PORTSMOUTH, OH Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) hosted a virtual roundtable with government and business leaders from the City of Portsmouth and Scioto County to answer questions and discuss potential projects in the community from the  bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Brown helped to write and pass, and other community concerns.
 
The bipartisan infrastructure law will allow Ohio communities to upgrade outdated bridges, roads, transit, and water and sewer systems and to build new broadband networks.
 
“Much of my focus over the coming months will be ensuring Ohio communities get their fair share of these federal investments. Ohioans know best what their communities need,” said Brown. “This is a jobs bill. It will create jobs doing the construction projects, it will connect people with jobs, and it’ll create jobs throughout the supply chain because we worked to make sure this bill has the strongest Buy America requirements ever in an infrastructure bill.”
 
Brown has already hosted a briefing with the U.S. Department of Transportation for Ohio local government officials on the funding opportunities available to Ohio communities as a result of the bipartisan infrastructure law, to ensure Ohioans get their fair share of investment. The infrastructure plan includes key provisions like Brown’s Bridge Investment Act, which will provide $12.5 billion in funding to repair and replace the 3,200 bridges across Ohio in need of repairs and updates, including the Brent Spence Bridge. The package will also mean Ohio receives $9.8 billion of formula funding to repair, replace, and upgrade roads and bridges throughout the state. The infrastructure investment will also mean nearly $1.3 billion for Ohio public transit agencies. It also includes Brown’s Build America Buy America Act, which will ensure American labor, iron, and steel are used for these publicly funded bridge, broadband, waterway, and public transit projects.
 
“We appreciate the chance to share information about the progress in Portsmouth with Senator Sherrod Brown. Public and private partnerships have helped to create a Main Street courtyard on 2nd Street, a dog park, and a skate park. We are planning how to better develop the riverfront for our citizens and are participating in the Ohio River Recreation Trail project,” said Portsmouth Mayor Sean Dunne.
 
“I appreciate that Senator Brown is listening to the issues that impact our community.  Shawnee State is an integral part of Portsmouth and its future.  The Senator has always supported growth in southern Ohio and the role that education plays in that growth,” said Shawnee State University President Jeffrey Bauer.
 

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