How to leverage
infrastructure
bill funding
The IIJA is complex. We break it down to help
state and local governments understand it and
acquire the funds they need.
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) contains $550 billion in new spending through 2026, a majority of which will impact commercial real estate and sustainable infrastructure. Select each question below to learn more about what you need to know before applying for and using funds.
We can help you understand the IIJA, learn which of its funds apply to your infrastructure projects, apply for and obtain those funds, supplement those funds through a public-private partnership (P3) or federal loan, and determine the most effective ways to use funds on your projects. Find out how.
What is the IIJA?
Signed by President Joe Biden in November 2021, the $1.2 trillion IIJA allows state and local governments to access infrastructure bill funds and use them to rebuild U.S. roads, bridges and rails; provide high-speed internet access to all; address the climate crisis; expand the electric vehicle network; invest in underserved communities and more.
What kinds of programs are being funded through IIJA?
- $110 billion, including (but not limited to):
- $40 billion for replacing or repairing bridges
- $8 billion to support significant freight and highway projects
- $7.5 billion in competitive grants to fund road, rail and other significant surface transportation
- $5 billion in competitive grants to support multi-jurisdictional or regional projects of significance that may cut across multiple transportation methods
- $66 billion to modernize the Northeast Corridor, bring Amtrak maintenance up to date, and create world-class rail service to regions beyond the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
- $65 billion to help expand access to and lower costs of reliable high-speed internet for every American
- $65 billion to build thousands of miles of resilient transmission lines to support expansion of renewable and clean energies while cutting costs, and to fund new programs to support the development, demonstration and deployment of cutting-edge clean energy technologies that will accelerate the economy’s transition to net zero
- $55 billion to improve water infrastructure, including replacement of lead service lines and addressing harmful contaminants such as PFAS
- $50 billion to protect against droughts, heat, floods and wildfires, in addition to a major investment in weatherization
- $39 billion to expand public transit options across every state; replace thousands of deficient vehicles, including buses, with zero-emission vehicles; and improve accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities
- $38 billion to help states and territories support a wide variety of traffic safety priorities such as the safety of drivers and vulnerable road users, safety at railroad crossings, and replacement or repair of outdated natural gas pipelines
- $25 billion to address repair and maintenance needs, reduce congestion and emissions, and modernize the National Aerospace system
- $21 billion to remediate environmental damage, address the legacy pollution that harms public health of communities, create union jobs that pay well, and advance long-overdue environmental justice
- $17 billion to improve infrastructure at coastal ports, inland ports, waterways, and land ports of entry at the borders
- $7.5 billion to build a nationwide network of 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations
What types of grants for infrastructure development are being distributed through IIJA?
The IIJA distributes funds through a combination of formula grants for states, whose amounts have been determined based on factors such as population or state size; and competitive grants, which cities, towns and municipalities can compete or directly apply to receive.
How do IIJA formula grants break down by state?
Select each state to see a breakdown of formula funds by program. Also download a PDF of this breakdown here.
What are some examples of IIJA competitive grants?
Following are 25 competitive grant programs for local governments, whose deadlines vary. Please refer to the list with full details here for more info on what's available for distribution.
Transportation Grants
- Rebuilding American Infrastructure Sustainably and Equitably (RAISE) Grants – $7.5 billion
- Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants – $5 billion
- Clean School Bus Program – $5 billion
- National Infrastructure Project Assistance (aka “Megaprojects” or MEGA) – $5 billion
- Safe Streets and Roads for All – $5 billion
- Bus & Bus Facilities Competitive Grants – $2 billion
- Port Infrastructure Development Program Grants – $2 billion
- Rural Surface Transportation Grant – $2 billion
- Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grants – $1 billion
- Reconnecting Communities – $1 billion
Climate energy and environment grants
- Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs – $8 billion
- Flood Mitigation Assistance – $3.5 billion
- Brownfields Remediation Program – $1.2 billion
- Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program – $1 billion
- Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program – $1 billion
- Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas – $1 billion
- Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants – $550 million
- Grants for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Improvements in Schools – $500 million
- Grants for Energy Efficiency and Resilience Code Adoption – $225 million
Broadband, cyber and other program grants
- Smart Grid Investment Grant Program and Energy Sector Operational Support for Cyber Resilience Program – $3 billion
- ReConnect Program – $2 billion
- Middle Mile Grants Program – $1 billion
- State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program – $1 billion
- Water & Groundwater Storage and Conveyance – $1 billion
- Emergency Watershed Protection Program – $300 million
How can you improve your chances of winning competitive grant funding?
While deadlines for many 2022 competitive grants have already passed, there is still time to prepare for the next round, in 2023. Following are some tips to better compete for available competitive grants:
1. Prioritize your capital needs and develop a project pipeline. Consider projects previously deemed impossible to execute due to lack of funding or regional coordination.
2. Use the White House’s guidebook to infrastructure funding to identify the appropriate federal funding streams to target.
3. Start identifying and mapping all lead pipes in your city.
4. Ensure your city or region’s broadband needs are mapped and inventoried by working with your state’s broadband agency.
5. Establish relationships with the regional offices of key federal agencies, as they can provide technical assistance and direct you to resources.
What are some ways to supplement my IIJA funds?
Although the IIJA is distributing $550 billion in new spending, these funds will go only so far to finance projects, requiring state and local governments to consider supplemental methods of funding. One way is through P3s, arrangements between governments and the private sector to build public infrastructure. Combining the strengths of both public and private sectors, a P3 can be a more cost-effective way to deliver innovation and scale, as well as provide much-needed expertise and fill talent gaps. Find out eight crucial factors to consider when pondering a P3 by downloading this whitepaper.
State and local governments also can access credit assistance options such as the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA), which provides credit assistance for qualified transportation projects of regional and national significance. Learn more about how to apply and qualify for financial assistance such as TIFIA by watching this webinar recording.
Spotlight on successful infrastructure projects
-
Client Story - Financing Clean Energy1 of 3U.S. Dept. of Energy
finances clean energy innovations to cut carbon emissions -
Client story - City of Bellevue sparks transformation2 of 3City of Bellevue
transforms neighborhood through public-private partnership -
Contact us to find out how we can help you with your infrastructure project
We can help you strategize, plan, execute, deliver and manage your infrastructure projects.
PRIVACY NOTICE
Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously.
Generally the personal information we collect from you are for the purposes of dealing with your inquiry.
We endeavor to keep your personal information secure with appropriate level of security and keep for as long as we need it for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely. For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please view our privacy statement.