Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act

The Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act aims to enhance accessibility to the rural surface transportation grant program for rural areas and small communities. It significantly revises the definition of a rural area to include populations of 30,000 or less, broadening the scope of eligible regions. Additionally, the bill establishes a new category for a small community , defined as an area outside an urbanized area with a population of 5,000 or fewer. The legislation expands the program's objectives to include generating economic growth and development and improving the quality of life in these areas, and adds new eligible project types. It also increases the Federal share for projects in small communities to a maximum of 90 percent and mandates that at least 5 percent of program funds be specifically allocated to these communities annually.