Infrastructure Bank Reminds Cities and Towns to Seek Borrowing Authority for Local Infrastructure Priorities
With November’s elections on the horizon, the Infrastructure Bank reminds municipal officials to begin considering which infrastructure projects will require General Assembly and/or voter-approved borrowing authority. By planning ahead, communities may ensure access to the Bank’s below-market financing programs, as well as the timely implementation of projects outlined in capital improvement plans. 
 
"We want to ensure that all 39 cities and towns have access to our unique resources," said Infrastructure Bank CEO Jeffrey R. Diehl. "Receiving authorization to borrow is an essential component of ensuring that borrowers receive the lowest cost of financing possible."
Infrastructure Bank Hosting Legislative Day at RI State House 
On February 12th, the Infrastructure Bank is hosting its annual Legislative Day at the Statehouse in Providence from 3-5pm. Each year, the Bank hosts an event at the Statehouse to provide legislators an opportunity to learn more about our efforts to grow the Rhode Island economy, create local jobs, and protect the environment. We encourage our clients and stakeholders to attend and learn more about how the Bank’s latest initiatives can help meet the increasing needs for robust infrastructure.

As part of the event, the Bank will be presenting municipal officials with their respective municipality’s share of the $7.8 million in cash savings from the Infrastructure Bank’s recent bond refunding.

The Bank will also be announcing the selection of municipalities that will be participating in the 2020 round of the Municipal Resilience Program.
Reminder: Municipal Resilience Program Applications Due Jan. 31 st
The Municipal Resilience Program aims to equip R.I. municipalities with the tools necessary to assess their vulnerability to climate change while providing the required funding to take on specific community resilience projects. Successful applicants gain access to technical assistance from The Nature Conservancy and the opportunity to apply for action grants through the Infrastructure Bank. Applications are due January 31, 2020, before 4:00 p.m.
Reminder: Wastewater Treatment Facility Resiliency Grant Applications Due January 30 th
$5 million in matching grants are available for projects that harden, repair/replace, and/or provide redundancy to publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities. Applications can include projects not just at wastewater treatment facilities, but also at pump stations, sewers, and other critical equipment. Applications can be found here .  

In Rhode Island, as elsewhere, increasing storm intensities have damaged wastewater treatment plants and pump stations. It is expected that climate change will intensify these threats. Rhode Island is home to 19 major wastewater treatment facilities that treat close to 120 million gallons of residential, commercial, and industrial wastewater daily. Designed to take advantage of gravity, many wastewater facilities and associated pump stations are at risk of inundation due to their location at low elevations, often in riverine or coastal floodplains.
Visit our Booth at RI League of Cities & Towns’ 20th Annual Conference
R.I. Infrastructure Bank is looking forward to participating in multiple panel discussions at the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns’ 20th Annual Conference. As a conference sponsor, Bank staff will be occupying a booth and we invite stakeholders to stop by and learn more about the Bank’s programs. Each year, the League of Cities and Towns Conference provides mayors, town managers, finance directors, and other municipal officials the ideal opportunity to connect with Bank staff regarding infrastructure initiatives in their respective communities.

Michael Baer, Managing Director of Business Development for the Bank, will participate on a panel titled "Funding Sources and Profitable Partnerships for Municipal Resiliency and Sustainability Projects" to discuss the Bank’s resources and technical assistance opportunities that it can provide to municipalities to advance local resilience priorities.

Also, Shaun O’Rourke, the Bank’s Director for Stormwater & Resiliency, will facilitate a panel titled "Battery Energy Storage – Information for Planners and Decision-Makers" and how energy storage can provide resilience in our local communities.
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