MINEOLA , NY - Nassau County Comptroller Jack Schnirman announced the release of a policy briefing on infrastructure, developed by the Comptroller’s Policy and Research Unit. The briefing is the first in a new series called “What’s the Issue” in which the Comptroller’s Office will present urgent, big-picture issues to raise awareness, educate the public, and focus on how they directly impact our communities.
In early April 2021, President Biden announced his infrastructure plan which calls for a
$2 trillion investment in American infrastructure. The Comptroller’s report highlights the administration's call for the federal government to support local infrastructure efforts that ensure the safety and mobility of our communities and can help put thousands of residents back to work.
“Infrastructure isn't limited to concrete and asphalt, it spurs economic growth and supports the vital linkages that make Nassau's economy work every day,” said Nassau County Comptroller Jack Schnirman . “Now is the time for our region to seize the moment by supporting ideas that meet the criteria of shovel-worthy and shovel-ready projects that will grow our economy, efficiencies that lessen the operating costs in our budgets, and investments that provide taxpayers a return on their money.”
The policy briefing highlights:
National Impact of Infrastructure Spending:
- One dollar in highway construction generates $1.80 of GDP in the short term.
- Every $1 billion in spending on infrastructure supports more than 34,000 jobs.
- Every dollar spent in water and wastewater infrastructure yields $2.62 in economic output in other industries.
- Every $1 billion in spending on infrastructure supports the 10-year investment gap of $2 trillion.
- $1 billion invested in water and wastewater infrastructure creates more than 26,000 new jobs.
Local Impact of Proposed Infrastructure Projects:
- Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and labor leaders support 12 shovel- ready, high-priority infrastructure projects that are estimated to create more than 3,300 full-time construction jobs and an economic output of over $400 million.
"Investing in building our infrastructure led to the creation of Long Island as America's first suburb,” concluded Comptroller Schnirman . “Investing in maintaining our infrastructure will lead to Long Island being able to thrive for the generations to come.”
You can read the full report at https://opennassau.nassaucountyny.gov/infrastructure.