Infrastructure Week 2025 marked a significant milestone for GIIA, as we hosted our inaugural U.S. Symposium, Funding the Future of U.S. Infrastructure, in Washington, D.C., centered around the growing recognition in Washington of private capital’s critical role in the American infrastructure market.
The Symposium brought together a cross-section of GIIA members, policymakers, and industry leaders for a high-level discussion on the future of U.S. infrastructure investment and the challenges ahead. We also launched our white paper, Building a New Foundation for U.S. Infrastructure, reinforcing our commitment to shaping the policy debate and driving meaningful policy action.
Despite the U.S. being a top market for global investors, progress has been slowed by over-reliance on public debt and lengthy permitting processes. Our Symposium and white paper are a call to action for Congress and the Trump Administration to make it easier for state and municipal governments to access private investment and expertise—so we can deliver the modern, resilient infrastructure American communities need for the future.
A new blueprint: GIIA’s white paper
Coinciding with the event, GIIA launched its new white paper, Building a New Foundation for U.S. Infrastructure. Developed through extensive consultation with members, the paper offers a practical, actionable roadmap for federal policymakers.
At its core are three priority recommendations:
- Keep building – sustain delivery momentum and strengthen project pipelines.
- Preserve incentives – maintain essential tax and policy tools that support investment.
- Open the door for private capital – create more consistent, accessible routes for long-term private finance.
The paper outlines 25 specific recommendations, from advancing permitting reform and public-private partnerships (P3s) to boosting workforce skills, and improving transparency around investment pipelines. The message is clear: the private sector stands ready and the policy environment must now evolve to support it.
1. The U.S. infrastructure gap is an opportunity for private capital
Despite bipartisan achievements in recent years, the U.S. still faces a US$3.7 trillion infrastructure funding gap over the next decade. As GIIA’s chief executive Jon Phillips noted in his fireside chat with Marsia Geldert-Murphey, 2024 President of the American Society for Civil Engineers, this presents not just a challenge – but a significant opportunity.
“This is a bipartisan moment. Industry, government, and the public are aligned in their desire for action — and global investors are ready to help build resilient, modern infrastructure for the next generation.”
Geldert-Murphey brought to the fore the broader positive economic ripple effects of infrastructure investment, emphasising that robust infrastructure underpins national competitiveness, job creation, and community resilience. She stressed that bridging the gap will require a step-change in collaboration between the public and private sectors – urging both sides to “take the gloves off” and work together on practical solutions.
Panelists who followed the fireside chat agreed that private capital brings more than just funding. By providing real-life examples, private capital delivers innovation, efficiency, and advanced delivery methods that can accelerate timelines and stretch public dollars further — enabling smarter, more sustainable investment in America’s critical assets.
2. The challenge is not capital, but making capital go further
One of the key insights of the day came from DJ Gribbin, former infrastructure adviser in the Trump Administration, who reminded the audience that the real issue is not a lack of capital, but how to make existing capital work harder.
“It’s not about capital per se, but about unlocking new approaches — streamlining permitting, modernising procurement, and using innovation to maximise every dollar invested.”
Panelists pointed to examples of success, including the expedited delivery of the Tappan Zee Bridge, I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge, Washington, D.C. street-lighting, and innovative asset management practices in Salt Lake County. These case studies not only demonstrate how private investment can boost efficiency and impact — but also how public trust can be built through transparency, thoughtful stakeholder engagement, and clear communication about community benefits.
3. Building public understanding through communication
Effective communication emerged as a central theme throughout the Symposium. While investor appetite remains high, speakers noted that public skepticism often stems from a lack of understanding — not only of financing models but of the tangible benefits that private investment can bring.
Participants stressed that upfront, transparent stakeholder engagement is no longer optional — it is foundational. By clearly articulating the community outcomes, panelists argued, policymakers and project sponsors can build stronger public support and smoother delivery pathways. As one speaker put it: “It’s not just what you’re building — it’s how and why you’re building it that matters.”
4. Federal leadership must empower local solutions
Another clear takeaway from the day was the need for federal leadership that enables local innovation. Rather than applying one-size-fits-all mandates, panelists called for federal tools that support state and local governments to shape investment solutions that work for their communities.
This bottom-up approach reflects GIIA members’ experience globally — where successful public-private partnerships are often built around local priorities, backed by national policy certainty.
A call to action
“Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who also served as Chair of the National Governors Association (2019–2020) — during which he led an initiative focused on modernising American infrastructure — delivered the event’s keynote address.” Hogan offered sharp insights into the opportunity for private capital’s role in modernising the nation’s infrastructure:
“We need to tap into private sector expertise and capital, modernise delivery models, and ensure America’s infrastructure future is built on partnership and innovation.”
Under his two-term governorship, which ended in 2023, Maryland moved from 49th to 6th in the U.S. for overall economic performance — a success Hogan attributes to a strong focus on modern infrastructure delivery models during his mandate. As Hogan summarised:
“We didn’t just fix infrastructure — we used infrastructure to fix the state.”
His words are a call to action for policymakers and investors alike, and GIIA stands ready to engage with Congress, Administration, state, and local policymakers to help unlock private capital’s potential in delivering the infrastructure American citizens so strongly deserve.
A full photo album of the night is available to view and download on our Flikr page.