The public buildings that house our schools, courts, libraries, community centers, and inexpensive housing are examples of infrastructure. Buildings must be included in the infrastructure discussion. Almost all Americans (94%) believe that well-supported and maintained public buildings are vital to their communities. Infrastructure is the network of facilities and services that support economic activity and enable people to live comfortably and sustainably. It includes roads, rails, water systems, sewerage treatment plants, airports, bridges, and energy production facilities such as power stations and oil refineries. Infrastructure also includes technology-based solutions, such as the Internet and mobile phones, which provide essential functions for living safely and comfortably. Infrastructure needs constant maintenance and replacement of parts. In addition, there is always some risk of damage from natural disasters or vandalism. To meet these challenges, we depend on both private and public funding mechanisms for infrastructure development and maintenance. Private investment has become increasingly important in recent years, due to a lack of funding from local governments or state agencies. For example, when building a new school, many communities will turn to private companies for assistance with design and construction costs. These "private-public partnerships" help avoid financial hardship for communities who cannot afford to pay for infrastructure out of pocket. They also allow communities to receive improved facilities faster than if they were built only with public funds.