FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Paula Hertwig Hopkins, Assistant City Manager - (573) 874-7218

City seeks maximum benefit from Recovery and Reinvestment Act

COLUMBIA, MO (March 25, 2009) - The city of Columbia is building on opportunities available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed last month by President Obama. A little more than $227,000 already is in hand through a direct allocation from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). City officials also are applying for funds through competitive processes and are staying alert to continuing announcements from federal and state agencies.

According to Assistant City Manager Paula Hertwig-Hopkins, HUD has allocated $227,139 to Columbia through the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). “We are ready to target some of this money to sidewalk accessibility improvements,” Hertwig-Hopkins said.
At least some of those projects likely will be built in the east section of downtown and in the west section of East Campus, Hertwig-Hopkins added. “New curb ramps and other reconstruction are needed to meet standards in the Americans with Disabilities Act are priorities,” she said.

Other expected opportunities include $8 million for a new COLT railroad bridge over Highway 63, north of Columbia, and more than $3.8 million to improve the Stadium Road pavement between Broadway and Highway 63. All of this money comes through the US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.

Hertwig-Hopkins said that city officials are committed to some key principles as they pursue Recovery Act funds:
• Staying accountable to citizens and to funding agencies;
• Targeting programs that help Columbia reduce energy use, create “green jobs” and wisely use or protect natural resources;
• Taking advantage of every other opportunity for which Columbia is eligible and where there is a reasonable expectation of success.

She added that city agencies will work cooperatively to identify and prepare funding applications. “If our Water and Light Department sees something that might interest the Public Works Department, they’ll make that contact. They’ve already identified some energy-efficiency projects that fit within both departments’ missions and that are high community priorities,” Hertwig-Hopkins said.

“It’s also important to keep this work in perspective. “We’re not getting big eyes about a huge funding windfall for Columbia,” Hertwig-Hopkins said.

“Let’s look at the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grants, as an example. Two billion dollars are available nationwide. Missouri’s share is a little more than $40.3 million, or around two percent of the total. The state gets 60 percent, cities get 40 percent and, by the time it gets to our level, we’re looking at $264,768 for the city of Columbia and $63,210 for Boone County,” Hertwig-Hopkins said.

“As this work takes shape, we will put applications, status reports, news releases and other resources online,” Hertwig-Hopkins said. “We already have a “Transparency in Local Government” link on our home page, and this is where we’ll continue to build a record for the public.”

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Resources

Transparency in Local Government: http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Transparency/index.php

Recovery.org - Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program

http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/fighting-crime-improving-justice-system