Recovery in Action: AL, HI, KS, LA, NM, OH

FRIDAY, JULY 17TH, 2009 AT 10:50 AM
Recovery in Action: AL, HI, KS, LA, NM, OH
Posted by Nathan Sterken
The Recovery Act has three main goals: to stop the free fall of our economy, to create and save jobs and jumpstart our economy, and to build the foundation for long-term economic growth. The funds provided by the Recovery Act are still creating jobs across the country and helping put people to work now, but this week we highlight projects ensuring our nation’s long-term economic growth. From funding the improvement of airports in Kansas to new sources of clean energy in Hawaii, the Recovery Act is investing in the infrastructure that will keep America strong for years to come:

Alabama, Southeast Sun, 7/15/09:

Rucker Boulevard to be upgraded through funding "Though an area highway upgrade has fallen to the wayside after encountering planning difficulties, Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell said a major city thoroughfare will soon be upgraded thanks to federal stimulus money. Boswell and the Enterprise City Council unanimously agreed to enter into an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation to repave Rucker Boulevard… During the repaving of Rucker Boulevard, a much sought-after traffic signal will also be installed at the intersection of Freedom Drive and Rucker Boulevard. The project, which will repave Rucker Boulevard from Reynolds Street to the Enterprise/Fort Rucker Gate, is expected to be awarded in August… City officials began lobbying for the resurfacing of Rucker Boulevard in its entirety more than two years ago and lobbying efforts were successful last year when ALDOT agreed to begin the project. The project was unfortunately cut short, however, when state funding ran low and left only one-third of Rucker Boulevard resurfaced… ‘We have had the traffic light actually warranted for quite some time, but we had to wait until there was money allocated for it,’ Boswell explained…The traffic signal, Boswell said, is another step the city is taking to make motorists safe."

Hawaii, Honolulu Advertiser, 7/16/09:

HECO to get $750,000 in wind power stimulus funds "Hawaiian Electric Co. will receive $750,000 in federal stimulus money to develop wind power initiatives, U.S. Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel K. Inouye announced yesterday. The grant, from the U.S. Department of Energy, will support HECO's Hawaii Utility Integration Initiatives. ‘Grants like this will help Hawai'i as we continue to strive for energy independence through the creation of renewable power solutions that utilize our unique access to wind, water, solar and other sustainable resources,’ the senators said in a statement. Wind farm projects are operating on Maui and the Big Island. Other projects are being planned for Kahuku, Maui and Lana'i."

Kansas, Associate Press, 7/16/09:

Salina airport project putting federal stimulus dollars to work "Construction is under way at the Salina airport on improvements funded partly with federal stimulus money. The work includes redeveloping the north ramp, which is part of the Salina Airport Authority's plan to provide additional services to a variety of aviation customers. Funds exceeding $830,000 were awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration. Construction will leave the airport with more than 1 million square feet of hangar, shop, office and classroom space for aviation businesses and their customers. Airport Authority executive director Tim Rogers says expects the construction project to create at least 850 aviation and aerospace jobs with an annual payroll of more than $21 million."

Louisiana, Associated Press, 7/16/09:

Louisiana gets $43M in stimulus money from EPA "The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality says the state has received $43 million to work on overdue wastewater upgrades and to fund ‘green projects.’ The money was awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency and comes through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Congress passed this year to stimulate the U.S. economy. DEQ said Wednesday that the money will be spent in 55 cities and towns in 42 parishes."

New Mexico, New Mexico Business Weekly, 7/15/09:

State gets $34.5M in stimulus water grants "Approximately $34.5 million is coming to New Mexico for water projects under the federal stimulus plan. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it is awarding $15 million to the New Mexico Environment Department for the state’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund program. Another $19.5 million will go to the New Mexico Finance Authority for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program. Both programs provide low-interest loans for water projects. The clean water program funds quality protection projects for wastewater treatment, non-point source pollution control, and watershed and estuary management. The drinking water program helps finance infrastructure improvements in drinking water systems. It emphasizes small and disadvantaged communities and programs that encourage pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drinking water. About $4 billion will be awarded for wastewater infrastructure projects nationwide under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and about $2 billion will be awarded for drinking water infrastructure projects. About 20 percent of the drinking water funds are to be used for green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency improvements and other environmentally innovative projects."

Ohio, WTOV-9, 7/15/09:

Stimulus Project Underway in Harrison County "Stimulus dollars are already helping to fill in gaps in ODOT project funding. A project just under way on U.S. Route 22 in Harrison County will remove three bridges and not replace them. The area will instead be filled in with dirt and paved, reducing maintenance and inspection costs… Removing the bridges will save ODOT about $7 million over the next 35 years, plus an additional $5,000 a year in inspection and maintenance costs. This is one of the first stimulus projects in the state to break ground, and the effects can be felt in more ways than one. In total it is estimated that almost 3,000 hours will be spent on the job by union carpenters, laborers and operators."