GSA Administrator Holds Roundtable with St. Louis Building Trades on Federal Infrastructure Investments

Source: United States General Services Administration

March 31, 2022

GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan speaks on a roundtable with building trades in St. Louis about bipartisan infrastructure investments.

GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan talks to apprentices at Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 562.

GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan receives a tour of training equipment at Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 562.

ST. LOUIS – U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Robin Carnahan today visited a worker training center in Earth City, Missouri. The Administrator discussed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other Biden-Harris administration efforts to create good-paying union jobs by investing in federal facilities and infrastructure.

“These are once in a generation investments in America’s roads, bridges, rail, airports, ports and public transit as well as expanding access to safe drinking water and high speed internet and addressing the climate crisis,” said Administrator Carnahan. “And when we make these investments, we’re also committed to making sure we get the best value for taxpayer dollars. The President’s executive order calling for project labor agreements on major federal construction projects will help make sure these projects are completed on-time, on budget, and with workers getting the fair wages and benefits they deserve.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes the largest ever investments in broadband, rail and transit, clean energy, and water, and will bring billions of dollars to Missouri, while supporting fair wages and benefits. For Missouri, the law will mean an estimated $7 billion to upgrade Missouri highways and bridges; over $670 million for public transit; nearly $250 million for infrastructure development at airports, and almost $100 million more for electric vehicle charging stations. The law also will also bring a minimum of $100 million to Missouri to help improve broadband coverage, and $860 million for water infrastructure upgrades for schools and communities, including removing lead pipes. The law will also lower costs and strengthen supply chains. For example, GSA recently announced 26 major construction and modernization projects at land ports of entry, strengthening security and facilitating the flow of goods at America’s borders.

Administrator Carnahan also discussed the President’s fiscal year 2023 budget request, which includes funding to improve the safety and sustainability of federal buildings. The President’s Budget includes $10.9 billion in budget authority for the Federal Buildings Fund to reduce the growing backlog of critical repairs and renovations, enhance federal facilities’ climate posture and resiliency, and reduce long term costs. In addition to making long-overdue repairs, the Budget will allow GSA to continue reducing the federal government’s reliance on costly leased space.

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About GSA

GSA provides centralized procurement for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet and overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts. GSA’s mission is to deliver value and savings in real estate, acquisition, technology, and other mission-support services across government, in support of the Biden-Harris administration’s priorities. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.