Thriving Communities Initiative

A Federal Partnership with Communities

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides funding for transformative investments in infrastructure, clean energy, and jobs, but not every community has the same ability to leverage this once-in-a-generation investment.

Urban, rural, and Tribal communities that have suffered historic disinvestment often lack the resources and capacity to successfully engage, develop, design, and deliver infrastructure projects. The Biden administration is committed to closing access gaps by providing targeted support to navigate federal requirements, identify funding and financing opportunities, and grow long-term capacity to leverage transportation investments to achieve broader economic and community development goals.

The Thriving Communities Initiative is coordinating efforts with other federal technical assistance programs and federal staff in regional and state offices through the federal interagency Thriving Communities Network to meet communities where they are at and leverage resources.

The Thriving Communities Initiative recognizes the power of local communities to drive innovation if they have the tools to succeed. This includes providing hands-on planning support and access to a diverse set of technical assistance providers available to work directly with communities as they build upon local assets to co-design and advance infrastructure projects that address critical social, economic, environmental, and mobility needs.

Through the Thriving Communities Initiative, a pipeline of diverse and transformative community-driven infrastructure projects will be advanced across the country to drive inclusive economic growth, build resiliency, and ensure that every place has a chance to thrive.

Thriving Communities is key component of USDOT’s Equity Action Plan.