Conference Connections
Session Spotlight: Federal Issues
From the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the American Rescue Plan and the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act, there are multiple opportunities for municipalities to apply for federal funding for roads, bridges, broadband, transitions to electrification, and historic properties. The League sessions below highlight specific ways to identify, plan, and work to obtain funding for municipal projects.
Tuesday, November 15
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Municipal Climate Resilience: Costs, Resources, & Funding (Room 415). Municipal leaders are identifying local climate vulnerabilities and planning for long-term solutions to severe weather impacts. Listen to what municipalities can do to protect their taxpayers from footing the entirety of costs related to climate recovery, resilience, and mitigation efforts and discover resources available to municipalities, including litigation.
2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Federal Issues: Obtaining & Leveraging Funds from BIL and ARP (Room 403). The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provides opportunities for municipalities to apply for federal funding includes repairs to roads, bridges, broadband, and lead pipe replacement. This timely session will help municipal officials develop best practices to identify, apply for, and utilize these funds to improve their communities.
Wednesday, November 16
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Economic Recovery Act of 2020: Fueling Community Projects (Room 301). Programs in the Economic Recovery Act of 2020 better quality of life, including repurposing dormant historic properties, combatting food deserts, & ensuring incentivized companies and developers give back. Community Benefit Agreements ensure towns reap the rewards of new developments. The Historic Property Reinvestment and Food Security Planning Grant programs transform distressed properties.
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Follow the Money: Accessing Broadband Funding (Jt. w/ JAG) (Room 413). Last year the federal government approved $65 billion dollars to improve broadband deployment and adoption. That funding will flow from the Federal Government to the states for distribution. This panel will explore the way municipalities can apply for grants, and how it can be used once it arrives at the local level.
3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Funding Electric Vehicle Initiatives (Room 421). Funding for adding electric vehicles to municipal fleets has never been better. Learn with Sustainable Jersey about current federal and state funding opportunities for the purchase of electric vehicles from code officials, health departments, and police vehicles to garbage trucks and street sweepers. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality and health by transitioning to alternative fuel vehicles.
Thursday, November 17
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Local Aid: Embracing Change & Evolving (Room 421). We have witnessed minor and monumental changes in NJDOT’s Local Aid program. The Division of Local Aid & Economic Development envisions an improved Local Aid, in step with the times, embracing technological improvements, responding to societal needs, and institutionalizing equity. Join the expert panel for a conversation about IIJA, the changes at Local Aid, and what it means to you.
Guidance on the National Opioid Settlement (Room 309). Earlier this year, the National Earlier this year, the National Prescription Opiate Litigation MDL Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee, several State Attorneys General, and four major defendants announced an agreement on terms of proposed nationwide settlements to resolve all opioid litigation brought by states and local political subdivisions against the three largest pharmaceutical distributors: McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen (Distributors), and manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its parent company Johnson & Johnson (collectively, J&J). These settlements will provide substantial funds to states and local governments for the abatement of the opioid epidemic across the country and will impose transformative changes in the way the settling defendants conduct their business. New Jersey municipalities have achieved 100% participation in the National Opioid Settlement. This session outlines permitted uses and programs with leaders from the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Human Services.