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City seeks stimulus funds
By Tom Munds
Englewood tossed its fiscal hat into the ring, applying for a portion of the Mainstreet Economic Recovery Plan funds.
The United States Conference of Mayors has requested from President-elect Barack Obama and the Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives at least a portion of the proposed federal stimulus money that will be distributed to communities to build needed projects and create jobs.
Englewood was among the communities invited to submit projects for funding through this proposal.
Mike Flaherty, deputy city manager, said the notification came with a short deadline but he worked with the department heads to develop a lengthy list of projects that meet the criteria of the mayors’ economic recovery program.
“A major requirement is that work could start on the project within 90 days and the project be completed by the end of 2010,” Flaherty said.
The project listed 10 possible project areas. Flaherty said the city projects recommended fit into five of the projects.
Englewood sought funds for projects in five categories — community development block grant projects, city street and road projects, public safety projects, transit projects and water/sewer projects.
In all the proposal requested about $15.8 million for 22 proposed projects. Some of the projects on the list included the street rehabilitation program, water and sewer line replacements, Broadway lighting and median landscape renovations, equipment for police officers and firefighters and construction of the Bates Light Rail Station.
Flaherty said all the projects on the list have been designed and could be completed within the required time. He also said that most of the projects would involve hiring contractors and that would create jobs.
Flaherty said no timeline for awarding the grants has been established but he noted President-elect Obama has asked Congress to have an economic stimulus plan on his desk for signature by Jan. 21 and that would be the first step for the conference to receive funds to distribute to cities.
He added that the city’s list could grow. Flaherty said the conference extended the application deadline to Jan. 6.
“We have asked all department directors to review their requests and see if there are other ready-to-go projects we can add to the list,” he said.
The United States Conference of Mayors has requested from President-elect Barack Obama and the Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives at least a portion of the proposed federal stimulus money that will be distributed to communities to build needed projects and create jobs.
Englewood was among the communities invited to submit projects for funding through this proposal.
Mike Flaherty, deputy city manager, said the notification came with a short deadline but he worked with the department heads to develop a lengthy list of projects that meet the criteria of the mayors’ economic recovery program.
“A major requirement is that work could start on the project within 90 days and the project be completed by the end of 2010,” Flaherty said.
The project listed 10 possible project areas. Flaherty said the city projects recommended fit into five of the projects.
Englewood sought funds for projects in five categories — community development block grant projects, city street and road projects, public safety projects, transit projects and water/sewer projects.
In all the proposal requested about $15.8 million for 22 proposed projects. Some of the projects on the list included the street rehabilitation program, water and sewer line replacements, Broadway lighting and median landscape renovations, equipment for police officers and firefighters and construction of the Bates Light Rail Station.
Flaherty said all the projects on the list have been designed and could be completed within the required time. He also said that most of the projects would involve hiring contractors and that would create jobs.
Flaherty said no timeline for awarding the grants has been established but he noted President-elect Obama has asked Congress to have an economic stimulus plan on his desk for signature by Jan. 21 and that would be the first step for the conference to receive funds to distribute to cities.
He added that the city’s list could grow. Flaherty said the conference extended the application deadline to Jan. 6.
“We have asked all department directors to review their requests and see if there are other ready-to-go projects we can add to the list,” he said.
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