Mission
The Build America Bureau (Bureau) advances investment in America’s transportation infrastructure by lending federal funds to qualified borrowers; clearing roadblocks for creditworthy projects; encouraging best practices in project planning, financing, and delivery; and fully using available lending capacity while protecting taxpayer resources. The Bureau has authority to lend about $70 billion, and offers technical assistance, grant programs to support innovative project development, and financing practices to deliver infrastructure in the United States.
Designated Services
Designated Services
Pursuing expertise on project development, delivery, and financing best practices to understand how to access transportation infrastructure credit programs
The Bureau helps project sponsors and potential borrowers (customers) access expertise on project development, delivery, and financing best practices. Customers can learn about Bureau resources through LinkedIn and the public website, https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/. As of October 2023, the Bureau had more than 3,400 LinkedIn followers and had 30 to 50 page views per month. Customers also become aware of Bureau resources when staff participate and deliver presentations at industry conferences. If customers request, or accept Bureau offers for, consultations, Bureau experts tailor single or multiple sessions based on the customer’s interests, needs, and circumstances. For example, certain programs are available for privately-held railroads, while others are available for state and local government. Bureau staff typically provide 50 to 100 such consultations per year.
Applying for credit assistance for transportation infrastructure projects
If the project sponsor or potential borrower (customer) decides to pursue financial assistance, the customer works with an assigned Bureau project development lead to demonstrate customer and project eligibility, compliance with Federal requirements (such as environmental review), and likely ability to repay a loan with interest. The customer demonstrates these, among many other, qualifications by providing documentation, including project specifications, engineering drawings, financial statements, and analysis. The number and complexity of these requirements varies with project complexity and risk, including technical challenges and level of public support or opposition.
Action Plans
As of FY24, DOT's Build America Bureau is inactive as a High Impact Service Provider