When we think of infrastructure, we’re usually referring to the physical facilities that serve our communities. Examples include mass transit, communication, sewage, water and electric systems, plus roads, bridges and tunnels.Infrastructure provides the ability to easily transport goods and people. If time or neglect renders infrastructure unusable, it becomes difficult for an economy and its citizens to remain connected. Maintaining infrastructure is expensive, but important to economic development. The construction and maintenance of infrastructure may be publicly or privately funded, or funded through public-private partnerships. Some private companies invest in a country’s infrastructure to expand their businesses. Governments will enter a partnership to advance their interests. An energy company can build pipelines and railways in a country where it wants to refine petroleum. The investment can benefit both parties. Other examples include real estate developments or building projects that benefit a community, such as an airport or affordable housing. In investing, infrastructure can refer to an asset class that offers less volatility than equities over the long term. It usually provides a higher yield, as well. Some infrastructure funds invest in transportation or water infrastructure. In information technology, infrastructure refers to the flow and processing of information through servers and network components.