Pending legislation to support the Biden administration’s proposed U.S. infrastructure plan of approximately $2.3 trillion has lasting implications for much-needed improvements to the nation’s highways, communications networks and utilities. The plan includes about $930 billion earmarked for what can be classified as “hard infrastructure” — for which pundits believe there is bipartisan agreement in Congress, particularly as these types of improvements will support job creation and vital infrastructure repairs across the country.
Hard infrastructure investments are likely to focus on capital projects such as the construction of electric vehicle charging stations, improvements to power grids, additions to city public transit systems and expansion of roads — and are less likely to be directed toward maintenance and operations of existing infrastructure in need of repair. Current analysts’ projections state that nearly 90% of spending on hard infrastructure will take place over the next five years (2022-26), representing a sharp increase in both spending and demand.
What will the impact of this massive infusion of federal spending be across industrial sectors? And how can suppliers prepare for a surge in demand for an increased workforce and raw materials to support capital improvements?
The pending legislation represents outsize opportunity for players in the construction, energy and environment sectors, but it also bears the potential for increased competition as industry players position themselves ahead of demand. In this report, we identify:
- “Hard” vs. “soft” infrastructure spending
- Allocations across different categories of spending, and the impact of spending on the construction, energy and environment sectors over the next five years
- Existing challenges to the workforce and supply chain and the added impact of this bill
- Ways in which competitors across industrial sectors can prepare to meet the challenges of this potential federal funding source
If you’d like to discuss in greater depth any of the points detailed here or in the slides, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
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