Category: Mary Scott Nabers’ Insights

Over recent years, smart technologies that emphasize automation, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and data monitoring have become critical components of infrastructure modernization projects. Public officials are doubling down on these types of technologies because of the benefits they deliver. Smart technology was first noticed when governmental entities installed LED lighting, synchronized and adjustable […]

Throughout the country, consortiums, partnerships and work groups are being formed to launch large critical projects. There’s a reason for the collaboration and it is noteworthy enough to point out what the data shows. Partnerships and regional consortiums accomplish more than any one public entity can deliver, especially when funding is needed for large, complex […]

America will continue to be a global economic leader only if the country maintains a skilled and trained future workforce. That critical component could cease to exist without continual monitoring and ongoing training initiatives. Fortunately, public officials at every level of government are committed to maintaining the country’s global status and they are working to […]

The federal government released a National Cybersecurity Strategy last week. It provides guidelines about how cybersecurity should be used to protect critical infrastructure in America. The strategy identifies five key objectives that are eligible for funding. The targets include defending critical infrastructure, disrupting threat actors, taking a more active role related to protection, investing in […]

Many parts of the country have experienced catastrophic winter weather events in recent years. In Texas recent winter weather issues were exacerbated when over-taxed grid networks failed to perform. Grid failures are why some public officials are spending millions on energy resilience projects. The U.S. solar market, which is just one segment of the energy […]

According to data released in 2022, the U.S. currently faces a shortage of approximately 3.8 million homes. More recent projections suggest that number may now be even higher. To address this extremely critical issue, Congress authorized an abundance of funding and an attractive tax incentive plan to address the problem. The federal government’s Housing and […]

For years, state governments affected by the opioid epidemic were locked in intense litigation with pharmaceutical companies, some of which are the most powerful corporations in the world. The years of legal battles are now paying off and approximately $54 billion in settlement money is being distributed to state and local governments across the country. […]

Before environmental concerns became a staple of urban planning, industrial sites dominated waterfront properties in American cities. For decades, factories used urban waterways to dispose of pollutants. As environmental awareness grew, however, those sites were abandoned, but the toxic aftermath lingered. New funding and technology are both available now to remedy that risk, and the […]

A 2019 study pointed to an interesting trend. The data provided very compelling insights into America’s libraries. It revealed that, as libraries digitize books, magazines and services, their reach and impact become significantly greater. The number of citizens using library services increases exponentially with digitization and upgraded space. This revelation has created a paradigm shift […]

Project delivery methods have been debated for years. Which one is best? Which is most efficient? Which reduces risk? Which delivers a project the quickest? Some argue that infrastructure projects are delivered faster and with greater cost-effectiveness when the design-build method of delivery is used. Others disagree. The design-build model of collaborative engagement accelerates project […]

Recent changes to federal funding programs are dramatically widening the scope of airport expansion plans throughout the U.S. In the fall of 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the availability of $1 billion during 2023 for airport expansion projects. Over the next several weeks, the FAA will release its list of awardees for this […]

Public safety is front and center with public officials today. Big changes are coming as historic amounts of federal funding pour into cities, counties, states and special purpose districts for projects to improve public safety that will be launched in 2023. One common thread is that among the diverse range of safety projects already planned, […]

The federal government is using an interesting combination of well-funded grant programs and attractive tax incentives to ensure that America’s historical legacy is preserved. The plan is working… and hundreds of historical renovation and enhancement projects are in planning or design phases throughout the country. Here’s how one funding program works. The U.S. Department of […]

Inflation fears linger, supply chain issues drag on, construction costs continue to rise… and those factors have created significant issues for public officials who were poised to launch new initiatives. Even bond packages that passed supporting local projects are now short on funding because of increases in the original estimated project costs. Congress, in attempting […]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rang in 2023 with a new program designed to provide funding for critical water infrastructure projects. Now, the EPA is providing loans to state financing authorities which are also known as state revolving fund programs. This new program was named after the law Congress passed to create it. It […]

Last year, Congress allocated $1 billion in funding to support technology modernization projects. States, counties, cities and educational institutions are now receiving funding and $100 million flowed to modernization projects at the state and local levels of government last month alone. The funding will support long-overdue efforts to modernize technology systems, secure networks, enhance efficiency […]

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed by Congress in 2022 allocated $1 billion for efficiency upgrades to state and local government buildings. The funding gave public officials new cause to examine the conditions of their public facilities, and many are aggressively capitalizing on the opportunity to use the funding to modernize their facilities. Support is […]

The time has come to stop thinking about port projects in the same way we once did. Everything has changed and with an abundance of funding, port projects in 2023 will include many new components. Over the last several years, shifting economic and environmental conditions have significantly impacted ports. New challenges along with new funding […]

A somewhat overlooked marketplace in years past is now one that should be monitored regularly. Billions of dollars in federal funding, designated specifically for tribal lands, are flowing to Native American communities throughout the U.S. and, projects of all sizes and types are ready to launch in 2023. The feverish levels of investment in tribal […]

In 30 states, the cost of booking a hotel room usually includes a specialized tax purposed for tourism. The revenue collected from hotel guests becomes available for state or local projects that enhance existing venues or deliver new tourist attractions. Sports arenas, convention facilities and performing arts centers are prime targets for this funding. Each […]

Mobility is now a major focus of local infrastructure planning. It is a critical component of almost everything public officials want and need to accomplish. Many of the objectives cannot be accomplished, however, without the inclusion of new technology designed to deliver efficiency, safety, equity and sustainability. Mobility projects currently in development have many common […]

It should be noted that both state and federal officials are funding projects to remedy environmental and safety issues that have persisted for many years. New funding will also recycle many public assets and make them revenue-producing in the future. Federal and state funding sources are openly and aggressively incentivizing private sector investors to help […]

America’s rural regions have never been as high a funding priority as the country’s urban areas. That’s understandable considering the population delta. However, that scenario is changing somewhat. Recent federal funding programs are reversing decades of neglect in America’s rural regions… especially when it comes to infrastructure repair. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), […]

Much of the initial attention from infrastructure funding was focused on broadband and electronic vehicle deployment. But now, other funding sources are getting lots of attention and bridge repair and replacement is occurring throughout the country. The bipartisan infrastructure bill provided $5 billion per year until 2026 just for bridges. That funding is encouraging state […]