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TFG President to Join Panel on Infrastructure Bill’s Impact in Idaho

Mark Limbaugh joins the Idaho Environmental Forum to discuss the future of Idaho’s built and natural environments.

TFG President Mark Limbaugh will bring decades of congressional, federal funding, and environmental policy experience as a panelist at the Idaho Environmental Forum’s “MENDING THE GEM STATE: How the Infrastructure Bill could affect Idaho’s natural and built environments” webinar to discuss what this funding could mean to Idaho and the western United States.

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TFG and ICMA to Hold Infrastructure Funding Webinar for Local Government Leaders

Participants will learn what is included in the bipartisan infrastructure package and its implications for local governments.

The Ferguson Group (TFG) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) invite local government leaders to join the “New Infrastructure Funding: An Overview for Local Government Leaders” webinar on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. EST.

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NATaT to Join the 2021 Small Town America Civic Volunteer Awards Ceremony

NATaT will honor 100 of the nation’s top public service and safety volunteers from small localities across the country.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT) is pleased to join the 2021 Small Town America Civic Volunteer Awards (STACVA) Ceremony on Monday, November 15, 2021. NATaT is a proud co-sponsor of the annual event which honors the extraordinary achievements of 100 public service volunteers from communities under 25,000 including several from NATaT member states. CivicPlus will award prizes to each winner, including cash awards, valued over $1,000,000. Other co-sponsors of the award are the National Association of Counties, National Volunteer Fire Council, Points of Light, and Main Street America.

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ICMYI: TFG Principal David Hoover Participates on The Future of Rural Broadband Panel

David Hoover shared his telecommunications and broadband expertise as a panelist at the 15th annual INDATEL Business Symposium.

KANSAS CITY, MO.— The Ferguson Group (TFG) Principal and telecommunications expert, David Hoover, participated on “The Future of Rural Broadband” panel at the 15th annual INDATEL Business Symposium, which was held November 7-10 in Kansas City, MO. The panel discussed the state of broadband connectivity in rural communities across the country and strategies to tap into federal telecommunications funding and resources.

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TODAY: Butte County, CA to Testify on FEMA Assistance for Communities Facing Wildfires

Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Butte County, CA, Casey Hatcher, will testify on the effectiveness of FEMA assistance to communities facing wildfires to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Today, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Butte County, CA, Casey Hatcher, will testify before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on the effectiveness of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance to communities facing wildfires.

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Overview

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) serves as the primary vehicle through which Congress authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects and establishes policy frameworks for water resource development nationwide. Enacted on a biennial schedule, WRDAs provide congressional authorization for USACE to conduct feasibility studies, construct flood risk reduction projects, improve navigation infrastructure, restore aquatic ecosystems, and assist with environmental infrastructure development.
Since the enactment of WRDA 1986, Congress has used these omnibus authorization bills to both create new USACE authorities and refine existing programs based on evolving national priorities and lessons learned from program implementation. Recent WRDAs have addressed critical issues including drought resilience, water supply development, infrastructure modernization, and support for economically disadvantaged communities.
The most recent legislation, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024, P.L. 118-272), continued Congress's bipartisan commitment to strengthening America's water infrastructure by authorizing new construction projects, modifying existing authorities, and establishing updated policy guidance for USACE operations. WRDA 2024 also authorized five new regional environmental infrastructure programs, each incorporating flexible delivery mechanisms that allow federal assistance to be provided through grants or reimbursements to nonfederal sponsors.
Authorization through WRDA is typically a prerequisite for USACE activities to receive federal appropriations through the annual Energy and Water Development appropriations process. This two-step framework—authorization followed by appropriation—ensures congressional oversight of both program scope and funding levels.
Section 219 of WRDA 1992, as amended, represents one of USACE's most geographically expansive environmental infrastructure assistance authorities. Originally enacted to authorize design assistance for 18 specific projects, Section 219 has been amended by subsequent Congresses to authorize both design and construction assistance for water-related environmental infrastructure in hundreds of municipalities, counties, and states across the nation.
The Congressional Research Service has identified over 600 environmental infrastructure assistance authorities with cumulative authorizations of appropriations totaling approximately $18.1 billion. Section 219 authorities constitute the majority of these geographically specific project authorizations, covering at least 46 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories.
Section 219 projects address critical community needs including wastewater treatment facilities, water supply and distribution systems, stormwater management infrastructure, surface water protection, and environmental restoration. These projects support public health, environmental quality, and economic development in communities that have secured congressional authorization for USACE assistance.
Congress has continued to expand Section 219 in recent legislation. WRDA 2022 added 132 new Section 219 authorities and amended 24 existing authorities. WRDA 2024 authorized an additional 193 new Section 219 authorities and amended 53 existing authorities, providing a combined $5.4 billion increase in authorization of appropriations. WRDA 2024 also established a seven-year pilot program to increase the federal cost share from 75 percent to 90 percent for Section 219 projects benefiting economically disadvantaged communities.
Unlike traditional USACE water resource projects, Section 219 assistance does not require completion of the agency's standard feasibility study process. However, projects receiving Section 219 assistance must comply with applicable federal environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act.
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Grant Due Industry Transformation: FY 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program

WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program will help communities and regions devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies through a variety of non-construction and construction projects to address economic challenges in areas where a Presidential declaration of a major disaster occurring in calendar years 2023 and 2024 was issued. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? District organizations of EDA-designated economic development districts (EDDs); Indian tribes or consortia of tribes; states, counties, cities, or other political subdivisions of a state; institutions of higher education or consortia of institutions of higher education; and public or private nonprofit organizations or associations

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $1,447,000,000

WHEN IS IT DUE? March 3, 2026 (Industry Transformation); Rolling (Readiness and Implementation)

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US Congressional Calendar

Jeffrey Burke
Alex Yiannoutsos
/ Categories: MeetUs

Jeffrey Burke

“Growing up in and around rural Maine taught me about the resiliency of communities and instilled a passion to support projects that strengthen them.”

Jeffrey Burke is an Associate at TFG and joined the team in October 2024. He brings a wide range of public policy knowledge to support the firm’s clients, including experience with congressional appropriations, economic development, housing, and health care policy.

Prior to TFG, Jeffrey worked with the National Association of Rural Health Clinics to improve health care in rural communities. As their Deputy Director of Government Affairs, he primarily focused on congressional engagement and advancing legislation that would better support safety-net providers. Jeffrey also brings five years of Capitol Hill experience working for U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr., specifically focusing on the financial services and appropriations portfolios. In that capacity, he addressed issues related to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and helped secure hundreds of millions of dollars for Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) projects in Maine.

Jeffrey is originally from Bangor, Maine and he possesses a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Maine.

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Tags: AssociateJeffrey Burke
TitleAssociate
Emailjburke@tfgnet.com
Phone(202) 793-1512

Latest TFG News

A Message from Roger Gwinn on the Passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa 7 January 2026

A Message from Roger Gwinn on the Passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa

WASHINGTON, D.C. – TFG CEO, Roger Gwinn, released the following statement regarding the passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa.

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Chris Cummins

Chris Cummins

Legislative and Policy Director

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