New Data from the National League of Cities Reveals Cities Concerned About Funding, Developing and Providing Essential Infrastructure Services for their Residents
As the Congress and the Administration debate the details of a new comprehensive infrastructure package, new survey data released today from the National League of Cities (NLC) shows 91% of cities, towns and villages surveyed identified that insufficient funding for infrastructure is a top priority.
“Local governments have led the way on infrastructure for decades. The latest data and stories from America’s cities, towns and villages highlight the incredibly urgent need for support and partnership from the federal government to pass comprehensive infrastructure legislation,” said Kathy Maness, President, National League of Cities and Councilmember, Lexington, South Carolina. “It is well beyond time to rebuild our nation’s roads, water systems, broadband and workforce. Our communities can’t keep doing it alone.”
The 596 local leaders surveyed in March and April 2021 identified top factors impacting their infrastructure decision-making including insufficient funding (91%), lack of pre-development funds (56%), essential services (31%) and hiring workers skilled for infrastructure (27%). Local leaders have also identified the need for making infrastructure decisions through an equity lens—with nearly 20% of those surveyed identifying equity as a top factor in their decision making. With an estimated $660 billion in local infrastructure needs according to the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University, the survey results reflect that infrastructure demands far exceed city resources.