Unincorporated areas may be eligible for federal funding for water infrastructure under INVEST in America Act

As previously reported by Community Impact Newspaper, the unincorporated community of Tamina has fought to receive basic water infrastructure for over 20 years. Without the amendment, Tamina would not have been able to receive any funding as part of this new program.

Rita Wiltz, founder of Tamina-based nonprofit Children’s Books on Wheels, which delivers free books to underserved children in the Montgomery County area, said she has seen Tamina struggle with poor infrastructure for years.

“I would like to see the Tamina community receive funds for flooding, ditches [and] sidewalks, that’s for sure,” Wiltz said. “Access to services the taxpayers have been paying for years. ... Our infrastructure has been at the top of the list.”

The INVEST in America Act passed in the House on July 1 and will go to the Senate next for consideration, according to information from Congress.

If passed by the Senate, the INVEST in America Act would dedicate $343 billion to roads, bridges and safety; $109 billion to transit; and $95 billion to passenger and freight rail. It would also commit $117 billion to drinking water infrastructure and over $51 billion to wastewater infrastructure, according to the legislation.