What is a primary purpose of Municipal Bonds?

Municipal bonds serve as a critical tool for financing various projects at the state and local levels. Their primary purpose is to raise funds for public infrastructure projects, including roads, schools, hospitals, bridges, and other essential facilities that benefit communities. By issuing these bonds, municipalities can secure necessary capital without immediately needing to raise taxes or cut public services.

Investors who purchase municipal bonds are essentially lending money to these local governments in exchange for periodic interest payments and the return of their principal investment upon maturity. This arrangement allows municipalities to undertake significant projects that contribute to community development and public welfare.

The rejection of the other options reflects their inapplicability to the core function of municipal bonds. For instance, they are not designed for international projects or to fund private enterprises, which is often the domain of corporate bonds or private financing. Additionally, while tourism can benefit from improved infrastructure financed by municipal bonds, the bonds themselves are not specifically intended to promote tourism directly. Their focus remains on supporting the public good through local and state projects.