Join members of Governor Strickland's Staff and Executive Agencies for an information session on the economic stimulus package.
These sessions will provide information for:
In each location, two information sessions will be offered to provide flexibility to attendees. Staff will provide the same presentation during both time periods. The presentation will consist of a 30-minute overview followed by two small group sessions. One session will provide information for organizations that serve individuals. The other session will focus on economic stimulus and other opportunities for businesses. These small group sessions will last approximately 60-minutes and will provide time for questions from attendees.
Columbus: |
Cincinnati: |
Dayton: |
Cleveland: |
Nelsonville: |
Youngstown: |
Akron: (Shuttles will be available from The East Campus Parking Deck, 475 E. Butchtel Ave Akron, OH 44325) |
Toledo: |
To register visit www.development.ohio.gov/recovery/RegionalStimulusWorkshops/
For more information about the State of Ohio's role in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act please visit www.recovery.ohio.gov
The State of Ohio and Governor Ted Strickland have 12 Regional Economic Offices, to learn more about the office near you visit: www.development.ohio.gov/edd/RegionalMap.htm
To be considered for funding, all interested applicants for Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants must complete a two-step process:
For additional information, see: OCJS Releases RFP for $42 Million in Stimulus Funds.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services announced that Head Start and Early Head Start Programs will Receive Over $2 Billion in Recovery Act Funding. View the full article at: www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090402a.html.
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) assists in recruiting and retaining primary care, mental health and oral health professionals for underserved communities. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, an additional $500 million has been provided to the NHSC and other programs that address health professions workforce shortages. This funding is expected to increase the number of health professions students who will be awarded scholarships through the NHSC this year. Scholarship applications are due April 6, 2009 and are available by visiting the following NHSC website: nhsc.hrsa.gov/applications/scholarship/.
Columbus, Ohio – The Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS), has released requests for proposals (RFP) for state-administered stimulus funds for both the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant programs.
OCJS is administering $38 million in JAG funding and $4 million in VAWA funding. Applications are due May 1, 2009, and projects will be notified of funding July 31, 2009. The stimulus funding is in addition to the normal JAG and VAWA RFPs set to be released by OCJS on June 1, 2009.
"We encourage all criminal justice stakeholders to learn more about these funds," said ODPS Director Henry Guzmán. "Thanks to the leadership of President Obama, Governor Strickland and the members of Ohio's Congressional Delegation who supported this bill, we have this unprecedented opportunity to invest in Ohio's future."
OCJS is partnering with the Ohio Attorney General's Office (AGO) to offer video training for potential subgrantees. The training will discuss the application process and provide detailed information that will be useful in preparing a competitive grant application. The training will be held live at the Ohio Peace Officers' Training Academy (OPOTA) location in Richfield on Monday April 6, 2009. Details, including six regional sites to view the training, are listed in the RFP.
The JAG and VAWA RFPs for stimulus funds can be found on the OCJS Web site at: publicsafety.ohio.gov/odps_ocjs/index.stm. Proposals submitted through the state's recovery.ohio.gov Web site must still submit an RFP through OCJS for funding.
Eligibility requirements for stimulus funds are the same as those for traditional funds. Law enforcement agencies not reporting crime statistics through the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) system or the Ohio Incident-Based Reporting System (OIBRS) are not eligible for funding.
The stimulus funds are from the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which seeks to create and save jobs and help state and local governments with budget shortfalls to prevent deep cuts in basic services such as health, education and law enforcement. Projects approved for stimulus funding will focus on job creation and retention.
Ohio received approximately $23 million in additional JAG/VAWA stimulus funds that will be administered directly to local recipients from the Department of Justice (DOJ). Applicants must apply directly to DOJ for these funds.
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Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today applauded the Obama Administration's announcement that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes $138 million for two environmental cleanup projects in Ohio. These resources will provide funding for cleanup projects at U.S. Department of Energy sites in Miamisburg and Portsmouth (Piketon).
"We are grateful to President Barack Obama for keeping his commitment to the cleanup of the Piketon facility. These funds will help reduce environmental risks and create Ohio jobs," Strickland said. "Energy Secretary Steven Chu's decision to invest resources in Miamisburg and Piketon will help to spur economic recovery in southern Ohio."
These projects and the new funding are managed by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management, which is responsible for the risk reduction and cleanup of the environmental legacy from the nation's nuclear weapons program, one of the largest, most diverse and technically complex environmental programs in the world.
The cleanup project at the U.S. Department of Energy's Miamisburg site includes a $20 million investment for the complete remediation of Operable Unit 1. Completion of this project should assist in the community's efforts at site redevelopment as an industrial park.
The investment in the Portsmouth U.S. Department of Energy site cleanup project, which is located in Piketon, totals $118 million for the demolition of surplus facilities which includes electrical switchyard structures, cooling towers, and one pump house, and clean up of 65 acres of contaminated soils.
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The U.S. Department of Energy has issued guidance identifying the cities and counties in Ohio that are eligible to receive direct funding from the U.S. Department of Energy under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. Applicants must register with FedConnect www.fedconnect.net to learn more and to submit applications, which will be due June 25, 2009 at 8:00:00 PM Eastern Time to the US Department of Energy.
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced that 149 transportation infrastructure projects have been prioritized for full or partial funding from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act resources.
"We have identified projects that will put thousands of Ohioans to work quickly," Strickland said. "But to make the best use of these resources, we must also leverage them to create tomorrow's opportunities. In addition to distributing the federal transportation stimulus resources broadly to provide Ohioans in every region with an opportunity to participate in the economic recovery, we are also targeting funds to develop unique regional economic assets. Doing so will strengthen the state's infrastructure system while also bolstering each region's economic vitality in immeasurable ways."
Federal transportation stimulus funds totaling $774 million will be spent in nearly every Ohio county. Based on federal calculations for transportation investment, an estimated 21,257 jobs will be created or retained through these stimulus projects, with thousands of additional jobs likely to be spurred by the economic development that will occur as a result of the projects.
When combined with Recovery Act funds allocated under Ohio's Rural Transit Program, stimulus investments will be made in 87 of Ohio's 88 counties. (Noble County, the remaining county, did not submit a federally-eligible transportation stimulus project; however the state will be investing more than $9.7 million in non-stimulus transportation funds over the next year.)
"Without the leadership of President Obama and the members of Ohio's Congressional Delegation who supported this bill, we would not have this unprecedented opportunity to invest in Ohio's infrastructure" Strickland said.
In addition to selecting projects which met standard federal transportation requirements and Recovery Act guidelines, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Ohio Rail Development Commission and the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) collaborated to prioritize many of the 149 projects that meet both the critical infrastructure needs of each region and promote lasting economic growth.
"The Recovery Act resources have put Ohio in a unique position to seize new opportunities and build toward a stronger, more cohesive transportation system in the future," Strickland said. "Consistent with the 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force recommendations, these projects will move Ohio toward a more multi-modal system of transportation that links Ohio's businesses, highways, railways, transit and ports into an advanced and efficient network for moving goods and people," Strickland said.
As part of the state's $774 million stimulus investment, ODOT will invest $603.5 million into 113 separate roadway projects. Of those 113 projects, $242.9 million is dedicated to 30 bridge projects, and $360.6 million to 83 pavement projects.
ODOT will invest $34.5 million into five maritime projects, including major enhancement projects at the Port of Toledo and the City of Lorain's waterfront development along Lake Erie, and along the Ohio River at the South Point Intermodal Facility in Lawrence County, and the Wellsville Intermodal Facility in Columbiana County.
An additional $68.9 million will be directed to 22 separate railroad projects, mostly targeting the state's busy freight rail system.
The state will invest $50.9 million to support improved intermodal connections, including $14 million at Franklin County's Rickenbacker Intermodal Terminal and Global Logistics Park, and $6.5 million at Toledo's Airline Junction Intermodal Terminal to connect freight shipments by air, rail, and truck.
The remaining funds (approximately $16.2 million) will be directed to additional planning and engineering, as needed.
Among the highlights of these investments:
In the City of Cleveland, ODOT is addressing the state's most-pressing transportation concern by targeting $200 million in stimulus funds, combined with approximately $200 million in additional state and federal dollars, to build a new five-lane westbound I-90 Innerbelt Bridge. At the same time, the state will invest $20 million to advance the planning and design of the Opportunity Corridor, a proposed 3.3-mile urban roadway to connect I-490 to the growing University Circle.
In Cincinnati, the state will invest a total of $23.5 million in stimulus funds to assist in development of the Riverfront Banks Project and the nearby Intermodal Transit Center. In Columbus, $25 million will widen and improve Parsons and Livingston Avenues as part of the expansion of Nationwide Children's Hospital, one the country's best pediatric health care hospitals.
And in Southeast Ohio, ODOT will expedite construction on the final two phases of the three-phased Nelsonville Bypass by investing $150 million in stimulus funds. Phase one of this new four-lane roadway carrying U.S. Route 33 between the cities of Nelsonville and Logan began last year. Under previous planning, these final two phases were not scheduled to begin until after 2012.
Other notable projects include: $11 million for the Vine Street railroad grade separation project in Lima to prevent trains from blocking access to the city's south side; $8 million dedicated to improvements in Akron along the Main Street Corridor and the new Bridgestone Tech Center; a $6 million intersection close to the I-75/Austin Pike Interchange near Dayton and improvements to the Downtown Dayton Gateway.
View additional highlights of Ohio's transportation infrastructure stimulus investments PDF.
View the full list of prioritized projects PDF.
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Ohio will also receive $29.8 million for Rural Public Transit capital projects, including dollars set aside for rural intercity bus capital projects. Combining the Recovery Act dollars with Ohio's annual federal transit funding, ODOT will be able to fund every rural transit system request for new vehicles.
Recovery Act dollars will also fund critical facility, equipment, and technology needs, allowing Rural Public Transit systems to upgrade from the use of paper and pencil to schedule vehicles and allow the agencies to be more agile and responsive in providing services to Ohioans who rely upon them every day.
Last year, Ohio's 35 Rural Public Transit providers offered more than 2.3 million rides to Ohioans in 36 rural counties. In rural areas, where distances are long to reach essential services, the people who use the system tend to be more transit dependent. They may be unable to drive a car, have no access to a car or cannot afford to operate the car they own. In 2007, over 45% of all riders on Rural Public Transit in Ohio were either elderly or people with disabilities. At some transit systems in Ohio this can be as high as 80%.
View the full list of Rural Public Transit investments PDF.
"Investing Recovery Act resources to expand our state's robust multimodal network enhances Ohio's strengths in accommodating for a diversity of business interests," said Mark Barbash, Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "Meaningful, targeted investments in infrastructure and transportation spur both near-term and sustainable economic growth, rendering in our state an interconnected network of unique assets that link Ohio businesses and people."
These stimulus projects will add to the more than $2.1 billion in capital/construction projects ODOT already has planned to undertake over the next 15 months (through state fiscal year 2010). That includes nearly $1.6 billion in investments through the end of this calendar year, encompassing more than 650 transportation projects in each of the state's 88 counties.
Many of these non-stimulus projects will soon begin construction, as part of the department's annual maintenance and modernization efforts identified in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). This includes 36 interstate projects and 125 bridge projects on the state's highway system. The ceremonial start to ODOT's 2009 Construction Season is set for April 7th, although a number of construction projects are already active.
"These projects speak to the important transportation needs of our communities, while creating jobs and positioning Ohio for long-term economic growth and stability," said Ohio Transportation Director Jolene Molitoris.
Combined, the stimulus resources and the Department of Transportation's planned state construction spending will total more than $2.8 billion. Together, those investments will create or retain an estimated 79,637 jobs based on federal calculations for transportation investment.
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal government allocated approximately $935.7 million to Ohio through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for transportation projects. Of that amount, $161.5 million was directly sub-allocated, based on federal formula, to Ohio's major metropolitan planning organizations (Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, and Youngstown).
To identify projects to be funded with the remaining $774.1 million, the state established the www.recovery.ohio.gov website, which allowed Ohio communities, municipalities, businesses and other entities to submit transportation project proposals. More than 4,600 highway, transit, rail and aviation project expressions of interest were submitted through the Web site.
Mirroring a similar team at the US Department of Transportation, ODOT established an Ohio TIGER Team (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) to gather in-depth information from local communities on potential projects. After accepting expressions of interest from February 10 through March 3, the ODOT TIGER Team requested additional information from project sponsors on all 4,602 projects. Of that amount, 3,257 funding applications were returned.
The ODOT TIGER Team then reviewed those applications to determine federal eligibility and readiness to proceed with the project. Only 2,222 projects met the FHWA Title 23 federal eligibility guidelines set forth in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
In addition, prioritization was based on criteria established by the FHWA for consideration during project selection: that priority be given to projects in economically distressed areas (characterized by high unemployment and low average income); projects that maximize job creation and economic growth; and projects which could be advanced and completed within certain timeframes.
Under the Recovery Act, 50 percent of the state's transportation stimulus funds must be obligated and assigned to specific projects by June 29, 2009; the remaining amount must be obligated and assigned to specific projects by March 1, 2010; and the majority of all projects must be constructed by March 1, 2012.
To assist in determining job creation potential, the state used a standard Federal Highway Administration calculation - which estimates that for every $1 billion in transportation investment, 27,800 jobs are created - on every project, no matter its location in the state. Using this standard, it is estimated that these stimulus investments alone will generate 21,257 jobs as a result of project construction. Additionally, the Ohio Department of Development predicts thousands of new jobs will be spurred by the economic development that occurs as a result of the projects.
The stimulus-funded projects which are not already on the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) will be added, after the federally-required public involvement process and approval by regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations, where needed. ODOT will begin accepting public comment on stimulus projects not already on the STIP.
Governor Strickland stressed the importance of ensuring accountability and transparency in the subsequent contracting of projects funded through the Recovery Act. And he reiterated his support for the establishment of a new, independent, non-partisan deputy inspector general position with authority to monitor distribution of federal recovery resources in Ohio to ensure taxpayers have full confidence in the stimulus process.
"As we put these Recovery Act resources to work quickly and efficiently, we must continue our commitment to taxpayer accountability," Strickland said. "Every project selected for funding will be identified online. Every contract will be selected in a fair and transparent manner and subject to careful scrutiny. And we will require recipients of stimulus resources to account for how every dollar is spent."
The governor also recognized the importance of providing all Ohioans with access to opportunities to participate in the recovery.
"We will follow the letter and the spirit of the law in providing all Ohioans with the broadest possible access to the opportunities that these resources provide," Strickland said.
The State of Ohio will require recipients of Recovery Act resources to post any new job opportunities at both www.OhioMeansJobs.com and Ohio's "One-Stop" sites. At least one site is located in every Ohio county. One-Stops provide a variety of training services and match job seekers with employment opportunities.
Other transportation-related Recovery Act resources have been directly allocated to local communities. Specifically, a total of $161.5 million has been directly allocated to local Metropolitan Planning Organizations.
In the coming weeks, ODOT will be working with the Ohio's eight major Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to certify their lists of proposed stimulus investments, to support additional transportation investments and economic growth throughout Ohio. The MPO sub-allocations include $14.1 million to Akron, $6.6 million to Canton, $30.1 million to Cincinnati, $44.2 million to Cleveland, $28 million to Columbus, $17.4 million to Dayton, $11.8 million to Toledo, and $9.3 million to Youngstown. The boards of many of these MPOs have already approved local stimulus project lists.
Ohio will be receiving approximately $150 million in stimulus funds through the Federal Transit Administration specifically directed toward urban public transit.
Ohio's 24 Urban Public Transit systems provide access to jobs, reduce traffic congestion, give individual mobility choices and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. In Ohio, over 60% of all trips on urban public transit are work-related. Overall, transit ridership in Ohio was up 4% in 2008 over 2007 figures.
With more than 30% of its fleet beyond useful life, Ohio's Urban Public Transit systems will be able to use the $150 million recovery funds directly allocated to the transit agencies to purchase new vehicles which emit fewer pollutants and reduce operating costs. By directing stimulus funds to capital purchases, local transit dollars can also be redirected at covering operating costs (which cannot be paid for with federal funds).
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The Recovery.Ohio.gov Individuals page has been updated with new answers to frequently asked questions for individuals requesting assistance. Topics include:
Columbus, Ohio – The Governor's Office announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has revised the deadline for state departments of transportation to submit a list of priority transportation projects to March 31, 2009.
The previously announced guidance (February 2009) had required state departments of transportation to submit data to the federal government on projects to be funded completely or partially with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds by March 17, 2009.
The revised guidance, issued Friday, has moved the date for priority project submittal to March 31, 2009.
This deadline applies to the distribution of specific transportation infrastructure project funds, which the Ohio Department of Transportation currently estimates will total approximately $774 million.
The ability to submit expressions of interest through Ohio's Recovery Act Web site, www.recovery.ohio.gov, for transportation infrastructure projects funded by the Federal Highway Administration through an existing transportation funding formula ended on March 3.
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Federal agencies are providing additional information about recovery funds. We have updated this website to give additional information to Ohioans interested in how these funds will be made available for Ohio.
If you have already submitted a proposal or proposals, do NOT resubmit. You will receive an email with more information soon.
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Governor's Office today announced an update to the federal stimulus disbursement process for drinking water and water pollution control infrastructure stimulus projects provided to the state through existing revolving loan funding formulas.
Ohio EPA currently estimates distribution of drinking water and water pollution control stimulus project funds will total approximately $276.5 million. Currently, Ohio EPA has received project funding requests for approximately $4 billion through Recovery.ohio.gov.
US EPA issued final guidance to states on Monday, March 2, 2009, regarding the award and administration of stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. In this guidance US EPA recommends that states submit applications as soon as possible to allow for states to meet ARRA and statutory deadlines.
"These important resources will create construction jobs and further develop Ohio's water infrastructure to protect human health and the environment," Governor Ted Strickland said. "Both the water pollution control and drinking water infrastructure resources will help to ensure a safe and adequate supply of drinking water for Ohioans."
All applicants interested in completing an Ohio EPA drinking water or water pollution control project interest submission for consideration must observe the following dates and deadlines:
March 6, 2009 by 5 PM: Final date to submit expressions of interest for drinking water and water pollution control infrastructure projects to recovery.ohio.gov/. Applicants should be sure to use the Infrastructure category and appropriate subcategory (either Drinking Water State Revolving Fund or Clean Water State Revolving Fund) provided on the web based form.
March 13, 2009 by 5 PM: All drinking water infrastructure pre-applications and water pollution control infrastructure nomination forms must be completed and provided to Ohio EPA.
Note that these deadlines apply to the drinking water and water pollution control funds only, not other infrastructure elements of Ohio's share of the stimulus resources. For example, these deadlines to do not apply to other funding streams through Ohio EPA, such as the National Clean Diesel Campaign.
Ohio EPA will continue to contact applicants who submit (or have already submitted) expressions of interest for drinking water and water pollution control projects to Recovery.ohio.gov.
Applicants who submit expressions of interest for drinking water infrastructure projects will be given information on how to access and complete a pre-application which should be completed and returned to the agency as soon as possible, but no later than March 13. Applicants seeking technical assistance from Ohio EPA on drinking water projects may contact: stacy.barna@epa.state.oh.us.
Applicants who submit expressions of interest for water pollution control projects will be given information on how to access and complete a nomination form which will need to be returned to the agency as soon as possible, but no later than March 13. (Note: Some applicants may have already received and/or completed the pre-application or nomination form.) Applicants seeking technical assistance from Ohio EPA on water pollution control projects may contact: becky.hegyi@epa.state.oh.us.
Once all applicants have completed their expression of interest and submitted their pre-application or nomination form, Ohio EPA will follow state and federal law and US EPA guidance to prioritize the list of projects for funding. Following this process, Ohio EPA will release a draft Intended Use Plan (IUP) for both the drinking water and water pollution control projects. The draft IUP will include a project priority list and will be subject to public notice, public comment and public hearing requirements.
As of today, 15,000 total project interest forms have been submitted through Recovery.ohio.gov, Ohio's virtual headquarters for information regarding the infrastructure and other unbudgeted elements of the ARRA, which has been online for three weeks.
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Insurance is available to assist Ohioans with questions about COBRA and other state group continuation coverage for workers who lose their jobs Director Mary Jo Hudson announced today.
On February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly called the Stimulus Plan. The new law provides a subsidy that may reduce by 65% the cost of COBRA and other state group continuation coverage for workers who lose their jobs.
"Ohioans who are unsure of where to turn for health care coverage information in these tough economic times should turn to the Ohio Department of Insurance for educational assistance and information," Director Hudson said. "We will work with consumers to provide help and resources."
The new law could provide the following benefits for eligible workers who have lost their jobs:
Individuals who lose group health coverage because of an involuntary termination ("former employees") between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 are eligible for a 65% federal subsidy of their federal COBRA premiums for up to 9 months or state continuation coverage premiums for up to 6 months.
This subsidy is not available to workers whose income in the year they receive the subsidy exceeds $125,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples filing joint tax returns. Spouses, former spouses and dependent children are eligible for premium assistance if their coverage is through the former employee who was involuntarily terminated. However, individuals receiving continuation coverage due to a qualifying event other than involuntary termination, such as divorce or a child reaching the age at which coverage ends, are not eligible for premium assistance. If an individual takes advantage of the subsidy and in the same year exceeds the income limit, he or she must repay the subsidy.
Employers are required to send a notice to former employees so that former employees can elect to continue their group coverage and receive the subsidy. Former employees will have from the first day they are eligible until 60 days after receiving the notice to enroll. Further details about enrollment will be provided by the federal Department of Labor. For the most up-to-date information, contact the Department of Labor at 1-866-444-3272 or visit www.dol.gov/ebsa/COBRA.html.
Ohio insurance consumers with questions and concerns about their insurance can call the Department's consumer hotline at 1-800-686-1526. Free information can also be obtained at www.ohioinsurance.gov.
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Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland announced today that as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Ohio National Guard will receive more than $8.5 million for capital improvements to its facilities across the state.
"These funds will help us modernize and restore 22 National Guard facilities across the state while also putting more Ohioans to work," Strickland said. "Not only will we extend the lives of the facilities, but we will reduce our operating expenses and be more environmentally friendly."
The National Guard Bureau began collecting information on "shovel ready" projects from state National Guards in November 2008 in anticipation of a federal stimulus bill. The Bureau focused on roofing projects and projects related to energy efficiency. In the final bill, approximately $266 million was made available for these types of National Guard capital improvement projects nationwide.
Three of the projects will install solar panels at National Guard facilities.
"The stimulus package will fund Ohio National Guard renewable energy projects, installing solar panels at locations in Columbus, Toledo and at the Camp Ravenna Joint Military Training Center in Newton Falls," said Maj. Gen Gregory L. Wayt, the adjutant general. "These projects will save the National Guard about $78,000 in utility costs within the first year of operation, and will generate about 375,000 Kilowatt hours of electricity per year."
The 22 projects will differ in planning and implementation time, but the goal is to move projects forward as soon as possible. The federal stimulus bill requires that these funds be obligated by the end of September 2010.
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Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Governor's Office today announced an update to the federal stimulus disbursement process for transportation and Federal Highway Administration resources provided to the state through an existing transportation funding formula.
The Federal Highway Administration issued guidance late yesterday, Thursday, February 26, which requires state departments of transportation to submit data to the federal government on projects to be funded completely or partially with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds by March 17, 2009.
This deadline applies to the distribution of specific transportation infrastructure project funds, which the Ohio Department of Transportation currently estimates will total approximately $774 million.
"The transportation funds will help to position Ohio for growth today and economic progress tomorrow," Governor Ted Strickland said. "We are grateful for the opportunity to put these targeted federal stimulus resources to work in Ohio to create jobs and develop our infrastructure. We look forward to continuing to work closely in a bipartisan way with the Ohio legislature and leaders throughout Ohio to take full advantage of these stimulus funds in an efficient and accountable manner."
All interested in completing an Ohio transportation project interest submission for consideration must observe the following dates and deadlines:
Note that these deadlines apply to the transportation and Federal Highway Administration funds only, not other infrastructure elements of Ohio's share of the stimulus resources. For example, these deadlines to do not apply to transit capital grants or rail modernization resources, or other funding streams.
The Ohio Department of Transportation will follow state and federal law and federal agency guidance in prioritizing the list of projects for funding, based on the paper and/or electronic submissions of requested information. If further information or clarification is needed for specific projects, ODOT will contact project managers.
More than 12,200 total project interest forms have been submitted through Recovery.ohio.gov, Ohio's virtual headquarters for information regarding the infrastructure and other unbudgeted elements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which has been online for nearly three weeks.
View the information at recovery.ohio.gov/doc/recoveryDOT-02-27-09.pdf. PDF
View the full article at www.hud.gov/recovery/.
View the full article at www.energy.gov/news2009/6934.htm.
I applaud President Barack Obama's visionary leadership and the efforts of Senator Sherrod Brown and the other members of Ohio's congressional delegation who voted for this vital and necessary bill.
The effects of this recession reach deep into the lives and pocketbooks of everyday Ohioans. The federal stimulus is the right investment at exactly the right time to jumpstart the stalled economy. These resources will save or create more than 130,000 jobs for Ohioans and provide tax cuts to working families, while also helping to protect essential state services that Ohioans rely upon every day.
The stimulus resources will enable Ohio to make targeted investments in the critical sectors of our economy that will create and grow jobs — laying the foundation for future economic growth and shared prosperity.