Jessica Routzahn

Jessica Routzahn

Jessica joined National Association of Regional Council (NARC) in 2019 as an intern and now serves as Program Manager. She manages NARC’s economic and community development portfolio as well as NARC’s energy and environment portfolio. In addition to her policy experience, she performs legislative research on issues relevant to the work of NARC members, assisting in advocacy needs including social media, and managing the organization’s grant work.

Solar Power in Your Community: DOE Office of Energy Efficacy and Renewable Energy Release a Guidebook for Localities to Develop Solar Energy 

March 14, 2023

In 2022 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) released the Solar Power in Your Community guidebook, which will assist regional and local government officials and stakeholders in boosting solar deployment and overcoming common barriers in today’s market. This marks the third edition of

FCC Releases New National Broadband Map – Understanding the Data Challenge Process 

December 2, 2022

On November 18, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the first draft of its new National Broadband Map, a comprehensive, location-by-location view of high-speed Internet availability across the nation. The map is a more detailed and precise reflection of the availability of fixed and mobile broadband services across the country.  The new map can be

It’s NARC Membership Week – Thanks for Being a NARC Member!

October 31, 2022

The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) annual Membership Week will begin November 14 through November 18.   This week will be all about you, our members, because without your support and leadership, NARC would not be able to do the work we do: bringing regional councils across the country together and advocating for regional

USDOT Announce New Guidance and $6.4 Billion to Help States Reduce Carbon Emissions

April 21, 2022

Date: April 21, 202 (04/21/2022)The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration today announced a new program that unlocks $6.4 billion in formula funding for states and localities over five years. The new Carbon Reduction Program (CRP), created under the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help states develop carbon reduction strategies and address the climate crisis

Your Help Needed to Increase Funding for HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program

April 18, 2022

Date: April 11, 202 Please urge your members of Congress to support HOME in FY 2023 appropriations. Please urge your local, state, and regional partners to support the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program and urge Congress to direct renewed investment of $2.5 billion for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 through the National Sign

NARC and AMPO Submit Public Comments to FHWA on IIJA Implementation

April 18, 2022

Date: April 8, 2022 In a letter to the Federal Highway Administration, the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) and the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) write to jointly request consideration of the following comments in response to the Request for Information (RFI) (Docket No. FHWA-2021-0021) that was published in the Federal Register on December 1,

Your Help Needed to Increase Funding for the Older Americans Act

April 12, 2022

Date: April 12, 2022 Please call your Representatives and urge them to sign the Bipartisan OAA Funding Letter sponsored by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) calling for increases in OAA funding for this year. Rep. Bonomici, along with Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Ted Deutch (D-FL) and John Katko (R-NY), is sponsoring a “Dear Colleague” letter calling for a doubling

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NARC Celebrating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) One Year Anniversary

March 11, 2022

This week marks the one-year anniversary of the historic investment in the nation from passage of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Throughout the week the White House has been celebrating the one-year anniversary by highlighting achievements made possible by the passage of the bill relevant information, fact sheets, and toolkits for communities.

Treasury Issues Final Rule: State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program to Support…

January 6, 2022

Date: January 6, 2022 The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the Final Rule for the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program, enacted as a part of the American Rescue Plan (ARPA), which delivers $350 billion to state, local, and Tribal governments to support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The SLFRF

NARC Legislative Update And Analysis: U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Package

November 25, 2021

On November 19, the U.S. House passed its version of President Biden’s  Build Back Better Act (BBBA), a $1.75 trillion (H.R. 5376) reconciliation package  that includes paid family leave, universal preschool, tax incentives, climate initiatives, and a Medicare drug price negotiation program.  The legislation passed on a 220-213 party-line vot, utilizing the reconciliation process that give the House majority nearly complete control over all elements of the bill and substantially limits the minorities ability to amend