Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker has taken on another role in addition to his mayoral duties, with his recent appointment to the National League of Cities 2023 Transportation and Infrastructure Services federal advocacy committee.
That committee is responsible for developing the NLC’s positions on issues involving transportation, including planning, funding, safety and security of public transit, streets and highways, aviation, railroads and ports. Barker’s appointment, which will last for one year, was announced on May 18 by officials from the City of Hattiesburg.
“It’s a great honor to be one of a few dozen cities represented on a national advocacy board that will help our federal policy makers shape transportation policy and funding priorities for the next year,” Barker said. “As a mayor, being at the table when information is passed down on new funding opportunities through grants and other initiatives puts our city in a very favorable position.”
As a committee member, the mayor will play a part in shaping NLC’s policy positions and advocate on behalf of America’s cities and towns before Congress, with the administration and at home. As such, Barker said he will take advantage of funds provided by the American Rescue Plan Act, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill issued by the federal government to speed up the United States’ recovery from the economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The same goes for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – which has seen more than 32,000 projects across the nation such as repaving roads, water system upgrades and bridge projects – and the Inflation Reduction Act, a $370 billion investment aimed at clean energy technology, manufacturing and innovation.
“(Those) have given unprecedented funding to state and local governments,” Barker said. “My goal is to make sure that Hattiesburg and other municipalities have the information they need to go after those things.
“We’re in a (position) where we can really make some big differences in our community, and I want to make sure that cities around the state – including ours – are taking advantage of this once-in-a-generation effort.”
Since Barker was elected as mayor in 2017 – and re-elected in 2021 – the city’s administration has focused heavily on infrastructure, including the paving of more than 100 miles of roadway throughout Hattiesburg, while continuing to invest in water, sewer and roadway infrastructure projects.
In 2020, the city received two of its largest federal transportation grants in city history – a Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grant and a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant – which are funding the construction of two upcoming overpasses on Hall Avenue to alleviate traffic delays caused by trains.
“I think the overpasses tell Hattiesburg’s story, and when you go through a major Public Works (Department) project like we’re going through right now, you learn a lot about the challenges that cities and counties face when they’re dealing with federal agencies and railroads,” Barker said. “Those interactions and experiences allow you to give first-hand perspective to the people who matter, who can help shape those things and change those things.
“We’ve had some very in-depth discussions already, and I’ve been afforded (the opportunity) to have face-to-face conversations with the two railroads we’re waiting on to sign grant agreements, or my concerns with how the (Mississippi Department of Transportation) is handling projects where pre-COVID estimates don’t match post-COVID bids. It’s important for them to get that perspective, and I think they appreciate the experience that Hattiesburg, and other communities like it, have gone through.”
After Barker’s initial one-year term on the committee is completed, he will be eligible for another appointment.
The National League of Cities is made up of city, town and village leaders, with the mission of advocating for those entities by influencing federal policy, strengthening local leadership and driving innovative solutions. More than 2,700 cities across the nation are part of the organization.
