Anglers at Thurmond Lake can enjoy new courtesy docks and recreation facilities. Medical College of Georgia researchers are awaiting funds for research and computers. Road widenings and repavings are moving forward ahead of schedule. Even the Augusta Housing Authority will see some green that includes $6.1 million in renovations for Peabody Apartments.

The biggest stimulus apple in the local economy is tied to the $1.6 billion in U.S. Energy Department funding at Savannah River Site, where thousands of workers are either at work or being added in hopes of completing environmental cleanup projects years ahead of schedule.

"The total head count as of Jan. 8, 2010, is 2,860," SRS spokesman Jim Giusti said Wednesday. The goal announced at the program's onset was to create or retain at least 3,000 jobs.

Most of the stimulus funds are being managed by the site's main contractor, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, and are being used to accelerate projects that include the decommissioning of P and R reactors, which once produced plutonium for the nation's nuclear arsenal. Workers also hope to speed up exporting of nuclear waste shipments from SRS and demolition of obsolete buildings.

Though the spending, and the jobs, are expected to last only through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act's September 2011 deadline, the impact of the SRS cleanup projects will be felt for much longer, according to Rick McLeod, the executive director of the SRS Community Reuse Organization, an economic development consortium.

"What will last longer is the issue of reducing the site footprint, which is one of the things this series of projects is supposed to do," he said.

Speeding up efforts to consolidate the site's activities within a much smaller area will in time free up outlying areas for reuse and new missions sooner, he said.

"As they consolidate and shrink those areas, more land becomes suitable for other uses -- not only things like an energy park but for other community activities."

Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119, or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.

Comments (66)

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getalife 01/14/10 - 03:38 am

While this is great for now,

While this is great for now, when the money runs out the jobs will be eliminated. You cannot rebuild an economy with temporary jobs.

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Bubblesup 01/14/10 - 04:16 am

Let's enjoy the great for now

Let's enjoy the great for now moment and give credit to Obama for making these jobs appear. During tough times like these, every day with a job is a better day.

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1941 01/14/10 - 04:57 am

Accept what is for now!!Later

Accept what is for now!!Later will take care of itself! Some said the stimulis was the wrong thing to do, but the president did what he felt was best for the country, and now the SAME people who said it would not work, is now seeing the fruits of his labors. Most people who are out of work will take temporary work or, whatever they can find!!! So to the naysayers and Obama haters, GETALIFE!!!!!!!

AJ1 01/14/10 - 05:06 am

"Anglers at Thurmond Lake can

"Anglers at Thurmond Lake can enjoy new courtesy docks and recreation facilities." Did these docks magically appear over the past 9 months? Is the magic word "CAN"? How about "where thousands of workers are EITHER AT WORK or being added in hopes of completing environmental cleanup projects years ahead of schedule." The Socialists that think this "0" is doing a great job must be graduates from the Lowell Greenbaum Delusional Academy.

LancelotLink 01/14/10 - 05:34 am

It's all about me, me, me,

It's all about me, me, me, now, now, now for the Obamorons. To heck with the long-term effects on the country, it's all about me! Unfortunately, most aren't even "gettin minez" now, nor will they ever. The honeymoon is long over.

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johnston.cliff 01/14/10 - 05:40 am

Yes, Obama and the stimulus

Yes, Obama and the stimulus is providing government jobs, temporary government jobs. This has little to do with the economy since taking money from taxpayers to create jobs is a smoke and mirrors fix. With the dumbing down of America being so successful, it's easy to trick those who graduated or attended government schools. Knowledge of how the economy works is just unimportant to the "live for today" crowd.

LadyCisback 01/14/10 - 06:10 am

Any money for education!!

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gaspringwater 01/14/10 - 06:59 am

How much did the Republicans

How much did the Republicans squander in Iraq reconstruction. $100 billion dollars? More or less, it's hard to tell. An unpublished 513-page federal history is on line and it says, " over the years a sea of taxpayer dollars flowed to Iraq."
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/world/middleeast/14reconstruct.html?_r=2
So why complain about the Democrats spending a few dollars on Americans?

LancelotLink 01/14/10 - 07:09 am

gasping, this is not about

gasping, this is not about what the CONGRESS authorized to be spent on Iraqi reconstruction. This is about the Obama initiated "stimulus" package. Another pitiful try at deception from a liberal moron kook-aid drinker. Defend your man, c'mon, dare ya to try.

gaspringwater 01/14/10 - 07:28 am

LancelotLink - Thank you for

LancelotLink - Thank you for the Republican input. As you noticed, I do have some revulsion to Republican waste but I sincerely approve of stimulus money being spent in the CSRA. I'm also a big advocate of the environmental and whole-heartedly approve of SRS clean up.

LancelotLink 01/14/10 - 07:41 am

gasping, you've made that

gasping, you've made that clear very many times. Keep posting, it shows how Obama got elected. How is that global warming this morning, have you been out to have a smoke break yet?

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GGpap 01/14/10 - 07:41 am

Lancelot, this IS about

Lancelot, this IS about taxpayer money being spent in America to benefit Americans! Appparently, you'd rather your tax dollars go to benefit questionable muslims in Iraq. A treasonous position, sir! GGpap

LancelotLink 01/14/10 - 07:44 am

Boy, you just stepped over

Boy, you just stepped over the line there. Whatever you get from here out you just earned. Tell me about your career of military service to your country before you start accusing someone of treason.

whocareswhatyouthink 01/14/10 - 07:46 am

To a Republican, any tax

To a Republican, any tax money spent on ordinary Americans and not given to Corporations is wasted.......

whocareswhatyouthink 01/14/10 - 07:51 am

While you are at it,

While you are at it, Lancelot. tell us about the career of military service of those great Conservatives Rush Limbaugh and Dick Cheney, who are forever accusing everyone who does not adhere to their deluded beliefs of Treason....Didn't Dick "have better things to do" than serve in the Military? (during wartime, no less....)

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john 01/14/10 - 07:54 am

so boat docks help the

so boat docks help the economy how? do docks give people money to spend in businesses? improvements are nice, but its spending, not stimulus. whocares, good name by the way, the issue is what is stimulus. but since dems cant even admit what sex is, clearly stimulus is harder to define. ahh, but who cares right? same to you ggpap. lets just admit that dems spent a bunch of money on stuff and just called it stimulus to get it passed.

john 01/14/10 - 07:55 am

Ok, i take it back. my CEO

Ok, i take it back. my CEO just read this article, and since now there are new boat docks, he is going to hire 50 people. I stand corrected.

LancelotLink 01/14/10 - 07:57 am

whocares, this is not about

whocares, this is not about them. Thank you for following the all too predictable liberal response of attempting to deflect attention away to somebody or something else. It's so predictable it's almost like watching Road Runner cartoons. Everybody already knows what's gonna happen. The culture of "blame others" and never accept any responsibility is alive and well in the left. Hilarious.

gaspringwater 01/14/10 - 08:07 am

LancelotLink - Your 5:34 post

LancelotLink - Your 5:34 post disparages Obamorons and it caught my eye. I gather you don't consider yourself in that class. Are you a Bush-moron? Nevertheless, your cute dumb labels not important and we'll move on. The government contaminated the Savannah River Site for half a century and the $1.6 billion put toward clean up is a paltry sum. They need to put billion more toward cleaning up the site because it's on top a major water aquifer.

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grinder48 01/14/10 - 08:10 am

many of the above posts,

Unpublished

Georgiais1 01/14/10 - 08:10 am

I see the koolaid drinkers

I see the koolaid drinkers are out in force on this one. It figures. Temporary Goverment jobs. Calls for a celebration. The dumb get dumber!

LancelotLink 01/14/10 - 08:15 am

gasping, Thank you for being

gasping, Thank you for being one of my barometers. I know when you are in total disagreement, then I am on the right track. This is about creating jobs and stimulating the economy. These short-term government funded jobs are like a self-licking ice cream cone. Good for a few minutes, but they don't last long. Take your Greenpeace mantra somewhere else and focus on the point of the story. I think Bubbles might buy you a cup of coffee so you each have one other person that might listen and agree with you.

GGpap 01/14/10 - 08:16 am

Lancelot, My military record

Lancelot, My military record is none of your business; but I will say that I served, and honorably so. I have no need to brag or spout off macho bull to appease your BS attitude. BUT, I will apologize for using the term, "treasonous." That was not called for. However, bitterly and blindly partisan would certainly fit. And, john, while I am accepting the boat docks with a bitter taste in my mouth, I believe that they had to be built by Americans (the better for us); would you prefer that we built them in Iraq? GGpap

gaspringwater 01/14/10 - 08:19 am

Injecting ANY money into the

Injecting ANY money into the CSRA’s economy is GOOD NEWS. I know the folks at the mall are glad!

LancelotLink 01/14/10 - 08:21 am

The Iraqis we helped weren't

The Iraqis we helped weren't much better off than the Haitians, think about it. Apology not accepted by the way, your posting history causes it to ring very hollow and empty.

Ayetidiosi 01/14/10 - 08:27 am

"Change We Can Believe In"...

"Change We Can Believe In"... the stimulus package has NOTHING to do at all with IRAQ. The first line the disciples of Bo use is how Bush did it 1st, or Bush created it. Yet "he did it too" is an acceptable excuse? Either way you slice it, Obama is a liar or a failure. Either he lied about desiring "Change We Can Believe In" or he has failed to achieve it. "Accept what is for now!!Later will take care of itself!" is a poor motto for anyone who wishes to live a long and healthy life.

gaspringwater 01/14/10 - 08:32 am

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