Maintaining Infrastructure with Long-Term Asset Management

While innovation and new builds often capture attention, maintaining existing infrastructure is just as critical. Many municipal leaders face the challenge of aging roads, bridges, and utility systems that require consistent upkeep. Implementing long-term asset management plans helps local governments make informed decisions about repair and replacement schedules, extending the life of public assets and avoiding costly emergency fixes. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recommends proactive maintenance planning as a way to stretch limited infrastructure budgets while improving public safety and service levels¹.

A successful asset management strategy includes conducting regular condition assessments, tracking lifecycle costs, and integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map and monitor physical assets. For example, the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan uses a centralized asset management system that supports data-driven decisions across departments, resulting in better coordination and reduced maintenance costs². Municipal leaders should prioritize funding for tools and staff training to support this kind of approach, as it builds resilience into infrastructure management practices and aligns capital planning with long-term fiscal sustainability.

Integrating Climate Resilience into Core Infrastructure

Infrastructure must be designed and upgraded with climate resilience in mind. Flooding, heatwaves, and extreme weather events are becoming more common, placing new demands on drainage systems, transportation networks, and energy grids. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has highlighted the importance of incorporating hazard mitigation into infrastructure planning to reduce future disaster recovery costs³. This means using materials and designs that can withstand climate stressors and tailoring solutions to specific regional risks.

Cities like Norfolk, Virginia have begun integrating flood resilience into their infrastructure planning through strategies such as elevated roadways and permeable pavements that reduce stormwater runoff⁴. Infrastructure resilience also includes ensuring continuity of services during crises. For example, distributed energy resources like microgrids allow critical facilities to remain operational during grid outages. Municipal leaders should access federal resilience funding, such as through FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, to support these upgrades. Embedding resilience into capital projects from the outset can prevent costly retrofits later and protect vulnerable populations.

Expanding Digital Infrastructure as a Basic Utility

In the modern era, digital infrastructure is as essential as water and electricity. High-speed internet enables education, healthcare access, and economic participation. Yet many rural and low-income urban communities remain underserved. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reports that over 14 million Americans lack access to broadband, with actual figures potentially higher due to outdated mapping⁵. Addressing this digital divide requires a coordinated approach involving federal grants, local planning, and partnerships with internet service providers.

Municipal broadband initiatives offer one path forward. Cities like Chattanooga, Tennessee have demonstrated that public investment in fiber networks can deliver reliable, affordable service while spurring local economic development. To scale digital infrastructure effectively, municipal leaders should conduct local needs assessments, apply for funding through programs like the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, and engage community stakeholders in planning. Equitable access to digital infrastructure supports workforce development, improves government service delivery, and helps close systemic opportunity gaps.

Workforce Development for Infrastructure Innovation

Infrastructure modernization depends not only on technology but also on skilled workers. A