

Click here for more information on the White House Build America Initiative.

 

Q&A’s

1. What is the Build America Initiative?

The Build America Initiative is a government-wide initiative to increase infrastructure investment and economic growth by engaging with state and local governments and private sector investors to encourage collaboration. The Build America Initiative will expand the market for public-private partnerships and put federal credit programs to greater use. 

2. Which agencies are involved in the Build America Initiative?

The Build America working group includes the following agencies:

  • Department of Defense – USACE

  • Department of the Interior

  • Department of Agriculture

  • Department of Commerce

  • Department of Labor

  • Department of Housing and Urban Development

  • Department of Energy

  • Department of Homeland Security

  • Environmental Protection Agency

  • Office of Science and Technology Policy

  • Council on Environmental Quality and

  • National Economic Council