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On July 29, 2025, the Local Infrastructure Hub hosted a session to discuss strategies for managing shifting infrastructure policy. With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, calls to take back unspent funds, and the President’s budget proposal all in play, local governments are navigating major changes in how federal dollars are delivered. This session focused on how cities can adjust their strategies, prepare for possible budget cuts, and align their projects with changing federal priorities. We were joined by Mayor Andy Schor of Lansing, Michigan; William Tucker, Director of the Housing Innovation Lab, Atlanta, Georgia; Jim Shannon, Budget Director, San Jose, California; and Matt Hanson, Managing Director of Grants and Policy, Witt O’Brien’s.
Key Insights Shared
Be coordinated and strategic in grant management.
Local governments are adapting to the shifting federal grant landscape, with recissions, pauses, and increased compliance burdens. Matt Hanson from Witt O’Brien’s urged cities to create an action plan to centralize grant oversight. This includes grant inventory, lost funding analysis, exposure assessment, impact modeling, and governance structuring to be able to adapt quickly, mitigate losses, and continue delivering critical services amid ongoing federal transitions.
Communicate with federal representatives and prepare contingency plans.
Mayor Schor of Lansing, Michigan highlighted the deep uncertainty surrounding both one-off federal grants, and the dependable programs like the Community Development Block Grant and Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships program. He advised cities to proactively communicate with federal representatives and prepare contingency plans for service continuity, especially for core programs that have become essential to local budgets.
Build internal alignment.
William Tucker described how Atlanta had a bit of a headstart as they restructured the city’s planning functions to centralize policy and coordination across agencies, aiming to reduce reliance on unpredictable federal funding. This allowed them to diversify financing strategies through bonds, local trust funds, and public-private partnerships. He highlighted that cross-agency alignment allowed Atlanta to increase resiliency and focus investments to create long-term impact.
Clearly communicate budget risks.
Jim Shannon from San Jose emphasized the importance of clearly communicating budget risks. Through the Manager’s Budget Addenda, the city provides amendments to the proposed budget, and responds to city council inquiries regarding the proposed budget. This creates accessible, transparent budget materials to inform advocates and decision-makers about funding uncertainties and tradeoffs.
Resources Shared During the Webinar and in Discussion:
Free Technical Assistance Opportunities
Municipalities can access expert support to apply for and implement grants, including through no-cost Bootcamps and Workshops. Bootcamps are multi-week, cohort based programs that guide cities through the full application development process. Workshops are intensive, half-day sessions focused on targeted, grant-specific training. Register today to participate in the following trainings:
- Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Fund Workshop
- Rail Elimination Crossings and Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Workshop
- Brownfields Workshop
- Direct Pay Workshop
- Safe Streets and Roads for All Workshop
- Grant Implementation Bootcamp