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CDFA Infrastructure Finance Learning Series
April 19, May 31, Aug. 9, Oct. 4, & Dec. 6
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern

Register Today

-Overview

CDFA is honored to present the CDFA Infrastructure Finance Learning Series, created in partnership with Ernst & Young LLP (EY). This series is designed to help communities develop a comprehensive understanding of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), while providing guidance around planning and financing infrastructure projects. The IIJA will allocate roughly $1.2 trillion U.S. dollars to fund roads and bridges, freight and passenger rail, broadband, power and grid, water, and many other types of projects. As the funding is dispersed over the coming five-year period, it presents states, local governments, nonprofits, communities, and individuals with unprecedented opportunities for investment. The goal of the CDFA Infrastructure Finance Learning Series is to connect attendees with the opportunities and networks that will finance America’s next great infrastructure investment.

As an added feature, attendees will have the opportunity for one-on-one engagement with industry experts from EY during the final hour of each session. Attendees will be able to ask more in-depth, technical questions and receive personalized feedback.

EY is a global leader in advisory, assurance, tax, and transaction services. Their Economic Development, Credits and Incentives, Infrastructure, and Forensics teams work with governments to develop strategies, advise structures and financing tools, and assist with reporting and compliance related to Federal funding, among other services. In so doing, they play a critical role in building a better working world for their clients and communities.

The series consists of five modules that each build upon the previous installation to offer participants a progressive and consistent learning experience. Presenters will focus on the following areas:

  • Breaking Down the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
  • Building the Foundation for Infrastructure Projects
  • Preparing for Federal Grant Applications
  • Reviewing the Guidance
  • Benefiting Diverse Communities


Attendees have the option to register for one session or the full series. Significant discounts are available for those who register for the entire series, as well as for CDFA member organizations.

Learn more about joining CDFA.

Register

-Agenda

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Tue 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Breaking Down the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
This webinar serves as the basis for future installations in the series, providing knowledge and understanding of the Act with a deep dive into the IIJA. Development finance and legislative experts will review the current status of the Act and highlight new and existing federal programs that attendees can leverage for infrastructure investments. Speakers will review the types of activities supported within each IIJA funding category, identify which federal agencies are responsible for deploying funds, and discuss the forms of funding available through debt financing, grants, or other funding opportunities.

To prepare communities for upcoming funds, this session will also begin guiding attendees to think about how to secure and utilize IIJA funds in coordination with other development finance approaches such as bonds, TIF, and tax credits. Presentations will include a number of case studies that illustrate eligible uses of select programs and how the activities can positively impact a community.
Moderator(s)
  • Zeyu Zhang, Manager, Research & Technical Assistance, Council of Development Finance Agencies
Speaker(s)
Tue 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Office Hours
We will keep the conversation going with our industry experts from EY. Attendees will have an opportunity for one-on-one engagement with EY and can ask technical questions. The goal of this session is to provide a platform for communities to engage with industry experts, such as EY, and learn how they can move their infrastructure projects forward.
Speaker(s)

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Tue 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Building the Foundation for Infrastructure Projects
Planning for the coming decades of infrastructure projects is essential for economic development professionals. Funding allocations will vary by community, and it is important for each place to begin preparing now so that funds can be deployed efficiently and managed effectively. Communities should begin to address issues such as taking inventory of new and existing local infrastructure needs, aligning local leaders on infrastructure strategies and priorities, and beginning to engage with community members or potential partners.

Speakers in this session will share insights on navigating the complexities of project execution, engaging partners for local strategies, and aligning the many types of available finance tools to complete a project’s capital stack. This installment will help attendees set up their infrastructure projects to be competitive in securing funds and impactful for their community’s future.
Moderator(s)
  • Zeyu Zhang, Manager, Research & Technical Assistance, Council of Development Finance Agencies
Speaker(s)
Tue 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Office Hours
We will keep the conversation going with our industry experts from EY. Attendees will have an opportunity for one-on-one engagement with EY and can ask technical questions. The goal of this session is to provide a platform for communities to engage with industry experts, such as EY, and learn how they can move their infrastructure projects forward.
Speaker(s)

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Tue 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Preparing for Federal Grant Applications
Applying for federal grants is a competitive process that requires a significant amount of time and planning prior to submission. It is essential for applicants to know how to navigate the available funding sources and prepare the necessary information to apply well in advance. This session will provide guidance and best practices on the various components of a federal grant application. This includes project planning and timeline development, budgeting, establishing partnerships, and conducting the background research and assessments necessary to justify the investment.

Presentations will cover what goes into the market and feasibility studies needed to assess potential outcomes of a specific infrastructure project, as well as different approaches to infrastructure analysis and financial modeling. The panel will also discuss how to identify other sources of funding to align with federal dollars, building on the previous sessions that review the development finance tools available for supporting infrastructure. As the IIJA encourages regional collaboration, speakers will touch on the role of key partners in the application process throughout the discussion and share how advisory services can assist in preparing for funding.
Moderator(s)
  • Zeyu Zhang, Manager, Research & Technical Assistance, Council of Development Finance Agencies
Speaker(s)
Tue 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Office Hours
We will keep the conversation going with our industry experts from EY. Attendees will have an opportunity for one-on-one engagement with EY and can ask technical questions. The goal of this session is to provide a platform for communities to engage with industry experts, such as EY, and learn how they can move their infrastructure projects forward.
Speaker(s)

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Tue 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Reviewing the Guidance
Experts will join this session to provide a detailed review of the recently released guidance on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Presentations will cover the steps to apply and provide an overall timeline for when communities can expect to access funding. Presentations will also take a closer look at the top five funding categories to see how dollars are beginning to flow to these project areas. This session will continue the discussion around the utilization of IIJA funds in coordination with local funding through bond finance, tax credit programs, tax increment financing, and other development finance approaches to cover long-term project costs.
Moderator(s)
  • Zeyu Zhang, Manager, Research & Technical Assistance, Council of Development Finance Agencies
Speaker(s)
Tue 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Office Hours
We will keep the conversation going with our industry experts from EY. Attendees will have an opportunity for one-on-one engagement with EY and can ask technical questions. The goal of this session is to provide a platform for communities to engage with industry experts, such as EY, and learn how they can move their infrastructure projects forward.

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Tue 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
How Different Communities Can Benefit From IIJA
One of the goals of the IIJA is to foster an equitable economy by investing in historically underserved and under-resourced communities. Infrastructure challenges in these areas range from public transportation to digital access to online information. Speakers on this final installation will cover the variety of problems experienced across different communities - including those in urban, mid-sized, rural, and tribal communities - to discuss how IIJA funds can best be deployed. First year award recipients will join the panel to share insights and strategies for deploying and utilizing funds. Each will present their infrastructure plans to demonstrate how those activities are having an impact in their local community.
Moderator(s)
  • Zeyu Zhang, Manager, Research & Technical Assistance, Council of Development Finance Agencies
Speaker(s)
Tue 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Office Hours
We will keep the conversation going with our industry experts from EY. Attendees will have an opportunity for one-on-one engagement with EY and can ask technical questions. The goal of this session is to provide a platform for communities to engage with industry experts, such as EY, and learn how they can move their infrastructure projects forward.

-Location

The CDFA Infrastructure Finance Learning Series will take place on Zoom. The webinars will be held on April 19, May 31, August 9, October 4, and December 6, 2022. You must have access to a computer and internet to attend the webinars.

-Registration

CDFA has provided two options for registering for the CDFA Infrastructure Finance Learning Series.

Individual Webinars
Participants can register at any time for an individual webinar:

CDFA Member: $250
Non-Member: $300

Full Webinar Series
Participants can register for the full series and receive a significant discount, compared to registering for individual webinars:

CDFA Member: $800
Non-Member: $1,100

Group Discount
Participants from the same organization will receive a 50% discount for registering 5 or more people.

Webinars will be recorded and placed online for participants to access afterward. Only attendees who purchase either an individual webinar or the full series will have access to the online recordings. Attendees who miss a webinar will also have access to the online recording.

Register