Obama Signs Stimulus Bill

At and event in Denver, Colorado, President Obama signed the American Economic Recover and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1). The bill provides about $787 million for a variety of programs. Some of the highlight for infrastructure programs include:

-Clean water state revolving fund, $4 billion
-Drinking water state revolving fund, $2 billion
-Community development block grants, $1 billion
-Highways, $27.5 billion
-AMTRAK projects, $1.3 billion
-High speed rail corridors & intercity passenger service, $8 billion
-Rail modernization, $750 million
-Transit capital assistance, $6.9 billion
-Fire station grants, $210 million

Related articles and posts:
House Passes Stimulus Bill
Obama signs stimulus bill with $2B for drinking water

Congress to Consider Recovery Bill

Congress will be considering the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009 over the next few weeks. The bill covers federal spending and programs in many areas, including infrastructure.

Some of the spending proposed under the bill include
-Airport improvement, $3 billion-Broadband internet in rural area, $6 billion
-Brownfields, $100 million
-Clean water, flood control and environmental restoration, $19 billion
-Clean Water State Revolving Fund, $6 billion
-Community Development Block Grants, $1 billion
-Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, $2 billion
-Energy transmission, distribution and production, $32 billion
-Highway construction, $30 billion
-Renewable energy loans, $8 billion
-Rural Water & Waste Disposal, $1.5 billion-Transit and rail, $10 billion

Previous articles and posts related to economic stimulus:
Economic Stimulus Package Would Increase Energy Funding
Economic Stimulus Package Would Increase Environmental Funding
Economic Stimulus Package Would Increase Transportation Funding
Water Infrastructure News
Water Resources News Nov. 24, 2008

Missouri Announces Plans for Disaster Relief Supplement to CDBG

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) today announced that the state’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan is now available for supplemental CDBG funding for disaster recovery due to weather-related events that occurred in May and June 2008.

This funding, authorized under the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008, can assist local governments with disaster recovery efforts in federally declared disaster areas. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has allocated $11,032,438 to Missouri. The CDBG program will administer these funds. By statute, the funds are only available for eligible projects in those federally declared counties.

The plan is available for public review on the Division of Business and Community Services website (http://www.missouridevelopment.org/). Public comments will be accepted until December 24.

DED will sponsor a public meeting to discuss this supplemental appropriation from 9 am to noon on December 18 in Room 492 of the Harry S. Truman Building, Jefferson City.

For more information, contact Andy Papen, compliance manager in the Division of Business and Community Services, at 573-751-3600.