Eric Peterson, Author at GLDPartners

US Infrastructure Funding: At A Crossroads in Washington?

GLDPartners knows well the potential of joining public and private resources to further the public objectives for transportation efficiency and economic development. We believe that simplistic views about having the private sector fund those public objectives are, well, naïve and therefore unproductive. With that said, it is right to push the limits in the US about developing comfort and sophistication about producing a supportive political climate and creating policy that enables specific project investment opportunities for ready infrastructure investors. In most US states or local governments there is not today a significant comfort, interest or level of sophistication about reducing the public risk profile by joining their objectives with private investment. This might be about funding projects where the State or local government just doesn't have the cash flow to support the debt to fund infrastructure that is called-for in strategic plans.

By Eric Peterson|2019-06-14T11:03:23-07:00February 23rd, 2018|Blog, Uncategorized|

US tax reform proposals threaten viability of economic development initiatives: Eric Peterson

Economic development advocates, infrastructure developers, local elected officials, governors and members of state legislatures should be concerned and motivated to let their representatives in Congress know of their concern about proposals included in both the outlines of the House and Senate tax reform proposals as far as supporting efforts aimed to create jobs, rebuild infrastructure and promote the competitiveness of American industry.

By Eric Peterson|2019-06-14T11:03:31-07:00November 13th, 2017|Blog, Uncategorized|

TIGER FUNDING: $500M For National Infrastructure Investments – Deadline Oct 16

Another round of TIGER funding has been announced by the USDoT. Project applications are due by October 16th, 2017. Please contact us for more information about the program and views about the kinds of projects that DoT is seeking to fund. One of our senior partners would be pleased to chat with you about your project or project concept and offer advice. As described in the official announcement, eligible projects for TIGER Discretionary Grants are capital projects that include, but are not limited to: •road or bridge projects eligible under title 23, United States Code; •public transportation projects eligible under chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code; •passenger and freight rail transportation projects; •port infrastructure investments (including inland port infrastructure and land ports of entry); •intermodal projects This notice is substantially similar to the final notice published for the TIGER Discretionary Grants program in the Federal Register on February 26, 2016 (81 FR 9935) for FY 2016 funds. The selection criteria remain fundamentally the same as previous rounds of TIGER Discretionary Grants, but the description of each criterion was updated. The FY 2017 TIGER program will additionally give special consideration to projects which emphasize improved access to reliable, safe, and affordable transportation for communities in rural areas, such as projects that improve infrastructure conditions, address public health and safety, promote regional connectivity, or facilitate economic growth or competitiveness. For this round of TIGER Discretionary Grants, the maximum grant award is $25 million, and no more than $50 million can be awarded to a single State, as specified in the FY 2017 Appropriations Act.

By Eric Peterson|2019-06-14T11:03:53-07:00September 6th, 2017|Blog, Uncategorized|

Trump’s Skinny Budget: Concerns for Transport Projects/Economic Development

To read the Administration’s preliminary budget – released by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a week ago – you might not realize that this is the same President who ran on a platform to rebuild America’s infrastructure and create jobs. Referred to as the “skinny budget,” by the Administration, this preliminary FY 2018 federal budget targets the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for a $2.4 billion budget reduction, and a $946 million reduction to the department’s FY 2017 budget. Included in those reductions will be the elimination of many of the Department’s discretionary grant programs – TIGER, FAST Lane, new starts, small starts, essential air service, and Amtrak’s long-distance train service – and research programs including intelligent transportation systems and vehicle safety. The Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s community block grant program are also on the chopping block.

By Eric Peterson|2017-04-11T21:11:57-07:00April 11th, 2017|Blog, Uncategorized|

FAST Act Project Funding Levels: Critical to Project Feasibility

The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) contains several provisions intended to improve the movement of freight throughout America over the next 30 years. These provisions will have significant impact on the nation’s interstate highway system, freight rail system, its ports and airports, and on the intermodal movement of freight across the country and around the world.

By Eric Peterson|2019-06-14T11:04:10-07:00October 23rd, 2016|Blog, Uncategorized|

Congress on the Verge of Sending Water Resources Development Act of 2016 to President

The closest thing to a good old fashion bi-partisan infrastructure bill is about to go to the president. The bill, H.R. 5303, the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (WRDA), contains an inventory of Corps of Engineers projects and the continuation of an effort to the prioritizing harbor and inland waterway projects on the basis [...]

By Eric Peterson|2019-06-14T11:04:11-07:00October 17th, 2016|Blog, Uncategorized|

Proactive Advocacy to Advance Infrastructure Innovation – Our View

There was a collective sigh of relief when President Obama signed into law the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act last December. After all, it was the first comprehensive multi-year surface transportation reauthorization bill to pass Congress in ten years, and it contained a number of innovations and firsts that suggested the possibility of change from the policies of previous surface transportation measures. Other provisions of the act signaled the evolution of key elements of the previous surface transportation reauthorization, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).

By Eric Peterson|2019-06-14T11:04:16-07:00August 5th, 2016|Blog, Uncategorized|

USDoT Unveils Build America Bureau

GLDPartners participates the opening of the new Build America Bureau at the U.S. Department of Transportation Yesterday on July 20th, I attended the opening of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s new Build America Bureau, the latest evolution in the Department’s efforts to streamline and simplify the approval and funding process for infrastructure projects, particularly freight projects with a high level of highway connectivity. This an important development as the federal government is focusing heavily on how to expedite the acceptance and approval of infrastructure projects.

By Eric Peterson|2019-06-14T11:04:16-07:00July 21st, 2016|Blog, Uncategorized|

About Eric Peterson