Esty Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Help Rural Connecticut Towns

Statement

Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-05) introduced the Rural Infrastructure Development and Partnerships Act, legislation aimed at improving the federal government's coordination with rural communities and helping small towns receive aid in planning, designing, building, and maintaining infrastructure. Esty released the bill along with Rep. John Katko (NY-24) and Rep. John Faso (NY-19), as well as Rep. Peter Welch (VT-AL).

Esty's legislation would establish a federal Office of Rural Partnerships tasked with providing technical assistance to rural communities with infrastructure planning, asset management, life-cycle accounting, and project oversight. The rural partnerships office would also establish an online database of information dedicated to helping communities with planning, construction and maintenance. The bill also creates a liaison position dedicated to monitoring rural community needs at key agencies. Esty's proposal is the first of the Problem Solvers' Caucus Rebuilding America's Infrastructure report proposals to be turned into bipartisan legislation.

"I hear a consistent message from local leaders in small towns throughout northwestern Connecticut: when it comes to the competition for the attention and resources of the state and federal government, they often feel left behind," Esty said. "With a dedicated Rural Partnership Office, rural towns in Connecticut and throughout the country will have a liaison dedicated to helping plan, build, and maintain the infrastructure necessary for a thriving economy. And as advocates inside key agencies like the Department of Transportation and Department of the Interior, specialized staff will keep rural communities' needs in mind as procedures and regulations are developed. By establishing this office, we'll move closer to the goal of ensuring that no town is forgotten."

"With all the pressures on rural America and with most of the government's aid going to urban areas, anything that Congresswoman Esty can do to facilitate assistance for areas like ours is appreciated and needed," Henry Todd, First Selectman of the Town of Canaan said in a statement.

"While others are threatening to shut down the federal government, Elizabeth Esty has remained open for business," Gordon Ridgway, First Selectman of the Town of Cornwall, said in a statement. "This is great for rural areas like ours if we are going to increase resources in our areas. If we are going to improve services like expanding broadband, telecommunications, and internet services, we will need government assistance on these upcoming projects."

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