Louisiana Governor Signs Executive Order to Increase Access to Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding for Women and Minority Businesses and Celebrates $4 Billion in Funding for the State

Louisiana - On November 15, 2022, the Louisiana Office of the Governor announced that one year after President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), $4 billion in BIL financing had already been announced for more than 120 projects across Louisiana. According to the White House, the state will also get around $5.9 billion in federal money for highways and bridges over the next five years.

Governor John Bel Edwards has frequently challenged his administration and cabinet members to ensure that everyone in Louisiana takes advantage of BIL possibilities. On November 15, Governor Edwards released Executive Order#2022-19, which aims to enhance access to BIL-funded projects for small, minority, women, and veteran-owned, and disadvantaged firms. It also aims to expand access to BIL funding for local and tribal governments, charities, and other community organizations.

“One year in, Louisiana is just beginning to feel the tremendous positive impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Governor Edwards. “This legislation is enabling us to make the transformative infrastructure investments that have been long overdue in our state—investments in roads and bridges, ports, rail, broadband, water systems, orphaned wells, electric vehicles, and more. I would like to thank President Biden, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy and U.S. Representative Troy Carter for supporting this law that will improve quality of life, create jobs, and set Louisiana up for a more prosperous future.”

Among the previously announced projects, Louisiana was the first state in the country to receive BIL financing for broadband expansion. Governor Edwards announced last month that $320 million in BIL funding had been given to two Louisiana companies to increase the manufacturing of electric car battery components, resulting in the creation of hundreds of new jobs. Local governments will also receive $270 million in BIL funds to rehabilitate locally owned bridges. Furthermore, BIL funds for water infrastructure will supplement Louisiana's ongoing endeavor to restore rural water systems using federal American Rescue Plan funds. These are just a few of the numerous critical infrastructure projects in Louisiana that will be funded by BIL.

“The BIL has paved the way for DOTD to make progress on much-needed projects across the state that otherwise would not have advanced due to funding constraints,” said DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D. “Investments like this are what will push our nation and economy forward, especially in Louisiana with our aging infrastructure. With the help of Congressional leaders like Sen. Cassidy and Rep. Carter, this administration has ensured that Louisiana will move major projects forward over the coming years with the passing of the bipartisan law.”

More than $4 billion in funding has been announced for more than 120 projects in Louisiana.

• Roads and Bridges - $2.4 billion
• Internet – Total TBA, at least $100 million
• Water - $101 million
• Public Transit & Clean Buses - $142 million
• Electric Vehicle Charging - $27 million
• Clean Energy & Power - $370 million
• Airports & Ports - $588 million
• Resilience - $367 million
• Legacy Pollution Cleanup - $52 million