Rural Playbook Available for Federal Infrastructure Funding

Beautiful Prineville, OR

The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, signed by President Biden in November 2021, will bring significant resources to communities across the United States.

To ensure rural communities can access these investment dollars, the White House has developed a Rural Playbook to act as a roadmap for applying for funding.

Smaller communities often have fewer resources or staff to apply for available federal grant funding. The playbook’s goal is to help make it easier on those communities — like the ones right here in Oregon — so they can access the investments for their communities. The playbook includes information on the programs and sources of funds that are set aside for rural communities. It also lays out certain flexibilities and other benefits specifically for rural communities (such as waivers for matching requirements).

The infrastructure bill focuses on several infrastructure areas, including providing high-speed internet, improving rural transportation options, fixing roads and bridges, upgrading electricity and transmission infrastructure, and more.

Alongside the playbook is a series of fact sheets for funding opportunities, including one focused on energy investments through the U.S. Department of Energy. Energy funding is available for communities to bolster electric vehicle adoption, charging infrastructure, and battery recycling; accelerate the deployment of new transmission lines to connect communities to renewable power options and improve resilience; support clean energy demonstrations for innovative technologies; strengthen clean energy manufacturing and workforce development; retrofit homes and buildings to improve energy efficiency and weatherization; and much more.

Dive in to learn more and read the Rural Playbook online — we look forward to these federal infrastructure dollars supporting Oregon communities.