The National League of Cities has announced the July 14 launch of “Building Cities, Building Futures”—a national tour centering on sustainable infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth—in Houston, with subsequent stops in Los Angeles; Charlotte, NC; and Chicago. Deputy Secretary of Transportation John D. Porcari and former Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell will headline the tour, holding discussions on the infrastructure needs of the nation and how to encourage private investment and development.

The purpose of the tour, sponsored by Siemens, is to bring together representatives of local business, government, and the community to discuss how to effectively plan and prioritize funding and the options available to promote resiliency and create jobs.

“We must get serious about addressing our infrastructure needs if the United States is to remain economically competitive with the rest of the world,” Rendell said. “It’s not just about more infrastructure investments; it’s about smarter investments. It’s about greater accountability and transparency so that the right projects are completed the right way, achieve specific outcomes and deliver the greatest economic returns. It’s also about embracing and rewarding innovation that so often starts in many of our states and cities.”

The sessions will include discussions that correspond directly to the infrastructure needs of the local community. The tour will also focus on the need for effective regional collaboration to solve pressing infrastructure needs.