Jenniffer Gonzalez Urges to Request Funds Available in the Federal Infrastructure Investment Program

Press Release

The resident commissioner, Jenniffer González Colón, urged agencies and municipalities to request the new funds available under the federal Department of Transportation (DOT), for road, rail, transit and port projects. The competitive funding program, Rebuilding America's Infrastructure Sustainably and Equitably (RAISE), has $1.5 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act.

"This program, previously known as TIGER/BUILD, offers a great opportunity to advance projects around the island that strengthen our transportation system, in this way we become more competitive and improve the quality of life. Puerto Rico has not received these since 2012 and worked so that the island has equal treatment during the consideration of these projects, managing to include these fines, language in the budget reports," said González Colón.

As a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the commissioner promoted and formulated that the Appropriations Committee of the federal House of Representatives include language in the report that accompanies the FY 2021 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill urging the Federal Department of Transportation to fairly consider transportation proposals submitted by territories under the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD, formerly known as TIGER) grant program. This is because only 3 projects have been granted under this program to the territories, although they have submitted 114 applications between fiscal years 2009 and 2019. The RAISE program replaces the BUILD and TIGER programs.

The minimum amount of the RAISE grant is $5 million, except for projects located in rural areas which have a minimum amount of $1 million. Grants cannot exceed $25 million. The deadline for applications is April 14, 2022, and selections will be announced no later than August 12, 2022. The program is applied for through Grants.gov. and you can get more information at the following link: https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2022-02/FINAL-2022-RAISE-NOFO.pdf

DOT indicated that RAISE projects will be evaluated on the statutory criteria of safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, competitiveness and economic opportunity, good repair, partnership and innovation; this year they will also be evaluated in the criteria of mobility and community connectivity. The Department will evaluate universal design and accessibility projects for travelers, and consider how the proposals will increase mobility for cargo and supply chain efficiency. Additionally, the Department encourages applicants to consider how their projects can address climate change, ensure racial equity, and remove barriers to opportunity.

At least $15 million in funding is guaranteed for projects located in areas of persistent poverty or historically disadvantaged communities. Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, RAISE expands the number of communities eligible for a 100 percent federal match of funds, specifically those in rural communities, Areas of Persistent Poverty, and Historically Disadvantaged Communities. To help achieve this goal, the Department has launched a tool that will allow applicants to determine if their project location is considered a Historically Disadvantaged Community. The tool is available here, in it, Puerto Rico as a whole appears as a Historically Disadvantaged Community.

Projects eligible for RAISE grants are those defined as surface transportation capital projects that are: (1) highways, bridges, or other highway projects eligible under title 23, United States Code; (2) eligible public transportation projects under chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code; (3) passenger and freight rail transportation projects; (4) investments in port infrastructure (including inland port infrastructure and land ports of entry); (5) the surface transportation components of an airport project eligible for assistance under part B of subtitle VII of title 49, United States Code; (6) intermodal projects; (7) projects to replace or rehabilitate a culvert or prevent stormwater runoff in order to improve habitat for aquatic species while advancing program goals.

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