Georgia is in dire need of jobs and money. Georgia Utility Contractor members are in dire need of work and money. With private investors leery of lending for risky projects, government contracts seem to be the only place to turn for work. With no other options, vying for local, state or federally funded projects is becoming increasingly competitive. Is there no solution to this growing problem? GUCA says there is; H.R. 1802.
What is H.R. 1802 you ask? It represents the bill entitled the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act. The Act, if approved, will provide much needed funds for updating and repairing water infrastructure, including wastewater systems, through out the nation through private capital investment. Currently there is a cap on how much a private investor can put into a public works job. This bill will remove the cap and allow municipalities to contract with private investors to fund these types of projects. If this bill were passed, it could generate an estimated $5 billion in private capital nation-wide.
As of today, the bill has 50 co-sponsors and will hopefully reach the House floor after November 23.
How do we make this happen you ask? Be proactive! Write your representatives! GUCA along with other GUCA associate members have already been sending letters to our senators and house representatives to encourage them to sponsor this bill when it comes to a vote. While every effort helps, GUCA can only do so much. We need you, the constituents, to write your congressmen to tell them how important this is to you and toGeorgia. Creating more privately funded projects could help alleviate the work-woes that many of us are facing. It could also create thousands of jobs inGeorgia.
If you aren’t sure what to write or who to send a letter to, give us a call. We know what to say and where your letter needs to go. Remember, this letter may take 30 minutes of your time, but it could mean the difference in being in business or not over the next few years.
Posted by gucablog 
