Key to Texas’ strong economic performance has been the state’s robust infrastructure. Long immortalized in song, Texas’ highways and railroads helped spread prosperity across the state. With 12 international airports, 21 seaports, and over 600,000 miles of road today, it’s no wonder Texas is the top exporting state in the nation.
But with an expanding economy and rapidly growing population, more pressure is being put on our critical infrastructure.
The good news is, there’s money on the table.
With the passage of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684), Texas now has access to billions in available federal funds to expand and improve in ways needed to maintain our economic dominance including:
$26.9 billion for highways and $537 million for bridges.
$3.3 billion to improve public transit.
$2.9 billion to improve drinking water.
$1.2 billion for airport development.
$408 million to expand Texas’ electric car charging network.
$100 million for broadband coverage.
$53 million to protect against wildfires.
$42 million to defend against cyber attacks.
And Texas can access even more if we seize the opportunity to apply for additional federal funds including:
$12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program for economically significant bridges.
$16 billion for major projects that will deliver substantial economic benefits to communities.
$2.5 billion for expanding electric vehicle charging networks.
Texas is home to the 9th largest economy in the world and the number one destination for business relocation. That’s not by accident. It’s because we’ve built out a statewide infrastructure that supports entrepreneurialism and innovation.
As our economy grows – and our population along with it – we need to expand and improve the infrastructure that the ‘Texas Miracle’ was built on. The new federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides billions to pay for that expansion.
If we’re going to capitalize on this once-in-a-generation opportunity, though, we have to act now.