As members of Ohio’s Congressional delegation discussed the amount of money headed to the Buckeye State from the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act, there was agreement:

Priorities should be set for the money.

U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, said the funding will be $1.4 billion for water infrastructure, $1.2 billion for public transportation, at least $100 million for broadband access, $1.8 billion for road infrastructure and $71 million for lead pipe abatement, according to the Ohio Capital Journal.

So who sets the priorities?

Each member of Congress has his or her own ideas about what should be done with the money, though the truth is those closest to the problems should have the greatest say.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, is right in noting that mayors and county commissioners will have to get organized quickly to take full advantage of the funding.

“The money will come soon, it’s mostly up to local governments and state governments to begin to turn the spigot on and get the money flowing,” he told the Capital Journal.

That means knowing what their communities need and knowing what types of projects will give them the most value. And whether it’s installing water pipes or shoring up road slips, they also must know how to convince the folks in Washington, D.C., that their projects deserve the funding.

Though the numbers being thrown around sound astronomical, they are not limitless; and our communities will find ways to use those funds.

Local officials looking to help their own constituents had better get their ducks in a row. Now.