Smart City Works joins United for Infrastructure 2021, A Week of Education and Advocacy

May 10 – 15 is a week-long series of events raising awareness for our country’s infrastructure needs.

May 6, 2021; Washington, DC – Today, Smart City Works Innovation Hub announced its participation in the annual national advocacy and educational event, United for Infrastructure 2021, that takes place from May 10 – 15, 2021. Across the country, businesses, labor organizations and elected officials will come together to spread the message that the nation must #leadwithinfrastructure.  

Bob Mazer, co-founder of Smart City Works, is bringing together a panel of experts to discuss the impact infrastructure has on economic development and the convergence of federal, state, and local government, the private sector, and innovative startups. The virtual event is free and open to the public and will take place May 14, 2021 starting at 1:30 PM Eastern Time. Attendees can register for the event here.

In the US, most public infrastructure funding comes from state and local governments, with the federal government providing additional support through direct spending, grants, loans, and tax preferences. Federal funding is a significant source of support for transportation and water infrastructure, where the Congressional Budget Office estimates that it accounts for more than a fifth of annual investment. Infrastructure has been closed linked and aligned with economic development. The panel will examine the impact infrastructure has on economic development from the point of view of the Federal government, state and local government, private sector, and emerging startups.

Panelists include:

• Mary MacPherson, President/CEO of the Slovak-American Foundation
• Lisa Brown, Senior Director, Municipal Infrastructure & Smart Communities, Johnson Controls, Inc.
• Susan Baker, Managing Director, GO NorthernVA
• Eta Nahapetian, Manager for Smart Community Innovation and Strategy in the Department of Economic Initiatives in Fairfax County

In 2021, United for Infrastructure and its coalition of more than 500 Affiliates from business, labor, and governments across America are calling on our leaders in Washington to LEAD WITH INFRASTRUCTURE.

Investments, policies, and reforms are urgently needed to keep people safe, to make our families healthier, our communities more resilient and equitable, to make jobs more prosperous and our economy secure. It is time for leaders in Congress and the administration to prioritize infrastructure. It is time to demonstrate the leadership the country needs.

America faces immense challenges: ending the COVID pandemic, rebuilding the American economy, mitigating and adapting to the climate crisis, and making our communities more just, livable, and equitable for everyone. Infrastructure is key to addressing each of these. Infrastructure can jumpstart the economy through strategic stimulus and keep people safe on their commute to work or drinking water from their tap. It enables people to work and learn remotely. It is the foundation of our society.

Now in its ninth year, United for Infrastructure (formerly Infrastructure Week) unites diverse stakeholders to send one message to leaders in Washington and beyond. United for Infrastructure 2021 is led by a coalition of labor, business and policy organizations and joined by hundreds of affiliates nationwide. Programming draws attention to the need to make better policy and invest in our roads, rails, pipes, ports, wires, and more.

“It’s been an honor to work with United for Infrastructure over the years, but there has been no year more important than 2021, given the commitment public and private organizations are making towards modernizing America’s physical and digital systems which make life better for people, address climate change, and make opportunities accessible for all,” Mazer said.

United for Infrastructure Executive Director Zach Schafer says: “We are thrilled that Smart City Works has joined United for Infrastructure 2021.The state of America’s infrastructure is one of the nation’s most pressing issues. We know that investing in infrastructure can play a crucial role in our recovery, creating both short-term and long-term jobs that support middle-class families and allow communities to thrive. When we invest in infrastructure, we invest in ourselves.”  

Register to attend the virtual event

More information about Smart City Works can be found at https://smartcityworks.org.

More information about United for Infrastructure 2020 can be found here: https://unitedforinfrastructure.org/.

Follow @Unite4Infra for event updates.

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