Categories
We constructed these categories of infrastructure funding programs using funding announcements and web materials, but we acknowledge that our categorization may not align with the labels federal agencies assign to funding programs. Every program in this tool is assigned to at least one category, and some programs are included in more than one category.
Airports
Airports includes programs that fund improvements to publicly accessible airport terminals and related facilities. We detail two programs providing airport funding in this tool.
Broadband
Broadband includes programs that fund expansions to high-speed internet service, with a focus on improving access for tribal nations, rural communities, and communities with low-income residents. We detail four programs providing broadband funding in this tool.
Energy and power
Energy and power includes programs that fund the research and expansion of energy sources, such as nuclear power and natural gas. We detail two programs providing energy and power funding in this tool.
Environmental resilience
Environmental resilience includes programs that fund clean water improvements, wildfire responses, carbon reduction efforts, electric vehicle promotion, and more. We detail 13 programs providing environmental resilience funding in this tool.
Housing
Housing includes programs that fund the construction and maintenance of affordable housing buildings as well as rent supports for people with low incomes and elderly people. We detail nine programs providing housing funding in this tool.
Passenger and freight rail
Passenger and freight rail includes programs that fund the expansion, improvement, and safety of railways, including intercity rail (generally Amtrak) and freight rail. We detail nine programs providing passenger and freight rail funding in this tool.
Ports and waterways
Ports and waterways includes programs that fund improvements to harbors, ports, and shipping channels as well as initiatives focused on access to clean water, water rights for tribal nations, and water recycling. We detail 15 programs providing ports and waterways funding in this tool.
Public transportation
Public transportation includes programs that fund improvements in and expansions of public transit, such as buses and light rail, with a focus on increasing transit service in tribal, rural, and low-income communities. We detail 23 programs providing public transportation funding in this tool.
Roads and bridges
Roads and bridges includes programs that fund improvements in the availability, resiliency, capacity, and safety of US roads, highways, bridges, and other transportation-focused infrastructure. The federal government allows considerable flexibility in the use of these funds, so recipient jurisdictions can often choose to use them for public or active transportation projects instead. We detail 25 programs providing road and bridges funding in this tool.
Project Credits
This data tool was funded by the Melville Charitable Trust as part of the Partnership for Equitable and Resilient Communities Initiative. We are grateful to them and to all our funders, who make it possible for Urban to advance its mission. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders. Funders do not determine research findings or the insights and recommendations of our experts. More information on our funding principles is available here. Read our terms of service here.
- research Yonah Freemark, Mel Langness, Amanda Hermans, Gabe Samuels, Tomi Rajninger, and David Blount
- Design Brittney Spinner
- Data visualization and development Mitchell Thorson
- Editing Lauren Lastowka
- Writing Wesley Jenkins
View the project on Github