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The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
The IIJA, or Infrastructure Bill, is a once-in-a-generation federal funding opportunity designed to help modernize America’s physical and digital infrastructure.
IIJA Quick facts
The Infrastructure Bill, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, was signed into law in 2021. It authorizes substantial funding for governmental entities, nonprofits, and tribal nations to strengthen the nation's infrastructure. IIJA funding will be allocated extensively at the state and local levels, offering public sector organizations unprecedented modernization opportunities.
Available funds
The law authorizes $1.2 trillion for transportation and infrastructure spending— $550 billion of that figure must be spent before 2026.
Types of eligible projects
While “infrastructure” does refer to physical infrastructure like roads and bridges, IIJA funding is available to a wide variety of projects in areas like utilities, broadband connectivity, public safety, cybersecurity environmental remediation, resiliency and more.
Also known as…
While the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the official name, this funding opportunity is also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIB), INVEST in America Act, the Jobs Act and the Infrastructure Act.
Bridging the digital divide
As dependence on technology rapidly increases, it’s clear that connectivity has become a vital form of infrastructure. With $65 billion in available funds, the IIJA provides the largest investment for broadband deployment in history.
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) is the centerpiece of the IIJA broadband initiative.
Broadband allocations will primarily be disbursed by select federal organizations as well as individual states.
Lowering overall internet service costs and increasing internet access can help lead to greater digital equity.
The funding supports initiatives that include deployment, digital inclusion efforts, rural utilities, middle-mile projects, computer training and more.
IIJA funding opportunities
There are many types and scopes of infrastructure projects that are eligible for IIJA funding. Below, we have provided examples across several funding themes, but this is not meant to represent an exhaustive list of opportunities. You can see even more funding programs by visiting the Government Finance Office Association.
Aviation funding allocation:
$25 B
Aviation funds have been broken up into three major categories:
Airport terminals: Projects that replace aging terminals and increase terminal energy efficiency.
Airport infrastructure: Projects that increase safety and expand capacity.
Air traffic facilities: Projects that replace facilities and equipment and improve safety and security.
More information about funding opportunities is available through the Federal Aviation Administration.
Energy funding allocation:
$68 B
Broadly, this portion of IIJA funding has been earmarked for upgrading outdated power grids. Included in those modernization efforts is a focus on finding new ways to increase energy efficiency and decrease energy consumption, which includes measures for:
- Clean energy initiatives
- Community resiliency programs
- Alternative fuel vehicles
- Supply chains
- More
More information about funding opportunities is available through the Department of Energy.
Energy (rural areas)
competitive grant program:
$1 B
(Available until expended)
Some of the funds allocated for energy initiatives have been used to establish competitive grants. These programs provide financial assistance for environmental protection and improve resilience, reliability, safety and energy availability in remote areas of the United States.
More information about these funding opportunities is available through the Department of Energy.
Public education
competitive grant program:
$500 M
(Available until expended)
Competitive grants have been established to make specific improvements at public schools. These use cases include:
- Energy efficiency (e.g., smart lighting)
- Ventilation
- Renewable energy
- Alternative vehicles
- Alternative fuel vehicle infrastructure improvements
More information about these grant opportunities is available through the Department of Energy.
Smart technologies
Utilities
Powered by cellular-based advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solutions and analytics, next generation smart grid solutions that provide reliable, robust, secure and future-proof technologies. IIJA funding initiatives support clean energy and community resiliency programs that offer demonstrable returns on investment and benefits to customers and communities.
The Internet of Things (IoT)
IIJA also supports intelligent systems like:
- Electric Vehicle (EV) charging
- Smart lighting
- Conditioned-based management/asset tracking
Transportation
total funding allocation:
~$400 B
The transportation funding granted by the IIJA is intended to support transformational projects that make the nation’s transportation systems safer and more resilient. A wide variety of use cases is eligible for a portion of these funds, including but not limited to:
- Roads and bridges
- Passenger and freight rail
- Public transit
- Airports
- Ports and waterways
- Safety and research
- Electric vehicle charging
More information about funding opportunities is available through the Department of Transportation.
Allocation of funds
Cybersecurity funding by state (including DC)
<$12M
DC $10M
RI $10.9M
DE $11M
HI $11M
ND $11M
SD $11M
WY $11M
AK $11M
$12M-$15M
VT $12M
MT $12M
NV $12M
NH $12.4M
NE $12.7M
ME $13M
CT $13M
ID $13M
NM $13M
UT $13M
KS $14M
WV $14M
NJ $15M
IA $15M
OR $15M
$15M-$20M
MA $15.7M
MD $15.9M
CO $16M
AR $16M
MS $16M
OK $16M
LA $16M
AZ $17M
MN $17M
KY $18M
WA $18M
WI $18M
SC $18.3M
MO $19M
AL $19M
IN $20M
$20M-$25M
VA $21M
TN $21M
IL $22M
GA $24M
OH $25M
>$25M
PA $26M
NC $27M
FL $29M
NY $34M
CA $40M
TX $42M
Broadband funding by state
<$3B
NH $2B
VT $2B
ME $2B
DE $2B
RI $2B
WY $2B
HI $2B
ND $2B
SD $2B
$3B-$5B
ID $3B
NE $3B
NM $3B
KS $3B
MT $3B
UT $3B
NV $4B
WV $4B
MS $4B
AK $4B
AR $4B
$5B-$8B
IA $5B
OR $5B
OK $5B
CT $6B
SC $6B
CO $6B
KY $6B
MN $6B
AL $6B
LA $7B
WI $7B
AZ $7B
MD $7B
TN $7B
$8B-$15B
WA $8B
IN $8B
MO $9B
MA $9B
VA $10B
NC $10B
MI $10B
GA $12B
OH $12B
NJ $13B
>$15B
PA $17B
IL $17B
FL $19B
NY $26B
TX $35B
CA $44B
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Additional resources
Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) for Broadband
Get a quick overview of the four main funding opportunities the IIJA offers to broadband service providers.
Essential Transportation Infrastructure Improvements
Read about the decisions state and local governments are making to improve and modernize transportation infrastructure using IIJA funding allocations.
Invest in the Internet of Things with IIJA.
A wide array of smart solutions qualify for funding under the infrastructure bill. Download some examples of some of the intelligent technologies that have received funding.
Smarter infrastructure with IIJA
The infrastructure bill relies on a variety of programs for funding – grants, competitive programs and merit-based applications for example. Download this brief for some of the major funding sources for smart technologies.
Cybersecurity and IIJA
Cybersecurity has become critical infrastructure for state and local governments. Play the video or download the fact sheet to see an overview of IIJA support for data protection.
IIJA fact sheet
Read the White House-produced fact sheet that provides an overview of this once-in-a-generation federal investment.
Federal Aviation Administration overview
Learn about the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and get details on eligibility requirements.
Clean energy infrastructure opportunities
Learn about the infrastructure funding programs available through the Department of Energy (DOE).
Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy Forum
Watch panelists discuss how the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is promoting energy system modernization, with an emphasis on transmission and renewable energy resources.
Frequently asked questions
They’re actually the same bill! IIJA also has several other names and is referred to in many ways — the Invest in America Act, the infrastructure bill — or even by allocation areas and funding sources, like
- Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD), Affordable Connectivity, digital equity and Internet for All in the broadband category
- Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) IoT or National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) from the Department of Transportation
- Grid innovation or smart grid grants from the Department of Energy
Funds are being delivered to state, local, tribal governments and some nationwide entities through formulas and competitive solicitations — it varies with the federal department overseeing each program. Each participating department has an IIJA website outlining requirements and Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Because there are multiple federal agencies, programs, and types of funding the timelines vary. The relevant agency (i.e. Federal Communications Commission, Department of Commerce, Department of Transportation, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) or Department of Energy) will provide application information and including related deadlines on their website.
Federal spending on infrastructure is usually part of the federal budget. Infrastructure investment peaked in the 1970s, at about 2 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). But in terms of dedicated investments in the vein of IIJA, you’d have to go all the way back to the New Deal recovery effort of the 1930s. Yet even that famous initiative, which created well-known structures like the Hoover Dam, the Lincoln Tunnel and the Tennessee Valley Authority, didn’t match the infrastructure investment of IIJA.
Technology is a key component of the infrastructure bill, and Verizon is a leading partner for government and public sector. As Verizon offers best-in-class networking, cybersecurity and IoT solutions, we are excited about the historic opportunity offered by IIJA and inspired by the prospect of transforming our country’s virtual infrastructure.
Learn more:
Verizon Internet of Things (IoT) Solutions