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WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Paul D. Tonko introduced two pieces of legislation this week to ensure that all Capital Region communities have the resources they need to access critical federal infrastructure investments: the Access for All Communities Act and the Community Leaders in Economic Development (Community LED) Act. This package of legislation tackles two fundamental challenges facing small, rural, and disadvantaged communities as they apply for funding to support essential local projects—identifying appropriate funding opportunities, and accessing the technical support needed to successfully submit applications.

“America’s infrastructure has long been in a state of disrepair, crippled by continuous inaction in Congress to meaningfully invest in our communities,” Congressman Tonko said. “I was proud to put an end to that long history of inaction by supporting the transformational Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to at last deliver needed resources to our communities, but our work is far from over. I’m committed to ensuring that the funding I fought so hard to advance is delivered to our Capital Region—particularly to our small, rural, and disadvantaged communities that are too often overlooked. This package of legislation will help fill capacity gaps that have left many communities with less access to federal funding and ensure that shovel-worthy, transformative infrastructure projects can help ignite our entire nation’s strongest recovery.”

In every corner of the United States, there are small, rural, and disadvantaged communities with critical infrastructure needs that may have limited local budgets and few or no full-time grant writers. Meanwhile, the federal tools designed to support development in these communities include hundreds of programs, many with complex and costly applications processes, spanning numerous federal agencies. For too many, it is nearly impossible to identify a program that is the right fit and spend the time and resources needed to apply.

The Access for All Communities Act:

• Consolidates information on federal grant opportunities in a public database to increase awareness of programs designed to assist economic development activities in capacity-constrained communities.
• Requires the Department of Commerce to regularly update the database and make recommendations on future policy actions to facilitate increased access to its programs.

The Community LED Act:

• Bolsters the economic development workforce through AmeriCorps partnerships with local governments and organizations to help ensure that critical programs are accessible and within reach for all.
• Ensure that AmeriCorps servicemembers can access training in the federal grantmaking process to serve them in their placement sites as well as throughout their future careers.

Rep. Tonko has long championed infrastructure improvements for local communities across the Capital Region. Most recently, he celebrated the inclusion of 10 Capital Region Community Projects he fought to include in the FY2022 federal budget to support key infrastructure upgrades and public health projects. Last year, he heralded the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with historic investments in roads and bridges, rail, water infrastructure, and public transit.

A fact sheet of the legislation can be viewed HERE.

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