Ohio Dem senator pushing for infrastructure bank

CINCINNATI (AP) — Ohio’s Democratic U.S. senator says creating jobs and promoting investment by companies with infrastructure improvements is key to easing the nation’s economic problems.

Sen. Sherrod Brown is promoting legislation to create an infrastructure bank to help finance projects such as the overhaul of the Brent Spence Bridge, which carries interstate highway traffic over the Ohio River.

The bank would provide loans and loan guarantees while leveraging private sources for projects of regional and national importance.

The bridge project is estimated to cost well over $2 billion. It connects Ohio and Kentucky and carries Interstates 75 and 71 traffic and freight.

Local officials, union leaders, and representatives of companies including the Kroger Co. grocery chain and United Parcel Service Inc. delivery company joined Brown today to express support.