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Most people don't find infrastructure to be a very exciting subject. However, were it not for infrastructure, you probably would have trouble living in the home you currently occupy. Infrastructure includes all of the basic public services and facilities that a community needs to function. Some of these services directly serve each individual property, such as water, sewer, roads, storm water management, gas, electric, telephone and other facilities. Other types of infrastructure benefit the general public within a community, such as schools, parks, landfills, water plants, wastewater treatment plants, libraries, fire and police service, hospitals, arterial and interstate roads, mass transit, courts and other similar facilities. The United States has developed serious infrastructure problems, and these problems have significantly worsened in recent years. Deteriorating roads and bridges create safety problems and impede the movement of traffic and commerce. Water supply delivery systems are proving to be inadequate and/or inefficient to meet the growing needs for residential, agricultural, and commercial uses. Money needs to be found to meet transportation needs while addressing environmental concerns over automobile usage. Investment in infrastructure in the U.S. peaked in the mid- to late 1970s. Since the early 1980s, federal funding of infrastructure has been declining. State and local governments have been left to seek new sources to build and maintain infrastructure. Experts say that hundreds of billions of dollars must be spent to solve America's infrastructure problems. Infrastructure construction has traditionally been funded out of local tax revenues. However, in recent years, local governments have increasingly shifted the burden of financing these facilities onto new homes in the form of fees that are paid during the development process. As a result, new homes have become less affordable, and potential first-time buyers are having increasing difficulties entering the market. Before we can solve our infrastructure problems, we must first acknowledge that the problem exists and dedicate ourselves to finding creative and constructive solutions. Various economic studies have shown a direct link between infrastructure spending and economic growth and productivity. By improving our infrastructure, everyone in the community can benefit. |
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