Washington, D.C. – The National Governor’s Association endorsed the creation of a National Infrastructure Bank (click here to view the policy), joining the broad coalition supporting Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro’s (CT-3) National Infrastructure Development Bank Act. DeLauro spoke about the legislation at the Association’s 101st Annual Meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi.

“I am delighted that the National Governor’s Association has endorsed the National Infrastructure Bank,” DeLauro stated.

“If ever there was a time to start thinking big, it would be now,” DeLauro told the Governors. “We can continue to be a nation that mainly consumes or we can try to move back to being a nation that invests and produces.” The bank, DeLauro said, would “directly support and accelerate the kind of projects that will make a significant and long term impact and provide financing for those of regional or national significance, such as high-speed rail, clean water, wastewater systems, a smart electric grid, and broadband deployment to rural and disadvantaged communities.”

The National Infrastructure Development Bank Act would create a bank to rebuild America that would direct public and private dollars toward infrastructure projects of national or regional significance. Modeled after the European Investment Bank, it would leverage private sector dollars to invest in transportation, environmental, energy and telecommunications infrastructure projects. It would objectively consider the economic, environmental, social benefits and costs of infrastructure projects, as well as other specific criteria, and fund projects of significance.

During her remarks to the Governors, DeLauro also highlighted the critical role of infrastructure in the nation’s history, “From the Erie Canal and the Transcontinental Railroad to the Federal Highway Act and the Internet, America’s economic vitality has always rested on the foundation of our infrastructure. The chapters of our American success story have always been written in stone and mortar, iron and steel, granite and fiber-optic cable. It is time now for us to come together, and to write in bold strokes the next chapter in infrastructure investment for our nation.”

Other members of the coalition include Felix Rohatyn, Bernard L. Schwartz, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, SEIU, National Construction Alliance, Building and Construction Trades Department - AFL-CIO, American Society of Civil Engineers, Campaign for America’s Future, and Policy Link.