When it comes to creating new jobs, let’s pass something we know works

By U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud
(D-Maine)
    Nationally, for every $1 billion invested in transportation and infrastructure projects about 35,000 jobs are created. Mainers understand the value of these types of projects. They provide a boost in employment and economic activity, while providing a long-term benefit to our economy through infrastructure improvements. That’s why I’ve made increasing our national focus on improving our transportation system a top priority.
    The Recovery Act contained some critical funding for our roads, bridges and water systems, but I would have preferred a greater share of the bill’s investments be devoted to these types of projects. That’s why I recently introduced the Building and Updating Infrastructure for Long-term Development (BUILD) Act, which would provide an immediate investment in federal surface transportation programs, leading to a boost in local transportation construction and job creation.
    Passing this bill would provide a meaningful benefit to the economy, a good return on taxpayer investment and the benefit of improved infrastructure, which promotes sustainable economic growth for the long term. Because of the proven connection to employment, I believe that this is the “jobs bill” our country needs right now. It will help put people back to work rebuilding America and provide states the ability to plan ahead with confidence.
    More specifically, the BUILD Act would provide states with an additional $65 billion to address a growing backlog of transportation and infrastructure projects. The funding would flow to states through existing transportation funding formulas and would be paid for through unspent Recovery Act funds. Based on estimates from a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee analysis, the State of Maine’s share of the funding provided by the BUILD Act would be approximately $246 million.
    In addition to providing funding through existing formulas, the BUILD Act would invest in the successful Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. During the first round of TIGER grant funding, the U.S. Department of Transportation received $60 billion in applications for $1.5 billion in funding. Maine would be eligible along with other states to compete for this funding.
    In Maine, small businesses cannot grow and economic development efforts cannot move forward without a robust transportation infrastructure. While Congress continues to work on the next multi-year transportation bill, I think it’s time to provide our states the boost they need to put people back to work and make the investments necessary to support the recovery and encourage long-term growth.
    As our economy continues to face serious challenges, I know that Mainers don’t want talking points and band aid solutions coming from Washington. They want smart policies that work. As a nation we can’t afford anything less. The BUILD Act would not only create jobs for Mainers now when they need them most, but it would also create the economic infrastructure needed for long-term productivity and employment gains.