Golden, Finstad, Stauber, Van Orden Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Access to Federal Infrastructure Funding for Rural Communities

WASHINGTON –  This week, Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02), Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08), and Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) introduced the Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act, which would remove barriers for rural communities to apply for and receive funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program.

“As one of the most rural states in the nation, Maine’s roads and bridges are an essential part of everyday life,” said Golden. “With some communities only connected to the rest of the state by a single byway, it’s imperative that they have fair access to federal infrastructure investments. It’s unjustifiable that cities nearly ten times the size of ME-02’s largest municipality are winning grants specifically meant for rural communities, and I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan effort to correct it.”

The Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act would provide a comprehensive solution that removes barriers and ensures rural communities are not forced to compete with big cities for infrastructure funding. 

“Congress created the Rural Grant Program in 2021 to ensure that vital federal resources were available to help rebuild roads in rural America. Unfortunately, statutory barriers and significant implementation problems have repeatedly disadvantaged rural areas,” said Rep. Finstad. “Communities such as Fresno, CA – which boasts a population of over 500,000 according to the U.S. Census Bureau – is receiving funding through the “Rural” Grant Program, showing the blatant disregard the Department of Transportation has shown for our rural communities and the underlying Congressional intent. I am proud to lead the effort to right these wrongs, make it easier for rural communities to access vital resources, and ensure the Rural Grant Program is truly serving rural America. Thank you to Reps. Stauber, Golden, and Van Orden for working with me in a bipartisan fashion to meet the needs of rural communities and ensure they have a voice in Washington.”

“While the federal government offers grants to help improve rural infrastructure, an oversight in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allows larger towns to apply for these grants as well,” said Rep. Stauber. “The Protecting Infrastructure Investment for Rural America Act will correct this error by lowering the definition of what constitutes a rural area, ensuring these critical resources go to communities that need them most. Rural America matters, so I am proud to work with Rep. Finstad to ensure a level playing field for smaller communities in desperate need of infrastructure funding.”

“Wisconsin farmers, workers, and families deserve to get from Point A to Point B safely,” said Rep. Van Orden. “Strong rural infrastructure is essential to strong communities in the Third District, and I am proud to join Reps. Finstad, Stauber, and Golden in this bipartisan effort to deliver results for America’s Heartland.”

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

###