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Listen to NARC Executive Director Erich Zimmermann on RuralStrong Podcast

NARC ED Erich Zimmermann Discusses Regional Issues, Future Challenges with SWTDD's Joe Barker

Southwest Tennessee Development District (SWTDD) recently featured National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) executive director Erich Zimmermann on its RuralStrong podcast for a discussion on strengthening regional collaboration across the country. Hosted by SWTDD executive director Joe Barker, the conversation highlighted NARC’s role in amplifying the voices of regional councils in Washington, DC, especially in recent transportation legislation. The episode highlighted the importance of facilitating conversations between regional councils in order to exchange ideas and solutions to shared challenges. Topics included some of the most significant concerns facing regional organizations today, including growing polarization, difficult conversations about data center development, the need for housing in economic development, and how collaborative, regional approaches are an essential part of the conversation. Listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

A Regional Look at Federal Housing Legislation in Congress

The Senate’s Road to Housing Act and House of Representatives’ Housing for the 21st Century Act Aim to Increase Housing Supply

Communities across the country continue to face significant challenges in providing safe, attainable, and stable housing options for residents. Rapidly rising home prices, increasing rental costs, limited supply, and sustained demand have placed significant pressure on housing markets in both urban and rural areas. A recent Pew Research study found that 69 percent of Americans are very concerned about the cost of housing, which illustrates the national scale of this issue. 

In response to these pressures, both chambers of Congress are taking legislative action. The Senate is poised to advance the ROAD to Housing Act as a standalone bill this spring, and the House of Representatives recently passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act in its chamber. Should the Senate pass its bill, the two chambers will need to  resolve their differences between the two bills before legislation can be enacted into law. The continued momentum in Congress signals the federal importance and renewed attention to nationwide housing availability and affordability challenges. 

Overview of the Housing Bills

The ROAD to Housing Act and the Housing for the 21st Century Act both contain provisions intended to improve housing affordability by lowering regulatory barriers and supporting local housing efforts. The bills also include provisions that ease NEPA requirements for certain small‑scale projects to streamline development timelines and bring more housing online more quickly. Furthermore, each bill modifies federal housing programs such as CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, although the amendments differ by bill. While the two proposals are distinct in approach and emphasis, both aim to support communities in building, preserving, and financing needed housing. 

Greater Emphasis on Coordinated Regional Housing Planning

The Housing for the 21st Century Act contains a new Pilot for Housing Planning Grants in Section 203 which is not included in the ROAD to Housing Act. This pilot program would allow regional planning organizations to assist with or lead housing needs assessments, update regional and local housing plans, modernize regulatory processes, revise zoning codes, and coordinate strategies that expand access to public transportation. These activities are intended to help communities strengthen planning capacity, reduce barriers, and expand housing supply. 

The ROAD to Housing Act includes a provision in section 211 that encourages federal transit projects to adopt pro‑housing policies, incorporating a previously stand-alone bill, the Build More Housing Near Transit Act. This provision reflects a continued federal interest in aligning housing production with transportation investments. For regional organizations, these developments reinforce the long‑standing need to integrate land use, transportation, and housing decisions. 

Increased Demand for Technical Assistance to Local Governments

Key program reforms in the ROAD to Housing Act and the Housing for the 21st Century Act modify the Community Development Block Grant Program, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and USDA’s Rural Housing Services by expanding program eligibility, adding new reporting requirements, and incentivizing homebuilding and affordability. Many of these changes could place additional responsibilities on regional councils, including coordinating services across jurisdictions, supporting data collection and reporting, and helping communities address increased transportation demands in areas where housing growth accelerates as a result of these policy changes.  

Community Development Block Grant

Both the House and Senate housing bills make significant changes to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to incentivize increasing the housing supply at the local level.  

Section 206 of the ROAD to Housing Act ties CDBG funding directly to increasing housing supply, rewarding communities that build housing above the median growth rate with bonuses and penalizing those that fall below it by causing CDBG grantees to lose funding This shift pushes local governments to move housing projects through planning, zoning, and permitting processes more quickly while also strengthening their ability to track and report housing data. The provisions in ROAD regarding CDBG would place significant pressure on local governments to increase housing production, which could in turn increase demands on regional councils. Regional councils may be called on to coordinate a regional housing strategy and support local jurisdictions in meeting funding eligibility if housing supply benchmarks are not achieved.  

In the Housing for the 21st Century Act, Section 202, allows CDBG funding to be used for the construction of new affordable housing and requires recipients of CDBG funding to report on local land use policies. This, too, places additional reporting requirements on CDBG grantees; however, it does not penalize them as the ROAD to Housing Act does. Additionally, because both bills incentivize increased housing development, the resulting growth will place added pressure on regional transportation systems. This would require a coordinated regional response to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with housing demand. 

HOME Investment and Partnerships Program

In addition to CDBG changes, both bills make substantial—but differing—updates to the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. Section 201 of the 21st Century Act reforms the HOME program by expanding eligibility for low‑income families and allowing more flexible uses of funds for infrastructure improvements such as repairs to water and sewer lines, sidewalks, and roads. In contrast, section 502 of the ROAD Act increases fiscal resources for program administration and allows small‑scale housing to qualify as affordable housing. 

Reauthorizing the HOME program and expanding eligibility to HOME funds for infrastructure improvement projects are especially important for regional councils. Many of the communities they represent rely on these tools to address infrastructure gaps, coordinate multijurisdictional housing strategies and support rural jurisdictions that often lack the capacity to advance affordable housing development on their own. Regional councils are also frequently looked to when new housing projects arise, as they help communities identify and secure the infrastructure funding needed to support and expand development. 

USDA Rural Housing Services

Beyond HUD programs, both bills also address rural housing needs through changes to USDA’s Rural Housing Service, which plays a critical role in supporting rural communities. The ROAD to Housing Act enhances support services and permanently establishes the Housing Preservation and Revitalization Program for multifamily housing. In many rural areas, affordable rental housing is made possible by USDA rural housing mortgages that are expiring, which would cause rental rates to skyrocket; changes in the Senate bill would decouple affordable housing assistance from the underlying mortgages, preserving affordable rental housing in many communities.  

The Housing for the 21st Century Act expands access to USDA home repair loans and requires an annual report reviewing program applications; this is also included in ROAD. Changes of this type often require additional coordination, reporting, or technical knowledge. As a result, local governments may rely more heavily on regional councils, MPOs, and RPOs for assistance with grant navigation and implementation. 

Looking Ahead

The progress of these two housing bills demonstrates the need to address the national housing shortage on a broad basis, using every federal tool Congress can muster, though a final compromise will determine which provisions ultimately become law. It also remains to be seen if a bill can pass in 2026, given the looming mid-term elections. A final, compromised bill would need to be passed in the spring—any later and chances for passage drop sharply, as legislators are less willing to support bills as they get closer to November elections.  

Regardless of the final outcome, regional organizations already perform much of this work through long-range planning, data analysis, and collaborative problem-solving—and will continue to support communities in developing effective housing strategies. Through initiatives such as the National Association of Regional Councils housing working group, regional entities across the country are sharing best practices and assisting communities in addressing housing pressures. Federal momentum on housing policy continues to build, and regional councils will continue to support their communities as this landscape evolves. 

A Year in Review – NARC in 2025

As the National Association of Regional Councils enters 2026, we are excitedly preparing for our 60th Annual Conference in Tulsa in June. I am proud to reflect on another year of growth and impact in 2025. From conferences and fly-ins to advocacy and grants, NARC has reinvigorated the voice of regional councils in the nation’s capital. Our work continues to highlight the contributions our member organizations make in regions across America. 

Membership Growth and Engagement

We were thrilled to welcome six new members to NARC in 2025: 

  • Arrowhead Regional Development District—Duluth, MI 
  • Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission—Wiscasset, ME  
  • West Central Texas Council of Governments—Abilene, TX 
  • West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission—Eau Claire, WI 
  • Northwest Hills Council of Governments—Litchfield, CT 
  • Madison County Council of Governments—Anderson, IN 

Their participation enriches our network and underscores the continuing relevance of regional collaboration in addressing complex issues across jurisdictional boundaries. 

We also experienced increased engagement on our online member platform, Civic Roundtable, with 483 new members, 218 posts created, 308 comments added, and 188 resources uploaded. 

Reorienting Our Policy Committees

This year, we began our work to strengthen NARC’s four policy committees which cover a wide array of federal policy issues that affect regional councils, including Energy & Environment, Economic & Community Development, Public Safety & Emergency Management, and Transportation. Led by our new Director of Policy, Leeann Sinpatanasakul, all four committees participated in listening sessions to provide input on federal policy issues affection regional councils and are now shaping policy priority documents shaped by member input. These efforts will guide our advocacy in 2026 and beyond, to ensure the voices of NARC members are heard by lawmakers and administration officials in Washington, DC as they craft federal policy. 

Legislative Advocacy: Driving Transportation Policy Forward

NARC has worked tirelessly to ensure regions have a seat at the table during surface transportation reauthorization. Through briefings, coalitions, and direct engagement with policymakers, we advocated for provisions that empower regional councils and support local transportation priorities. 

Our work with the Local Officials in Transportation (LOT) Coalition—including the National League of Cities (NLC), National Association of Counties (NACo), Association of Metropolitan Planning Organization (AMPO), U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), and National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)—was instrumental to our success. We organized a joint fly-in with our members and AMPO to meet with key congressional offices and committees. Together as a coalition, we also met with Deputy Secretary Bradbury and FHWA Administrator McMaster to share our priorities and communicate the transportation priorities of our local communities and regions. We’ve engaged with the House and Senate committees of jurisdiction and continue to work with them as they move forward with the legislative process. 

With reauthorization on the horizon, these efforts ensure that regional councils remain central partners in shaping transportation investments that address the unique needs of communities nationwide. 

National Conferences

In 2025, we hosted three national conferences that brought together local elected officials, policymakers, and regional leaders from across the country. 

  • In February, the National Conference of Regions prepared us for the priorities of the new presidential administration. 
  • In June, the 59th Annual Conference & Exhibition, co-hosted with the Puget Sound Regional Council, saw a marked increase in attendance and featured engaging sessions and mobile workshops, including visits to Pike Place Market and Boeing’s Everett Factory. 
  • In October, the Executive Directors Conference & Board Retreat, co-hosted with the Greater Portland Council of Governments, offered an intimate learning environment that gave directors practical takeaways to strengthen leadership in their organizations. 

Grant Programs

NARC leveraged federal grant funding to expand member resources and foster regional innovation. Key initiatives in 2025 included: 

  • SolSmart Program: Partnered with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and the International City/County Management Association to help regions adopt solar-friendly policies and accelerate clean energy deployment. 
  • Collaborative-Based Siting of Spent Nuclear Fuel: Worked with the Keystone Policy Center to engage regions in planning around the siting of spent nuclear fuel. In partnership with Keystone Policy Center, NARC awarded three COGs a total of $225,000 in grants to build internal capacity through website restructuring, the development of an AI chatbot, and improvements to their CEDS plan.
  • Economic Development District Community of Practice (EDD CoP): Collaborated with NADO to produce videos and webinars highlighting best practices in economic development planning. 

These programs, along with targeted workshops and technical assistance, have supported members in tackling challenges related to renewable energy and economic growth. Our programs helped regions streamline zoning for solar and EV adoption, expanded internal capacity through targeted grants, and educated regions on economic development district designation. 

Speaking Engagements and External Leadership

NARC staff shared their vision and expertise at national conferences, federal briefings, and regional events, demonstrating the critical role regional councils play in planning, economic development, and transportation. Highlights included panels and presentations at: 

  • State association meetings across Ohio, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Texas, and Illinois 
  • International Forum of Agglomerations in Ukraine 
  • Alaska Municipal League Annual Conference – Regional Cooperation and Solutions 
  • ThinkTennessee Policy Forum – Transportation Panel 
  • Arizona Transportation Policy Summit – Federal Reauthorization Panel 
  • National League of Cities – Rebuilding Together Panel 
  • Mid-Shore Regional Council Board Meeting – Maryland Association of Counties Winter Conference 
  • Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations Annual Conference 
  • NADO and NACo conferences 

Looking Ahead

In 2026, NARC will build on these successes. Our focus remains on empowering regional councils with the tools, networks, and policy influence they need to respond to their community’s evolving needs. By elevating the value of regional collaboration, we ensure that every region, large or small, can benefit from coordinated, forward-thinking solutions. 

Thank you to our members, partners, and staff for making 2025 a remarkable year. Together, we are stronger, more connected, and ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead. 

—Erich Zimmermann, Executive Director, NARC 

Additional Resources

Lessons from the Field: Economic Development District Designation 

So You Want To Be an EDD?

An Economic Development District (EDD) designation can be a great way to access federal funding opportunities and align your region’s economic development efforts. However, becoming an EDD presents unique challenges that require time, strong relationships, and the right organizational structure to overcome. NARC staff interviewed economic development planners across the country to understand the pros and cons of becoming an Economic Development District. 

In the process, staff spoke with Lauren Primiano of the State of Hawaii Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, who helped establish the nation’s first statewide EDD; Padmini Roy-Dixon of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), who serves as her organization’s EDD Director and joined MORPC shortly after it received designation; Elizabeth Baxter of the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC), who leads the region’s CEDS implementation; and Gunnar Olson of the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (DMAMPO), who helped establish a standalone organization with EDD designation in his region. Their expertise and insights in the field of economic development planning shed light on what to consider when seeking EDD designation—and whether to pursue designation. 

What Is an EDD and Why Pursue It?

An Economic Development District is a regional designation granted by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to organizations that lead economic development planning across multiple jurisdictions. Additionally, obtaining EDD status makes the designated organization eligible for the EDA’s Partnership Planning grant to support the EDD’s operations. 

Along with this grant, organizations seek EDD designation to strengthen their relationship with EDA, unlock federal funding for non-distressed counties within the EDD region, and provide enhanced structure and collaboration for their region’s economic development efforts to attract investment and drive long-term growth. 

We realized that a lot of the challenges that people and businesses were facing could’ve been mitigated with better coordination across the counties.

— Lauren Primiano, State of Hawaii Office of Planning and Sustainable Development

Core Requirements for Designation

To qualify as an EDD, regional councils must represent more than one county, contain at least one sub-region that meets certain economic distress standards, and have an EDA-approved Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Additionally, a majority of counties within the proposed EDD boundaries must support the designation. You can search this map to see if your region meets EDA’s economic distress criteria and follow this link for more information about the process and steps to gain designation. 

Four Lessons Learned

1) Start with Relationships

Throughout our discussions, the most common piece of advice NARC staff heard was to focus on relationships. Having strong working relationships with your EDA representative, Congressional delegation, and Board of Directors will help your organization achieve EDD designation.  When applying for designation, your organization’s credibility as a convener can be the difference between swift approval and denied requests. A strong working relationship with the relevant local partners is critical to have before even applying for EDD designation. 

In addition, it’s equally if not more important to cultivate a relationship with your region’s EDA representative, who will not only guide you through the designation process but also keep you informed about unique funding opportunities for your region. Your EDA representative can introduce you to a network of EDA partners, keep your organization abreast of upcoming grants, and assist in getting your CEDS approved every five years. 

Having a strong relationship with EDA goes a long way.

— Padmini Roy-Dixon, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)

2) Tailor Your Message

While some regional stakeholders may be excited about EDD designation, others may be more hesitant. When making the case for your organization to be designated as an EDD, it’s important to address the specific priorities of each audience your organization needs approval from. Your governing board may be concerned about staff capacity, while counties in your region may focus on the equitable distribution of EDA funds. Tailoring your argument to each audience is key. Many regional councils also highlight the overall return on investment an EDD can deliver for all stakeholders. Analysis of EDA data shows that regions served by an EDD receive more than three times the per-capita investment compared to areas without an EDD. 

You’ve got to tailor your message to your audience... for us it was all about opening up the opportunity for federal dollars.

— Gunnar Olson, Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (DMAMPO)

3) Funding Realities

It’s important to assess your organization’s budget and staff capacity before pursuing EDD designation. EDA reporting requirements can be time-consuming, and the Partnership Planning grant provides about $70,000 annually in planning assistance. For many regions, that level of funding is insufficient to hire full-time staff or justify dedicating significant portions of existing staff time. To bridge the gap, some organizations raise member dues or develop revenue-generating programs, while others absorb the shortfall with the expectation that the long-term economic benefits will ultimately justify the investment. Whatever path you choose, EDD Partnership Planning funding is just one piece of the overall funding puzzle. 

Reporting is onerous… [and] most EDDs I have spoken with are trying to come up with programming that provides revenues.

— Padmini Roy-Dixon, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)

4) Alternative Paths & Strategic Decisions

Depending on the politics and priorities of stakeholders in your region, it may be more practical to prioritize CEDS planning over pursuing EDD designation. Some organizations encounter challenges when their regional council boundaries don’t align with the boundaries used for their CEDS. Others struggle to secure consistent support from all relevant municipalities. While having an EDD can increase funding from the EDA, the CEDS process still brings partners together and drives economic development planning in the region. As a result, some regional councils choose to focus solely on developing and maintaining their CEDS, while others have opted to spin off their EDD into a standalone entity to better navigate these complexities.

Our priority is the CEDS, not the designation.

— Elizabeth Baxter, Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC)

Final Thoughts

EDD designation can be an effective way for regions to strengthen economic development planning and secure a long-term partnership with the EDA. When pursuing EDD designation, it’s important for regional councils to start with relationships, particularly with their regional EDA representative. Next, regional councils should take into consideration the unique priorities of the approval-granting agencies and make arguments to address their concerns. Finally, it’s worth recognizing that EDD designation doesn’t guarantee transformational funding will flow to your region. However, if your regional partners and priorities are aligned, and with the help of the EDA, EDD designation can greatly improve your regions’ chances of securing economic investment for years to come. 

Additional Resources

How Regional Councils Are Advancing Zoning Reform

Welcome Back!

Hello everyone and welcome back to the Regions Lead Blog – the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) blog for all things regional planning and policy. We took a hiatus, but we are back and better than ever! You can expect monthly entries from this blog with policy updates, legislative analysis, and summaries from our conferences and webinars. 

Zoning for Stronger Regions

We recently hosted a webinar for the Economic Development District Community of Practice (EDD CoP) with the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). The webinar, Zoning for Stronger Regions, featured Sara Bronin, one of the nation’s leading experts in land use and zoning law. Sara discussed how regional councils can influence zoning policy to address housing shortages and encourage economic development in their regions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaR4BpU3NK8

 Sara began by reviewing case studies from her recent book and providing a live demonstration of the National Zoning Atlas, a digital map that democratizes zoning policies across the country. In Sara’s view, zoning is a context-dependent policy. Codes that work in one municipality may not work in another. This is why local governments have traditionally been responsible for enacting zoning ordinances. But if zoning is largely the responsibility of local governments, how can regional councils get involved?

The Role of Regional Councils in Zoning Reform

Regional councils, even without direct zoning authority, can play a role in guiding and supporting local governments. Bronin cited the Cape Cod Commission (CCC) as an example of a regional council leveraging research, technical guidance, and their convening power to contribute to local zoning policy that increased housing supply throughout the region. Specifically, CCC drafted a study and wrote model bylaws to support local zoning codes that support region-wide housing goals. CCC also collaborated with Bronin’s organization, the National Zoning Atlas, to map zoning ordinances throughout their 15-town region. Through its role as a data collector and convener, the Cape Cod Commission laid the groundwork for municipalities across the region to address their housing shortage together. 

In addition to localities, state governments can enact zoning measures to meet housing and economic development goals. States across the country have enacted measures like banning parking minimums and requiring “missing middle” housing. Regional councils can provide data and convene partners to support these reforms. While regional councils may not dictate zoning directly, they can support local and state zoning reforms in a variety of ways. View the full webinar here.

Additional Resources

The Environmental Protection Agency Sets First-Ever Drinking Water Standard for Forever Chemicals  

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) National Primary Drinking Water Regulation, setting limits for five so-called ‘forever chemicals’ found in drinking water.  These manufactured chemicals are used and found in various products including nonstick cookware, waterproof products, food packaging, and stain-resistant clothing and carpets. The substances are nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they barely degrade and are nearly impossible to destroy, so they can linger permanently in air, water, and soil. They build up in humans and animals and have been linked to increased risk for some cancers, immune system deficiencies, decreased fertility, and other health complications. It can be assumed that most people across the United States have had some level of exposure to PFAS due to their widespread production and inability to break down in the environment, though exact numbers of exposure are unknown.  

Final Rule Sets First Ever Limits on PFAS

 While there is no scientifically “safe” level of the most toxic PFAS – perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) – the new rule sets legal limits at four parts per trillion for both compounds. The rule sets limits at 10 parts per trillion for PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (GenX Chemicals). The rule also sets a limit for mixtures of any two or more of four PFAS: PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX. Public water utilities will have three years to complete samplings for the regulated substances. If PFAS levels are found to exceed these new standards, utilities will be required to notify the public and implement solutions to reduce PFAS in their drinking water within 5 years.  

According to EPA, the new standard will reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, preventing thousands of deaths and reducing tens of thousands of serious illnesses. EPA estimates that between 6-10% of the 66,000 public drinking water systems subject to this standard will need to take action to reduce PFAS. However, the rule provides flexibility and does not specifically dictate how water systems must remove these contaminants. 

The Cost of Reducing and Eventually Eliminating PFAS

EPA has estimated it will cost water utilities approximately $1.5 billion annually to comply with the rule, though utilities maintain that the costs could be twice that amount and are worried about how to fund it. The National Association of Clean Water Agencies estimates place rule requirement costs well above $3.5 billion annually to treat and dispose of the forever chemical. States and local governments have successfully sued some manufacturers of PFAS for contaminating drinking water supplies, but the settlements awarded to municipalities have been dwarfed by the costs of cleaning up the chemicals, municipal officials have said. Industry executives say taxpayers will ultimately foot the bill in the form of increased water rates. Public health advocates have said the costs of the new rule were outweighed by the growing body of evidence of the dangers posed by PFAS. 

EPA Announces $1 Billion in Funding to Address PFAS

In addition to the final rule, EPA announced nearly $1 billion in FY24 funding through IIJA to help states and territories implement PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems and to help owners of private wells address PFAS contamination. This is part of a $9 billion investment through IIJA to help communities with drinking water impacted by PFAS and other emerging contaminants. An additional $12 billion is available through IIJA for general drinking water improvements, including addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS. Overall, IIJA provides $50 billion to EPA’s water programs. Of that amount, $5 billion is appropriated to the EC-SDC grant program to which annual appropriation is $1 billion for each fiscal year from FY2022-2026. These funds are available through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) grant program providing states and territories with grants to public water systems in small or disadvantaged communities to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS. Grants are awarded non‐competitively to states and territories. FY2024 allotments have already been announced. The financing programs delivering this funding are part of the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that have been historically marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. 

Established as a noncompetitive grant program, eligibility to apply for and receive funds is limited to the fifty states and Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. States will use this funding to make grants to eligible emerging contaminant projects and/or activities in small or disadvantaged communities. Eligible projects include efforts to address emerging contaminants in drinking water that would benefit a small or disadvantaged community on a per household basis; technical assistance to evaluate emerging contaminant problems; programs to provide household water-quality testing, including testing for unregulated contaminants; local contractor training; and activities necessary and appropriate for a state to respond to an emerging contaminant. Additional support for implementation of BIL funding can be found through EPA’s Water Technical Assistance Programs.These programs have been launched in collaboration with states, territories, Tribes, and community partners.  

NARC encourages regional councils to take full advantage of the technical assistance provided by the EPA, and to serve a leading role in the coordination and implementation of ED-SDC funding to disadvantaged communities. 

Additional Resources 

NARC will continue to monitor updates in Washington and how this final rule will impact regions and the communities you serve.  

The Future of the Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), created under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), is a benefit program through the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) that helps households afford access to broadband, which is now a necessity for work, school, healthcare, and more. Benefits within the program include a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

Data Shows the ACP Program is Critical for Enrolled Households

More than 23 million households are enrolled in the ACP. Data released by the FCC shows that before the ACP was implemented, 68% of these households had inconsistent or zero connectivity. The program is critical in providing affordable broadband to residents, especially in rural areas, who did not previously have adequate high-speed access. In rural areas, 53% of survey respondents reported having zero connectivity or relying entirely on mobile service prior to being enrolled in the ACP. This data shows that the ACP is essential for building capacity within regions, particularly in rural or hard to reach areas.  

Regional Councils Support an Extension of the ACP Program 

Regional councils, economic development districts, and councils of governments are supporters of the ACP and the programs’ ability to bridge current gaps in connectivity and accessibility. Most recently, the Land of Sky Regional Council Board of Delegates unanimously passed a resolution at its February 28 meeting to support the extension of the ACP. Land of Sky Regional Council (LOS) is a multi-county, local government, planning and development organization serving the greater Ashville region in western North Carolina. LOS has a long-standing history of helping community members in the region gain access to an affordable internet connection. LOS launched WestNGN to create more digitally connected communities across their region. These communities, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, have historically been underfunded and had poorly accessible digital connectivity. WestNGN has worked to close the significant gaps in broadband service and affordability to improve surrounding communities’ access to vital services. Federal and state programs like the ACP program have helped support broadband expansion in their region. 

The ACP Program Has an Uncertain Future in the Nation's Capital 

If additional funding from Congress is not provided, the last month for enrolled households to receive full benefits will be April. The FCC has begun taking steps to “wind down” the ACP as the funding nears close to running out. According to FCC’s ACP Wind-Down Fact Sheet, ACP applications and enrollments are no longer being processed as of February 8, 2024, however, households who have been receiving benefits prior to February 8 will continue to receive them until funds run out. The FCC is expecting significant service disruptions if the ACP ends. According to survey data, 77% of ACP households say losing their ACP benefit would disrupt their service by making them change plans or drop internet service entirely.  

The future of the ACP will be decided March 22, the deadline lawmakers set to pass the final six spending bills, including funding for the FCC. The delay in the appropriations process funding key federal programs like ACP has forced FCC to turn away Americans seeking service under the program, as demonstrated by the February 8 deadline for new applicants. Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman of the FCC, remarked on the importance of Congress allocating additional funding for the program. Rosenworcel stated, “The monthly subsidy is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.” In the Administration’s supplementary budget, a request of $6 billion is included for the ACP. In January a bipartisan bill, H.R. 6929, the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024, was introduced. The bill would provide $7 billion for the ACP. No further action has been taken on the bill, leaving the future of ACP uncertain as Congress continues to negotiate appropriations. 

Additional Resources 

NARC will continue to monitor the ACP program here in Washington.  

Regional Councils Leading Public Rollout of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration manages and administers the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI Program), a competitive grant program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The CFI Program aims to strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in the places people live and work, urban and rural areas alike, in addition to along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs). CFI Program investments will make modern and sustainable infrastructure accessible to all drivers of electric, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas vehicles. The BIL provides $2.5 billion over five years for the CFI program. 

This program provides two funding categories of grants:  

  • Corridor Charging: To deploy electric vehicle charging and hydrogen/propane/natural gas fueling infrastructure along designated alternative fuel corridors. 
  • Community Charging: To install electric vehicle charging and alternative fuel in locations on public roads, near schools and parks, and in publicly accessible parking facilities. Community Charging grants prioritize rural areas and low-and moderate-income neighborhoods with low ratios of private parking or high ratios of multiunit dwellings. 

 The first round of CFI Program funds was recently awarded, providing $623 million in grant funding to 47 applicants, with approximately half of the funding going to 36 community projects, including two Tribal projects, and the other half to 11 corridor recipients.  Five awardees are councils of governments that will provide charging infrastructure in their regions.  

For a full list of grant recipients, click here. 

Five NARC Members Among Grant Recipients

The San Joaquin Council of Governments was awarded a $15,000,000 EV charging community grant to expand electrification for all in San Joaquin County. San Joaquin County plans to install 74 Level-2 and 40 DC fast chargers at 20 locations countywide. The project significantly expands public charging infrastructure in disadvantaged communities and implements a robust community outreach and workforce development program. 

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) was awarded a $6,120,067 EV charging community grant for a Transportation System Electrification Strategy that Works for Everyone – Community Element. ARC plans to install 300-400 electric vehicle charging ports across metro Atlanta and will focus on underserved communities to support equity in the region’s EV transition. 

Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) was awarded a $4,245,267 community grant for their Regional Charging & Fueling Infrastructure Proposal (2023). MACOG plans to fill gaps in electric vehicle charging infrastructure in rural areas and disadvantaged communities in the region.  

Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) was awarded a $15,000,000 community grant for their Northeast Ohio Regional Electric Vehicle Charging Station Program: Phase 2. NOACA began Phase 1 of its Regional EV Charging Program to implement 40 stations around the region in 2023.  Phase 2 builds off of Phase 1, and includes approximately 63 more sites in Northeast Ohio, including the city of Cleveland and the surrounding counties of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina. 

North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) was awarded both a community grant and a corridor grant. NCTCOG received a $15,000,000 community grant to Implement the North Texas Equitable Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NTx–EEVI) Project. They also received a $70,000,000 hydrogen corridor grant for the Texas Hydrogen and Electric Freight Infrastructure (Tx–HEFTI) Project 

NARC congratulates all participants and winners of DOT’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program. These local communities and organizations are filling local charging needs and gaps enabling wider EV adoption across the nation.