Congressman Cohen Notes New White House Guide Helps Memphis Gain Access to Investments Under Historic Infrastructure Law

Press Release

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, today called attention to a comprehensive new guide from the Biden Administration to help Memphis and other local communities navigate all of the historic investments under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) that only he and Congressman Jim Cooper (TN-05) voted for from the entire Tennessee Congressional delegation. This guidebook, available here, highlights how local communities can take full advantage of urgently needed infrastructure funding for road maintenance, expanded public transit, airport upgrades and other critical projects. The guidebook provides information on the IIJA's more than 350 distinct programs and outlines eligibility criteria, application deadlines and contact information, as well as additional resources to help navigate these programs.

Tennessee received a C-minus grade on its Infrastructure Report Card from the American Society of Civil Engineers, indicating deficiencies that require immediate attention.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"We as a nation have been underinvesting in our physical infrastructure for decades, and those decisions have weakened our competitive edge and cost Memphians unnecessary expenses. I was proud to vote for President Biden's historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act -- and attended the White House signing ceremony -- because this law secures funding to invest in our communities, create good-paying union jobs and position our state and region for the future.

"Memphis is the nation's critical distribution center and anything that makes our infrastructure more efficient is good for us and all Americans.

"As I told the Memphis Chamber last week, Memphis has a unique opportunity to strengthen its physical infrastructure with the passage of the IIJA. Millions of dollars are being committed to creating better roads, bridges, transit systems, pipelines and utility transmission networks. I have pledged to work with Mayors Strickland and Harris, and our local municipal, county and state officials and their federal counterparts, to advance critical priorities. Among those, of course, is a third Mississippi River bridge at Memphis, which I will throw my strong support behind once state officials take required preliminary actions."

In recent weeks, Congressman Cohen has called attention to historic levels of funding for bridges, water systems, and other infrastructure that will be paid for because of the IIJA he voted for.

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