2021 Adopted Resolutions

In Support of Advanced Research Projects Agency-Infrastructure (ARPA-I) and Smart City Funding

Resolution Number: 90

WHEREAS, cities share the Biden Administration's priorities of fostering economic strength and good-paying American jobs; creating equitable access to opportunity; tackling the climate crisis; making our infrastructure more resilient; and transforming our nation's infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, there is an historic opportunity to solve the biggest transportation challenges through the bipartisan infrastructure deal and other legislation; and

WHEREAS, President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg have proposed the creation of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Infrastructure (ARPA-I) to scale up R&D efforts to accelerate novel research projects with potential for transformation in climate, equity, safety, smart technologies, as well as in areas that industry is unlikely to undertake due to technical and financial uncertainty; and

WHEREAS, President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg have also proposed a new infrastructure grand challenge to plan, procure, and develop compelling projects, with new innovations, financing, and organizational structures to fundamentally transform how infrastructure is built, delivering projects that reward outcomes and provide solutions to the challenges facing communities; and

WHEREAS, the Senate Commerce Committee has supported these proposals on a bipartisan basis in the Surface Transportation Investment Act of 2021 that authorized funding for ARPA-I and a competitive grant program for city projects that incorporate innovative transportation technologies or uses of data,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges Congress to fully fund the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Infrastructure (ARPA-I) to scale up R&D efforts to accelerate novel, early-stage research projects with potential for transformation in climate and equity; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges Congress to provide funding for local governments to develop transformational infrastructure projects with a climate and equity focus using new innovative technology.