US mayors believe prioritising infrastructure and technology investments are key to driving the post-Covid-19 economic recovery, according to a study conducted by the US Conference of Mayors (USCM), in partnership with Siemens USA, by the Harris Poll.

The majority of mayors (89 per cent) also say that cities need to implement smart technologies to help employees return to work with confidence.

Medium- and long-term priorities

While a majority of mayors (94 per cent) agree that their city’s economic recovery depends on containing and preventing community spread of the virus, investing in infrastructure to generate jobs and economic growth is the top immediate (69 per cent) and long-term (71 per cent) priority for mayors, according to Infrastructure, Technology and Mayors’ Priorities for Confronting a Health, Economic and Societal Crisis.

The report reveals, however, that such priorities are threatened by cities nearly universally reporting declines in their operating budget as a result of the pandemic. Confronted by an unprecedented health, economic and societal crisis due to Covid-19, the study showcases mayors’ collective perspective on the strengths and limits of America’s infrastructure in supporting continuity amid crisis, emergency response, economic recovery, ongoing sustainability goals and the safe reopening of schools, offices, businesses and other vital institutions.

“Rebuilding our infrastructure has been a consistent priority for mayors in cities large and small, but our need is made only more urgent by the Covid-19 pandemic”

“Mayors know that few things can revitalise an economy and a city like investments in modern infrastructure and technology,” said USCM president and Louisville (KY) mayor Greg Fischer. “We appreciate private sector partners like Siemens who work with us to leverage our resources to make cities better places to live and work.

“Rebuilding our infrastructure has been a consistent priority for mayors in cities large and small, but our need is made only more urgent by the Covid-19 pandemic. That’s why it’s so important for lawmakers in Washington to appreciate the severity of the budget crisis that cities are facing as a direct result of the virus. Our potential is only limited by the ability to work to together to address these great challenges.”

Key findings from the survey:

• Nearly all mayors (98 per cent) expect their city’s operating budget to decline over the next 12-18 months, with two in three (66 per cent) attributing all or most of the decline to the Covid-19 pandemic
• Mayors’ immediate top investment priorities for economic recovery are investing in infrastructure to generate jobs and for economic growth (69 per cent and expanding delivery of virtual/online city services (63 per cent)
• The majority of mayors (89 per cent) say that cities need to implement smart technologies to help employees return to work with confidence
• More than nine in 10 mayors agree that investment in technology to reimagine, rework, change, or adapt how commercial buildings are being used is necessary for the future of their city (97 per cent) and that investment in buildings/facilities is still necessary for their city despite some tasks being conducted online during the Covid-19 pandemic (94 per cent)
• Two-thirds of mayors (67 per cent) agree that now is the best time for their city to invest in transit-related capital projects to address longer-term needs, likely linked to a majority (92 per cent) who agree that updating roads, signalling, sidewalks, or tunnels/bridges will help bring back jobs and revitalise their city’s economy
• All mayors (100 per cent) report that corporations have a role to play in helping to rebuild/revitalise their city’s economy, most commonly through capital investments (69 per cent)
• According to the survey, the vast majority of mayors (94 per cent) agree that the federal government should provide emergency fiscal relief for America’s cities to mitigate the budget shortfalls resulting from Covid-19’s impact on their local economies. And, 86 per cent say that without financial assistance from the federal government, the ability of their city’s economy to bounce back will be significantly delayed.

“This survey shows that mayors are more committed than ever to embracing the sparks of innovation and technology with greater urgency to adapt, redefine and reimagine their cities in order to better serve local residents and advance economic recovery,” said Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA.

She added: “Siemens is proud to work with mayors across this country to combat the challenges of Covid-19 and help build more resilient, prosperous communities. The global pandemic has only reinforced our belief that partnership between residents and their cities, partnership between mayors and cities, and partnerships between businesses and the communities are essential to moving our country forward.”

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