3.1 minute read
June 15, 2026
At the recent Infrastructure Summit hosted by the City of Salinas, a distinguished panel of experts challenged attendees to think differently about how we fund and deliver the infrastructure our communities depend on every day. Facilitated by Rhonda Combs and featuring insights from Stephanie Gripne, Craig Hill, and Erin Birkenkopf, the discussion focused on innovative approaches to funding public infrastructure and the opportunities that exist when public and private sectors work together.
The conversation centered around a challenge that nearly every community faces: infrastructure needs continue to grow while traditional funding sources struggle to keep pace. Roads, bridges, utility systems, broadband networks, public facilities, and energy infrastructure all require significant investment, yet many agencies are tasked with delivering these improvements with increasingly limited resources.
One statistic shared during the session was particularly thought-provoking. In the Salinas area, private wealth is estimated at approximately $700 billion. The panel suggested that if even a small fraction of that capital, around $7 billion, were directed toward infrastructure investments (yielding a modest return), it could dramatically accelerate the delivery of critical community projects. At just 1% of the region's estimated private wealth, the concept raises an important question: Are there untapped opportunities to leverage local capital to help solve public infrastructure challenges?
While public-private partnerships (PPPs) are not a new concept, they continue to evolve as communities look for more flexible and innovative ways to deliver projects. When structured appropriately, PPPs can help public agencies access financing, share risk, accelerate project delivery, and bring specialized expertise to complex initiatives. More importantly, they encourage collaboration around a common goal: building infrastructure that improves the quality of life for communities while creating value for all stakeholders involved.
The discussion also highlighted Progressive Design-Build, a delivery method that is gaining momentum across the industry. Unlike the traditional Design-Bid-Build process, Progressive Design-Build brings owners, designers, and contractors together earlier in the process. This collaborative approach can improve cost certainty, mitigate project risks, and create opportunities for innovation before construction begins. As infrastructure projects become increasingly complex, delivery methods that foster collaboration amongst a variety of perspectives are becoming more valuable than ever.
What resonated most with me was not simply the discussion about financing tools or delivery methods, it was the mindset behind the conversation. The infrastructure industry has historically relied on familiar funding mechanisms and established processes. While those approaches remain important, the reality is that future challenges may require us to think beyond traditional solutions.
Whether the answer is public-private partnerships, impact investing, alternative financing structures, or entirely new models that have yet to emerge, the willingness to explore creative solutions is what will move our industry forward. Communities cannot afford to let critical infrastructure projects sit on the shelf because funding is limited or traditional approaches no longer meet the moment.
As infrastructure professionals, planners, engineers, contractors, and public leaders, we should continue asking difficult questions and exploring innovative ideas. The future of infrastructure delivery may not depend on finding a single solution, it may depend on building a broader toolbox of funding strategies, partnerships, and delivery methods that help communities invest in the projects they need most.
The City of Salinas and the panelists deserve recognition for bringing this conversation to the forefront. By challenging attendees to think differently about infrastructure funding, they sparked an important discussion about how we can continue delivering meaningful projects in a rapidly changing world.
Sometimes the most impactful innovation isn't a new technology, it's a new way of thinking.
I’m attending the Water Collaborative Delivery Association 20th Anniversary Symposium in Denver, Colorado July 28 – 30. I am sure to have additional thoughts on collaborative delivery…stay tuned.
