Stimulus Funds Piling Up in County
By
Rick Elkins
Tulare County - More than $71 million has already been allocated to Tulare County in federal stimulus money and more is likely on the way.
Much of the money – $22.8 million – has been spread around the county for various transit needs, from new buses to paying for large road construction projects.
Schools are in line to receive a total of more than $20 million in just a first phase of funding, Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks are in line for nearly $14 million and another $9 million has been allocated to create jobs and assist those who have lost work. There are also many smaller funded projects – from hosing upgrades, to equipment for law enforcement to energy efficient projects.
While none of the money has actually made it into the county just yet, it will in the matter of a few days. The jobs programs are already lining up youth to work this summer – beginning in June – and Visalia City Manager Steve Salomon says the Ben Maddox bridge over Highway 198 might be the first road project to get federal money.
In fact, Visalia expects to receive $11.6 million – $6.4 million of that for the Ben Maddox overcrossing.
The Cutler Public Utilities District is in line to get more than $2 million to upgrade that community's water system.
Economic Development Corporation of Tulare County CEO Paul Saldana says the money can only help.
“It helps to address certainly some infrastructure deficiencies there – roads and water.
Those are all big needs,” he said, but he isn't sure what the long-term impact will be. “We're still waiting to see how that helps turn around the economy.”
Tulare County Board of Supervisors spokesman Eric Coyne said it is likely the county will see more money since much of it is in the form of grants that government entities must apply for to receive. Tulare County, along with many cities in the county, is still writing those grant requests or are waiting to here. And, Sequoia National Forest has not yet heard if it will get any funding, although part of the stimulus package includes money for the U.S. Forest Service.
“There's still lots of money they have not granted,” said Coyne, adding in fact the state hasn't finalized the rules so many are waiting to apply.
Still, officials are pleased with what's been allocated already.
“What's nice is it's spread across the board,” said County Supervisor Chairman Phil Cox. He noted that about 2,000 youth will get jobs this summer thanks to the money and some adults will get jobs as well.
Cox also noted how the money has a multiplier effect. “That money bounces around. What's nice is that $70-plus million could be over a $200 million boost to the county. That multiplier is huge,” he said.
Saldana said the county has lost 14,000 jobs (across the board) in the last 12 months and he is hopeful the stimulus money will help to find jobs for some of those people out of work. Still, he feels it will take more than stimulus money.
“I think there needs to be some stability in national and state economy so people start spending,” he said, adding, “This is a temporary fix to a structural problem.” He said what is needed is getting money into people's pockets so they spend more in the local economy.
Salomon says the money can't hurt. “People will get hired and will be working – those people who would otherwise not have be working,” he said.
Schools will divide up an estimated $20 million, with Visalia Unified expected to get more than $6 million. However, the money is restricted and will not go a long ways to solving the fiscal crunch many districts are facing.
Another $2.27 million has been allocated for energy upgrades. The city of Visalia is looking at retrofitting many fixtures and the city of Tulare is looking at ways to reduce its electric bill. Tulare will get $643,000, while Visalia will get $1.14 million. Porterville will get $496,000.
There is also money for housing or neighborhood improvements. Visalia will get $350,000, Tulare $185,000 and Porterville $190,000. And, Visalia is in line for $490,000 and Porterville $190,000 in funding for public safety. That money must be used to purchase equipment, not for salaries.
Of the transit money, which is being distributed through the Tulare County Association of Governments, $13.6 million will go to regional projects; $3.4 million will go to local projects; $523,479 will go to Transportation Enhancement projects; and $5.2 million will go to transit projects.
The bulk of the transportation money – $13.6 million – will be used for two regional projects: The Ben Maddox interchange and the widening of Road 108 between Visalia and Tulare. Both projects are slated to begin in the next few months. Visalia also got $2.7 million to expand its transit center.
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