Transportation
Transportation is critical to the economy and central to a community’s quality of life. A strong transportation system must enable the convenient mobility of people and the efficient movement of goods. Local elected officials can adopt transportation planning and financing strategies that equitably serve a diversity of travel modes, such as bus, rail, pedestrian, bicycle and automobile, that promote development around existing infrastructure, reduce environmental effects, promote economic prosperity and improve the community’s quality of life.
Technology & Communications
Broadband and other telecommunications services should be as accessible and affordable as possible. Universal broadband access promotes economic development, enhances public health and safety and increases educational opportunity for millions of Americans. But having access to broadband without the tools on how to educate people for its use is a sunk cost. There are numerous technological applications that local governments are using to help improve governance, increase efficiency and promote economic development.
Water Systems
While some regions face serious obstacles to the future of their water supply and others do not, this nation’s aging water infrastructure system requires all communities to look at the state of their water supply and explore ways to address it. Investing in water infrastructure and ensuring the safety of water are two of the main priorities local governments are facing. In 2002, the Environmental Protection Agency estimated a funding gap approaching 23 billion annually between current local investment in aging and failing water infrastructure and what it will cost to meet new federal mandates. NLC is working with its partners to identify ways to be a resource for its member on water infrastructure issues. Additional information about water can be found on NLC’s Sustainability page.