National Association of Counties

Meeting

Infrastructure Week 2019

May. 13, 2019 – May. 16, 2019
Contact Jessica Jennings (202) 942-4264

Beginning on Monday, May 13, 2019, Infrastructure Week will kick off in Washington, D.C. and around the country, bringing together more than 400 affiliate organizations, companies, and cities hosting over 100 events nationwide featuring public and private stakeholders and influencers who are actively shaping the discussion around infrastructure across the nation. 

During this week, the National Association of Counties will partner with other local government organizations, as well as industry stakeholders, in events that highlight the significant role counties play in infrastructure, including broadband access, surface transportation, automated vehicles, recreational and water infrastructure.

Investing $122 billion annually in infrastructure and maintaining and operating public works, counties play a critical part in shaping America’s infrastructure. We own and maintain 46 percent of all public roads, 38 percent of the nation’s bridge inventory and are involved with a third of the nation’s transit systems and airports that connect residents, communities and businesses.

Below, you can view the full list of events hosted by NACo during 2019 Infrastructure Week. Many of these events will be streamed online live to help you participate in Infrastructure Week no matter where you’re at.

Monday, May 13

  • Infrastructure Week 2019 Official National Kickoff Event

    Panel Discussion, “Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Leadership from America’s Cities and Counties"

    Sponsored by the Infrastructure Week Steering Committee

    Monday, May 13 | 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

    The Pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center

    America's cities and counties own and maintain the bulk of the nation's transportation, water and major public infrastructure assets. In this session, leadership from I-Week partners, the National Association of Counties and the National League of Cities, highlight the hard work and accomplishments being made at the local level - and the help still needed from leadership in Washington.

    Learn More

  • American Boating Congress

    Panel Discussion, “Recreational Infrastructure: Boating Matters in the Debate”

    Sponsored by the National Marine Manufacturers Association

    Monday, May 13 | 1:40 pm to 2:20 pm

    The Renaissance, 999 9th Street, NW, Meeting Room 2

    The beginning of the 116th Congress has seen significant momentum on infrastructure, with both sides of the aisle expressing a strong appetite for moving legislation to revitalize and modernize the nation’s infrastructure.  While roads, bridges, and commercial airports are traditionally the main components in broad-scale infrastructure legislative measures, come learn about why recreational infrastructure deserve a seat at the table as Congress looks to tackle our nation’s infrastructure panels.

Tuesday, May 14

  • Smart Infrastructure Summit: Building Tomorrow’s Infrastructure at the Local Level

    Co-hosted by NACo, NLC, Smart City Works, Infrastructure Week

    Tuesday, May 14 | 9:00 am to 1:30 pm

    City-County Briefing Center, 660 North Capitol, NW

    As communities across America work to better serve their citizens, many are looking to a blend of physical and digital infrastructure to improve outcomes in transportation, water, energy, and other built infrastructure systems. But what does it mean to be a "smart" city or region? This summit convenes experts and practitioners from city and county government, public agencies and utilities, and the private sector to define "smart" infrastructure, the opportunities it offers, and the challenges posed by its implementation and governance. Through a series of presentations and panel conversations, audience members will:

    • Learn from leaders with experience implementing digital solutions and projects in the transportation, water, energy, broadband, construction and other sectors;
    • Hear economic development leaders make the case for technology-rich regions;
    • Share in insights from experts dealing first-hand with how to fund and finance smart infrastructure,
    • Discuss the critical role of cyber-security and data protection and how to secure digital and connected infrastructure systems;
    • And, how to ensure that its impacts and benefits are shared equitably and governed democratically.

Wednesday, May 15

  • Broadband and Bagels: Using Broadband to Close the Urban-Rural Divide

    Co-hosted by NACo, NLC, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

    Wednesday, May 15 | 8:30 am to 10:30 am

    City-County Briefing Center, 660 North Capitol, NW

    Across the United States, rural residents lag behind their urban counterparts in broadband access. This digital divide causes disparities in access to jobs, education and healthcare, while harming the ability of rural communities to attract and retain businesses and residents. To address these issues, local leaders are leading innovative plans to bridge that divide. Join the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association for a breakfast conversation about the state of the urban-rural divide and efforts by community leaders to bridge the broadband gap. 

  • Congressional Press Conference Highlighting Park Infrastructure Needs and the “Restore Our Parks” Bill

    Hosted by PEW Charitable Trusts

    Wednesday, May 15 | 11:30 am to 12:00 pm

    Senate Swamp steps (located on the grass across the drive from the east Senate steps)

    Members of Congress are planning to highlight park infrastructure needs and the Restore Our Parks bills with stakeholders present. The event is bicameral and bipartisan.

    Remarks from:

    • Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio)
    • Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah)
    • Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.)
    • Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho)

     

  • The Future is Now: Smart Water Infrastructure

    Co-hosted by NACo, NLC, U.S. Water Alliance

    Wednesday, May 15 | 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

    City-County Briefing Center, 660 North Capitol, NW

    As the US water sector prepares to spend $20 billion over the next decade on capital and operating expenditures, the use of smart water solutions-hardware, software, and analytics-is becoming more popular and necessary. The uptick in sector spending is driven by compounding challenges facing municipalities: maintaining and expanding water infrastructure, water distribution system leaks, rising energy costs, rate affordability for customers, and emerging water contaminants. As local municipalities face mounting pressure to "do more with less," smart water infrastructure is an important solution that needs to be scaled up.

    This interactive event will feature a cross-sector panel of leaders discussing the future of smart water infrastructure solutions—how they can be deployed to solve our most pressing water infrastructure challenges, and the role policymakers can play in making those solutions a reality.

    Register

Thursday, May 16

  • Capitol Hill Briefing: Transportation’s Hometown Impact: Rebuilding with Local Government in the 116th Congress

    Co-hosted by NACo, NLC

    Thursday, May 16 | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm

    106 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Senate Rules Committee Hearing Room

    Local governments play a critical role as public service providers for America’s citizens, especially in the movement of people and goods.  For over nine decades, the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National League of Cities (NLC) have represented the interests of more than 20,000 local officials from across the nation and continue to assist these important institutions today in the pursuit of excellence in public service. During Infrastructure Week 2019, NACo and NLC will partner to host a Capitol Hill briefing entitled “Transportation’s Hometown Impact: Rebuilding with Local Government in the 116th Congress.” Join  Congressional leaders and local officials at this event to learn more about critical transportation programs and reforms that will make an impact in hometowns across the United States.

IW logo

Visit InfrastructureWeek.org to learn more.

Contact

  • Jessica Jennings
    Associate Legislative Director – Transportation and Infrastructure  
    (202) 942-4264

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