Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland applauded today the Obama Administration's announcement that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes over $42 million for renovations and repairs at several national parks and airports in Ohio.
The U.S. Department of Interior announced an investment of more than $17 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act resources for projects at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Hopewell Culture Historic Park and Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial.
In a separate announcement, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced an investment of more than $24 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act resources for two construction projects at Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport and Findlay Airport.
"I am grateful to President Obama for his decision to invest these resources that will help improve our parks and airports while also creating jobs in Ohio," Strickland said. "I want to thank members of Ohio's congressional delegation for appropriating these funds that will put Ohioans to work."
Details of the projects are listed below:
Top | More Governor's Office Press Releases
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio EPA Director Chris Korleski today announced intended project priority lists that include 69 drinking water projects in 52 communities and 255 water pollution control projects in 164 communities to be offered funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Ohio EPA has issued draft Intended Use Plans (IUPs), and will hold a public meeting to take comments on the plans on May 7, 2009, in Columbus. U.S. EPA will need to approve the IUP prior to funds being awarded.
"This additional federal funding will provide jobs while also improving Ohio's worn water infrastructure," Director Korleski said. "Stimulus money will be combined with the state's existing assistance funds to spread economic recovery and improvements to as many Ohio communities as possible. We are able to help these communities because President Obama and Ohio's Congressional members recognized the importance of investing in these types of projects."
Recognizing the great need of Ohio's communities, Ohio EPA will make 100 percent of stimulus funds available as subsidies, which is more than the 50 percent required in the Recovery Act. Non-Recovery Act funds will also be "mixed and matched" with Recovery Act funds to increase the number of communities able to receive infrastructure funding. Matching funds for drinking water projects will be offered at 0 percent for 20 years for non-disadvantaged communities or 30 years for disadvantaged communities. For water pollution control projects, matching funds will be offered at 0 percent to 3.7 percent for a period of time ranging from 5 to 20 years based upon the specific type of project. (i.e. planning and design loans for 5 years or construction projects up to 20 years).
"The Recovery Act has provided Ohio the opportunity to get people back to work, while addressing one of Ohio's biggest concerns —aging water systems," said Director Korleski. "These funds will help protect public health and improve water quality."
The draft IUPs describe how Ohio EPA intends to distribute the funds provided from the Recovery Act, along with the distribution of traditionally available annual financial assistance from Ohio EPA's loan funds. The IUPs explain how Ohio EPA will administer the funds and prioritize projects. To learn more, please review the intended use plans. A full list of priority water infrastructure improvement projects and guidelines can be viewed on Ohio EPA's Web site:
Drinking water projects: www.epa.state.oh.us/ddagw/dwaf_economic_stimulus.htm
Water pollution control projects: www.epa.state.oh.us/defa/stimulus.html
A public information session and public hearing on the proposed project lists will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2009, at the Riffe Government Center, 19th Floor - Room 1948, 77 South High Street, Columbus. The meeting will conclude after everyone has had an opportunity to comment on the plans.
Written comments will be accepted through close of business on May 8, 2009. Comments on the proposed drinking water project list should be sent to Stacy Barna, Ohio EPA, Division of Drinking and Ground Waters, P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, OH 43216-1049 or e-mailed to stacy.barna@epa.state.oh.us. Comments on the proposed water pollution control project list should be sent to Becky Hegyi, Ohio EPA, Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance, P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, OH 43216-1049,or e-mailed to becky.hegyi@epa.state.oh.us.
The intended project list was developed by narrowing project applications for 1,694 drinking water projects from 488 public water systems. Ranking was determined in accordance with state and federal law, including the following factors:
Consistent with ARRA goals and requirements, Ohio EPA is proposing to allocate 50 percent of Recovery Act funds to projects that indicated they would be ready to proceed to construction by June 2009. As a second priority for drinking water funding, Ohio EPA identified projects to meet the 20 percent green infrastructure requirement. The remaining Recovery Act funds were allocated in priority order to projects indicating they will be ready to proceed to construction by September 30, 2009.
Ohio anticipates receiving $58.46 million in an ARRA capitalization grant to combine with $81 million non-ARRA capitalization grants, bonds and repayments. Ohio plans to offer a total of about $140 million. When compared to market loan rates, the combination of stimulus grants and low-interest WSRLA loans would save Ohio communities $154 million in financing costs over 20 years.
The intended projects list was developed for water quality construction projects by narrowing 1,609 project nominations from 536 communities.
To be considered for funding, water pollution control project applicants must:
Priority ranking was given, in accordance with state and federal law, to:
A portion of the funding ($5 million) will be used to address water pollution resulting from poorly operating home septic systems. Ohio EPA and the Ohio Department of Health will collaborate to develop a structure to award funds to county commissioners, municipalities or other eligible entities to assist residents with the upgrade and replacement of home sewage treatment systems. ARRA also requires 20 percent of funding to be set aside for "green" projects.
The Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) anticipates receiving $220.6 million in Recovery Act funding to combine with $730 million in non-ARRA funding. This will provide more than $950 million for water quality improvement projects to stimulate Ohio's economy. When compared to market loan rates, the combination of stimulus grants and low-interest WPCLF loans would save Ohio communities $569 million in financing costs over 20 years.
Through grants from U.S. EPA and matching funds provided by Ohio EPA, the State of Ohio has established financial and technical assistance programs under both loan funds to help Ohioans improve their water systems. Since 1998, the Ohio Water Supply Revolving Loan Account has invested more than $630 million in improvements.
Since 1989, the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund has awarded more than $4 billion in low-cost financing for a wide variety of water quality actions. Municipalities, private organizations, and individuals have received assistance for projects such as wastewater system improvements, agricultural pollution control practices, home sewage system upgrades, contaminated site cleanups, and stream restoration and protection. The fund has saved borrowers more than $970 million in interest expense.
Ohio EPA directs the loan program and evaluates the proposed projects. The Ohio Water Development Authority manages the program's loan accounts and issues bonds to ensure financing is available.
Top | More Environmental Protection Agency News Releases
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Doug Lumpkin today announced that the state will utilize $20.7 million in Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to create four new initiatives in partnership with Ohio's 20 workforce investment boards (WIBs).
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama in February, provides a total of $138 million to Ohio through the WIA program to assist an estimated additional 20,000 adults, youth and dislocated workers with job training, job search assistance and youth employment services.
The $138 million includes $20.7 million for state-funded programs, $14.6 million for rapid response efforts and $102.7 million to be distributed by the state's 20 WIBs.
The four new initiatives – Urban Youth Works, Recovery Conservation Corps, Constructing Futures, and Ohio Learning Accounts/Project HIRE – will expand employment opportunities for urban and rural youth and traditionally underserved adults, broaden inclusion in apprenticeship programs across the state and provide an enhanced job matching program to link employers and job seekers to training funds and tax credits in targeted regional industries.
State agencies will coordinate with the workforce investment boards to make optimal use of the ARRA resources, including a portion of the $102.7 million allocated directly to the WIBs, through the new initiatives.
"This unique partnership among our state agencies and our local workforce investment boards will ensure that we are effectively utilizing this infusion of WIA funds to serve those who are most in need," said Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. "We're addressing the evolving needs of our workforce and preparing our next generation of workers with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century."
Of the total ARRA WIA funds, 85 percent are distributed to local workforce investment boards based on a federal formula that incorporates variables including unemployment statistics and numbers of disadvantaged low-income individuals.
Of the funds being distributed to the WIBs, $19.9 million will support services for adults, $35.1 million will support services for dislocated workers, and $47.7 million will support programs for youth. The stimulus amounts will supplement existing WIA allocations.
"We are excited to be partnering with the workforce investment boards, as well as the departments of Natural Resources, Development and the Board of Regents to offer these programs for Ohio's unemployed workers and families," said Lumpkin. "These stimulus funds present us with a tremendous opportunity, and these programs will allow us to fully maximize them, for the good of Ohio's families and our state and local economies."
Ohio's workforce investment boards establish local policies for the state's workforce system. The WIBs will distribute their funds for these four initiatives and other local programs in strict accordance with Recovery Act guidelines and with full transparency and accountability.
"We are so pleased to be partnering with the state on these initiatives," said Rosie Picklesimer, director of Workforce Connections, a workforce investment board that serves Adams, Brown, Pike and Scioto counties. "This money could not have come at a better time, and we can't wait to start using it to get more of our young people and unemployed workers back to work and contributing to our economy again."
Strickland has asked that the Ohio departments of Job and Family Services, Development, Natural Resources and the Ohio Board of Regents work together in partnership with the workforce investment boards on the following four initiatives for Ohioans:
This initiative will fund workforce development initiatives targeting low-income urban youth in fiscal year 2010. The state will provide $6.7 million for the program and fund grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 through an open, competitive Request For Proposal (RFP) process. Priority will be given to those proposals effectively serving the highest number of youth in a 12-month timeframe, and to programs that best lead to permanent jobs.
This initiative will provide employment sites for the workforce investment boards to hire youth ages 16 to 24 to improve Ohio's state parks and natural areas. Focusing on both rural and urban areas, particularly those in economic decline, Corps workers will assist with projects such as building recreation lands, boardwalks, observation areas and trails and curbing the spread of invasive species. The state will provide $2 million for support services through a partnership with the workforce investment boards on this initiative.
"These workers will gain critical experience and on-the-job training as they improve the state's parks, wetlands, forests and other natural areas," said ODNR Director Sean Logan.
"The time couldn't be better for our youth, including inner city youth, to be introduced to careers in the green market, specifically working with the Department of Natural Resources and participating parks in our cities. We are hopeful that this initiative will stimulate interest in future careers that otherwise may not have been available," said Suzanne Coleman-Tolbert, President and CEO of Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation/JOBLeaders. "Our youth will get involved at the ground level of long-term careers with the added bonus of doing something good in the communities and neighborhoods in which they live, work and play."
The State of Ohio will provide $4 million to offer remedial education, supportive services and pre-apprenticeship training that will lead to trade apprenticeships for low-income and traditionally underserved adults, including minority groups, women, veterans, dislocated workers and ex-offenders.
Ohio Learning Accounts and Project Hometown Investment in Regional Economies (HIRE) will provide $8 million for specialized, multi-dimensional support to remove barriers for dislocated workers seeking training and employment.
Through Ohio Learning Accounts, Ohio will provide flexible training accounts of up to $6,000 for individual dislocated workers who require training or certification in order to find jobs. Participants may establish a personalized Career Training Plan, and those who establish plans at their local One-Stop Centers will be able to request state funds for short-term training.
Project HIRE continues the process by providing an enhanced job matching program linking employers and job seekers to training funds and tax credits. Using labor market and business community knowledge, the Ohio Department of Development will identify employers in targeted regional industries of high need who are looking for employees with specific skills that may be matched through Project HIRE. The state and local workforce investment specialists will coordinate Project HIRE events to match employees and employers.
The local WIA areas and University System of Ohio will be critical partners in this program, and these initiatives will all work hand-in-hand with OhioMeansJobs.com, the state's online job matching service. OhioMeansJobs.com is the outcome of a Strickland administration initiative to put Ohio employers and job seekers together in a dynamic, user-friendly setting. The online job matching system was created through an innovative collaboration between the State of Ohio, Indeed.com and Monster Government Solutions, in response to feedback from consumers who indicated that the previous state-offered online job matching systems did not include enough job postings or resumes to serve as a useful statewide job matching tool.
Ohio organizations interested in applying for stimulus funds Urban Youth Works and Construction Futures should submit proposals to http://recovery.ohio.gov. Requests for Proposal will be issued to all those who express interest. Those interested in local initiatives should contact the workforce investment board in their area. For a map of Ohio's workforce boards and their contact information, go to http://jfs.ohio.gov/workforce/localboard/index.stm.
Ohio job seekers interested in learning more about their eligibility for employment and training programs – and employers looking to connect with workers – should call or visit their local One-Stop Centers. For a map of Ohio's One-Stop Centers and their contact information, visit http://jfs.ohio.gov/workforce/jobseekers/onestopmap.stm.
For more information about the American Recovery and Investment Act and Workforce Investment Act programs and guidelines, visit recovery.ohio.gov.
Editor's Note: A pie chart showing the distribution of WIA stimulus dollars can be found at http://jfs.ohio.gov/RELEASES/WIAPieChart.pdf PDF. For more information about the new initiatives, visit http://jfs.ohio.gov/releases/ConstructingFuturesInitiative.pdf PDF, http://jfs.ohio.gov/releases/OMJProjectHIRE.pdf PDF, http://jfs.ohio.gov/releases/RecoveryReinvestmentCorpsInitiative.pdf PDF and http://jfs.ohio.gov/releases/YouthEducationEmploymentStrategiesInitiative.pdf PDF.
Top | More Jobs and Family Services Press Releases
Columbus – There are only two days left for potential subgrantees of state-administered stimulus funds to submit the mandatory statement of interest form through http://recovery.ohio.gov as part of the application process for both the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant programs.
This statement of interest form must be completed by 8 p.m. on April 24, 2009 in addition to completing the Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) request for proposal (RFP) by 8 p.m. on May 1, 2009 to be eligible for funding.
The JAG and VAWA RFPs for stimulus funds can be found on the OCJS Web site at: http://publicsafety.ohio.gov/odps_ocjs/index.stm. Details of how to complete the statement of interest form are listed on the OCJS Web site.
OCJS, a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, released the RFP for these stimulus funds on April 1, 2009. OCJS is administering $38 million in JAG funding and $4 million in VAWA funding. Projects will be notified of funding by 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.
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.
JAG funds state and local jurisdictions and supports all components of the criminal justice system, from multijurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment and justice information sharing initiatives. VAWA funds projects that assist units of local government in developing and strengthening law enforcement and prosecution strategies and services to combat crimes against women.
Top | More Ohio Department of Public Safety Press Releases
The Ohio Arts Council will receive $353,400 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The Recovery Act provides $50 million to the NEA to be distributed in direct grants to organizations to preserve jobs in the nonprofit sector threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support in the recent economic downturn.
"We are very pleased to receive this money from the NEA and to be able to reinvest it in Ohio's nonprofit arts sector," said Julie Henahan, executive director of the Ohio Arts Council. "One of the main priorities of the OAC is to provide financial operating support to Ohio's arts and cultural organizations and this money will go directly to where they need it the most — job preservation — at a critical point in Ohio and the nation's efforts to boost our economy."
Forty percent of the $50 million received by the NEA is being distributed to state and regional arts agencies and 60 percent of the funds will be competitively awarded to nonprofit arts organizations that have received funding previously from the NEA. The Ohio Arts Council submitted its grant application March 13, outlining a plan to quickly disburse the funds to Ohio arts organizations with special attention to geographic equity and underserved populations.
The Ohio Arts Council's Recovery Act grant program, the Ohio Arts Jobs Preservation Grant program, will be open only to nonprofit arts organizations and will require grantees to use the funds for salary support, full or partial for one or more positions that are critical to an organization's artistic mission, and/or fees for previously engaged artists and/or contractual personnel.
The Ohio Arts Council has posted funding Guidelines, scoring criteria, FAQ, key dates in the funding cycle and contact information for constituents interested in applying at the Ohio Arts Jobs Preservation main page. The application is now open for eligible grantees and the deadline for applications is June 15, 2009. Interested applicants also will need to submit a separate Expression of Interest on Recovery.Ohio.gov. All necessary instructions for the OAC and State of Ohio pages are included in the Ohio Arts Jobs Preservation Grant Guidelines available at www.oac.state.oh.us/grantsprogs/OhioArtsJobsGrantsmain.asp.
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.
Top | More Ohio Arts Council News Releases
On April 1, 2009, Governor Ted Strickland signed legislation amending Ohio law to allow up to 20 weeks of additional unemployment compensation (UC) for eligible Ohioans based on the Total Unemployment Rate (TUR) criterion.
"This law provides extended unemployment compensation to those unemployed Ohioans who have exhausted all regular state UC benefits and federal emergency unemployment compensation as of February 22, 2009," said ODJFS Director Douglas Lumpkin.
There are two levels of payments available as a result of the legislation. The first level allows up to 13 weeks of Ohio extended benefits. These 13 weeks became available because the average TUR (seasonally adjusted) for the most recent three-month period equaled or exceeded 6.5 percent, and the average TUR was at least 110 percent of the average TUR for the same three-month period in one or both of the two preceding calendar years. The second level will provide eligible jobless Ohioans up to an additional seven weeks of benefits, for a potential total of 20 weeks of Ohio extended benefits. These seven weeks became available as a result of Ohio's average TUR having exceeded 8 percent for the past three months.
"In this time of economic hardship, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will move as quickly as possible to issue these benefits," Lumpkin said.
Potential eligible individuals who have exhausted their unemployment benefits will receive instructions by mail or telephone within the next few weeks on how to file for extended benefits. ODJFS is in the process of reprogramming the unemployment delivery system to be able to issue these extended benefits. Claimants will receive payments retroactive to February 22 or their date of federal emergency unemployment compensation exhaustion, whichever is later.
Top | More Department of Job and Family Services News Releases
On April 13, 2009, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) released detailed guidance on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youth Grant Awards. Ohio has been awarded $1.9 million in Homeless Children and Youth grants to help school districts meet the educational and related needs of homeless students. The Ohio Department of Education will distribute this grant to districts via a formula process. For more information on this guidance and other information on education-related stimulus funds visit the USDOE at www.ed.gov or the Ohio Department of Education at ODE Stimulus Updates.
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today applauded the Obama administration's strategic plan for national high-speed rail service.
Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jolene M. Molitoris joined President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today for the introduction of the plan in Washington, D.C.
Governor's Statement on Obama Administration Strategic Plan:
"The state of Ohio shares the Obama administration's vision to establish a high-speed system of passenger rail in our country. High-speed rail links communities and enhances the quality of life for all residents, while benefiting our environment and our pocketbooks by reducing reliance on foreign oil.
"I applaud President Obama for his visionary leadership and commitment to passenger rail service. Decades from now we will view this renewed investment in rail as we view President Eisenhower's investment in the interstate highway system — one that all Americans rely on for the efficient transport of people and commerce. The Obama strategic plan includes five Ohio cities as part of the planned Chicago Hub Network, which illustrates the state's important central position for transportation opportunities in the Midwest region.
"Just as Ohioans came together to ensure that our state was not bypassed by the interstate highway system, we must do the same today to ensure that the federal government sees the importance of investing in passenger rail in Ohio. It is critical that we work toward partnerships at the local, state and federal level in order to position Ohio competitively for federal funding and demonstrate that we're ready to make this exciting project a reality.
In the coming weeks and months, I will work with Ohio's congressional delegation, our state General Assembly, local officials, the business community, and all Ohioans to send a clear message to the U.S. Department of Transportation that Ohio is ready for passenger rail."
The strategic plan, which outlines the Obama administration's plan for a world-class high- speed rail system and the future of national transportation policy, is available in full at http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/31.
On April 1, Strickland signed into law the biennial transportation budget for Ohio, which supports the state's efforts to restore passenger rail service to the 3-C Corridor (Cincinnati-Dayton-Columbus-Cleveland) and dedicates American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to complete the first phase of planning for the Ohio Hub, Ohio's high-speed rail network.
When completed, the Ohio Hub will connect Ohio communities with each other and with neighboring states, including the three federally-designated high-speed corridors that will link Cleveland and Cincinnati to Chicago, and link Cleveland and Cincinnati via Columbus.
Top | More Governor's Office Press Releases
The DOE strongly recommends that those interested in receiving Smart Grid funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) visit Grants.gov. Due to the likelihood of a short response period between the issuance of the Smart Grid guidelines and the deadline for an application submittal, interested applicants are encouraged to begin the registration process at Grants.gov registration. The "Organization Registration User Guide" and "Organization Registration Checklist" provided on the site are very helpful tools that will guide you through the one-time actions that prospective applicants must complete in order to submit an electronic funding request at Grants.gov or Fedconnect.net. Both sites require identical information, which is included in the checklist. It should be noted that once a registration application is submitted it may take up to 21 days for the request to be processed.
If you have additional questions after you search Grants.gov, the phone number for the Grants.gov contact center is (800) 518-4726. Their hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The PUCO has also updated its website to include a direct link for Smart Grid funding information. You may want to frequent the site for up-to-date information. Additionally, e-mail updates will continue to be provided to you as information becomes available from the DOE.
A reminder that the deadline to submit a request to the US Department of Justice for the COPS Hiring Recovery Program is drawing near. All applications must be submitted today, April 14, 2009. Comprehensive information about the program and how to apply is available on the COPS website: http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=2108.
On April 1, 2009, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) released detailed guidance on the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), Title I and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). For more information on this guidance and other information on education-related stimulus funds visit the USDOE at www.ed.gov or the Ohio Department of Education at www.education.ohio.gov and search for key word: stimulus.
The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) has posted on its Stimulus Web site application materials for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Ohio has been allocated $2.95 million to provide eligible School Food Authorities (SFAs) with grant opportunities to purchase equipment to improve the quality and safety of the food served, increase energy efficiency of service operations, and expand the participation of the students in the school meal program. The application process will run from April 8 through May 18, 2009. Applications are available by visiting ODE's 2009 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities Web page.
Today, the Department of Health and Human Services announced $1 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for the Community Services Block Grant Program. Ohio's share, $38,976,102, will be distributed to community groups.
For additional information, see the entire story.
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Ohio EPA Director Chris Korleski today applauded the Obama Administration's announcement that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes $1.73 million for school bus retrofits in Ohio. These dollars will be awarded by Ohio EPA to local school districts to help them purchase and install pollution control equipment onto school buses, reducing students' exposure to the harmful pollutants in diesel exhaust.
"We are grateful to the Obama Administration and U.S. EPA for its investment in reducing Ohio students' exposure to diesel exhaust," said Ohio EPA Director Chris Korleski. "Ohio EPA plans to award these funds to school districts this calendar year."
Ohio EPA intends to award the funds to public school districts who apply to the Ohio Clean Diesel School Bus Fund during 2009. The $1.73 million will be added to $900,000 already available this year in funds from other sources. This includes $600,000 in state funds from civil penalties collected by Ohio EPA for violations of Ohio's pollution control laws, and nearly $300,000 in a federal Diesel Emission Reduction Act grant already received from U.S. EPA.
The next deadline for school districts to apply for these funds is September 1, 2009. School buses of model years 1994-2007 that travel at least 5,000 miles per year are eligible for retrofits funded by this program. The grant application may be viewed by visiting http://www.epa.state.oh.us/oeef/html/schoolbus.html. School districts who wish to apply for these funds also should enter a pre-application for their project proposal on the www.recovery.ohio.gov Web page. School districts should choose the Energy and Environment option under the Federal Stimulus Program and the Emissions Reduction/School Bus Retrofits sub program.
Ohio EPA is planning a series of information sessions around the state in June to assist interested applicants and vendors. Sessions are scheduled on June 9 from 9-11 a.m. at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission in Columbus, and on June 11 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Regional Air Pollution Control Agency in Dayton. Additional sessions are being scheduled for other parts of the state. Directions and registration information for all sessions will be posted at http://www.epa.state.oh.us/oeef/html/schoolbus.html as soon as arrangements have been completed. Interested applicants and vendors may contact carolyn.watkins@epa.state.oh.us for more information on these school bus retrofit grants.
There are three other opportunities for Ohio entities to apply to U.S. EPA for federal stimulus dollars for clean diesel projects. Application deadlines for those projects are April 28, 2009, and May 5, 2009. These opportunities are described at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/eparecovery/index.htm.
Ohio EPA, the Ohio Department of Development and the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority are working with interested parties to apply for the national clean diesel program, combining some of the project proposals that have been submitted to the www.recovery.ohio.gov Web page. The criteria used to select projects for inclusion in the state's application reflect the criteria in the Request for Applications published by the National Clean Diesel Assistance Program, at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/eparecovery/documents/recovery-act-national-clean-diesel-rfa.pdf PDF. Applicants also may submit proposals directly to U.S. EPA following the guidance offered. Applicants seeking technical assistance from Ohio EPA on diesel emission reduction projects other than school bus retrofits may contact Carolina Prado at carolina.prado@epa.state.oh.us.
Top | More Ohio EPA Press Releases
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.
Top | More Ohio Department of Public Safety Press Releases
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.
Top | More Governor's Office Press Releases
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).
Top | More Governor's Office Press Releases
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.
Top | More Governor's Office Press Releases
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.
Top | More Department of Insurance Press Releases
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.
Top | More Governor's Office Press Releases
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.