President Donald Trump released a statement of principles regarding his infrastructure initiative this week. While aspects of the plan have been discussed over the past year with stakeholders, including the American Soybean Association (ASA), the blueprint released this week is the first official information issued by the White House. As expected the Administration principles call for $200 billion in direct federal funding to leverage a total of $1.5 trillion in infrastructure investments.

In addition to the overall focus and funding for infrastructure needs that will benefit the movement of commodities and the global market competitiveness of U.S. soybeans, there are several specific aspects that are significant for ASA, agriculture and rural America. Financing rural projects is one of the core objectives of the proposal and the blueprint specifically calls for $50 billion in rural infrastructure funding that will be directed to states via block grants. State governors would have discretion as to the specific uses of the funds.

Another important aspect of the Administration’s proposal are calls to expedite permitting for infrastructure projects with a goal of reducing to two years the time it takes for environmental approvals.

Of course, it will ultimately be up to Congress to develop and pass infrastructure legislation and there are significant challenges that will need to be addressed, such as identifying the funding or revenue sources.

The top priority for ASA in any infrastructure initiative is the long-standing need to secure approximately $8 billion in direct federal funding for the construction and upgrade of locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi River System. While Trump and the Administration have indicated support for upgrading inland waterways infrastructure, there are a number of questions regarding the level of funding that would be available for locks and dams and the intent and impacts of some of the Administration’s principles related to inland waterways infrastructure.

In addition to locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi River System, other ASA priorities include funding for roads and bridges, dredging of waterways, maintenance and upgrades to ports and harbors, and expanded rural broadband.

Click here for the full principles document.