POLITICO Live made its CONEXPO-CON/AGG debut on Friday, March 6, convening government and industry leaders to discuss the future of infrastructure policy. Live from Las Vegas on the Ground Breakers Stage, “What’s Next for U.S. Infrastructure,” sponsored by CONEXPO-CON/AGG and AEM, fostered engaging discussions on the lasting impact of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the need for continued infrastructure investment at the state and federal levels.
The event kicked off with an “Executive Insights” conversation between Brian Bieller, president of BOMAG Americas, Inc., and Katie Wojcik, Executive director of content and experiences at POLITICO. Bieller highlighted how funding reliability is the single biggest issue facing surface transportation policy.
“Reliable federal funding allows states to develop long-term transportation strategies instead of short-term workarounds,” said Bieller. “It also gives private investors, contractors, and manufacturers the confidence to make capital investments. When funding is predictable, projects move faster, costs are better controlled, and taxpayers get more value out of their investment.”
The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring Kristopher Sanchez, Director of the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, Tracy Larkin Thomason, Director of the Nevada Department of Transportation, and Brigham McCown, Founder of the Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure and CEO of Nouveau Consulting. Moderated by POLITICO Live Editorial Director Steven Overly, the panel focused on how the policy decisions being made today will shape infrastructure — and the construction industry — tomorrow.
"We need to be thinking regionally," said Director Sanchez. "Getting the funding is one thing, but our ability to deploy that funding while it's relevant, that's solving the problems that we have today, is very important."
The panel also touched on the workforce needs behind new infrastructure projects and the importance of more programs to promote skilled trades.
"One of the things that I think we've done a disservice to ourselves over the year is convincing everyone in America that they need a four-year degree," said McCown. "It's not a stigma not to go to college…. We have so much stuff that requires real-world experience and skills."
Director Thomason concluded the event emphasizing the importance of funding certainty. "Even if the funding levels are not where we would like them to be, that certainty of funding [allows us to] plan ahead and not go through major fluctuations."
Those who missed the event can view the full recording here.
