To further support IIJA implementation, the NGA has recently launched an updated version of its IIJA Program Tracker, which is a key feature of the IIJA resources page.
By Glenn Grimshaw
Since the enactment of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) on November 15, 2022, the National Governors Association (NGA) has concentrated its efforts on providing critical resources and best practices to support Governors’ Infrastructure Coordinators and advisors in implementing the legislation.
Ongoing network calls and in-person convenings have brought together advisors from states and territories, federal representatives and NGA partners to share best practices, learn from subject matter experts and to discuss details with federal officials. In-person convenings to-date have included NGA’s Broadband, Workforce Innovation and Digital Equity Summit held in New Orleans, Louisiana, in June, NGA’s Energy and Critical Infrastructure Resilience Learning Lab held in Wilmington, North Carolina, in July and several Infrastructure Coordinator Workshops held in Washington, D.C., in March and June 2022.
Another area of focus has been the creation and maintenance of an IIJA Resources Page, which offers the latest federal, NGA, association and partner resources, as well as a calendar of upcoming dates and a tracker of programs in the law.
The IIJA Program Tracker
To further support IIJA implementation, the NGA has recently launched an updated version of its IIJA Program Tracker, which is a key feature of the IIJA resources page. The objective of the tracker is to provide a “one-stop-shop” of the latest IIJA information, so that Governors’ Infrastructure Coordinators and other advisors have a real-time credible source of data to help them plan and coordinate federal opportunities to best achieve the infrastructure vision of their Governor.
The tracker has been recently updated to accommodate ongoing feedback from Governors’ Infrastructure Coordinators. Since its enactment, it has become clear that the IIJA is a complex piece of legislation, with over 370 separate programs, of which approximately 140 are new programs that have been recently set up or are in the process of being established by federal agencies. Additionally, the IIJA can be thought of as “application-based” rather than “allocation-based” — meaning that a variety of funding sources made available don’t necessarily fit neatly into traditional funding streams. Within this context, Governors’ advisors have provided constructive input to ensure that the tracker is presented in a way that is clear and useful for their needs.
Features of the revised IIJA Grants Tracker
The revised tracker includes all programs in the IIJA, as well as many of the set-aside programs that are carved out of the primary grant programs. The table has a search field on the top right-hand side and now incorporates an export function where users can download a .CSV version of the latest tracker. Each column in the tracker is sortable so that users can better pinpoint the results they are looking for, such as by agency or program type.
For each program, the tracker now features the following:
- The name of the federal agency and relevant Administration/division if available.
- The program category/asset class, consistent with the latest White House Guidebook published in May (new feature).
- The name of each program, consistent with the latest White House Guidebook published in May. For this column, links have been provided that take users to the federal landing page for the program, if available.
- Funding allocated to each program over the five years 2022-2026 (in billions of dollars). These amounts only include funds that have been authorized and appropriated by Congress or for which agencies have been given contracting authority.
- Whether the measure is a new program or is an existing measure. For many of the existing programs that have been reauthorized by the IIJA, additional funding was added and program requirements were amended through the passage of the legislation.
- The type of grant program, including formula, competitive, and direct federal expenditure programs. Of note, for some programs it is still unclear what type of grant will be issued.
- The latest actions/upcoming milestones of each program. This column is updated at least weekly through research by the NGA to reflect new program Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFO), Requests for Information (RFI), Notices of Intent (NOI) and so forth, with application due dates highlighted at the start of each entry. This column also includes closed program opportunities as a reference point. Each entry in this column is linked to the relevant NOFO, FOA, RFI or NOI documentation on the grants.gov website, Federal Register or agency website. This column is consistent with the IIJA Calendar of Upcoming IIJA Funding Opportunities, which can be found at the top of the IIJA Resources Page.
- Three new columns that highlight if Tribes are eligible for funding, if workforce measures can be funded and if cybersecurity activities represent eligible uses of the program.
- A new dropdown menu for each program, which features a description of each funding opportunity, a list of eligible recipients and the federal cost share/state match required, where available.
The NGA will continue to update the tracker on a regular basis and provide additional information at the request of Governors’ Infrastructure Coordinators. For example, we are currently adding a column of programs that have been designated as covered Justice40 programs, whereby 40% of the overall benefits of the investment flows to disadvantaged communities.
For more information or any suggestions on this resource, please feel free to contact the NGA Infrastructure Team at Infrastructure@nga.org
