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Posted on March 10, 2009 6:38 AM
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CMAP Economic Recovery Update (3/10/09)

CMAP Economic Recovery Update, 3/10/09


Randy Blankenhorn

Randy Blankenhorn
 
IDOT recovery web.  The Illinois Department of Transportation has launched a recovery-related website at http://www.dot.il.gov/stimulus/stip.html.  It includes links to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) projects that have been approved or are being considered for approval by the implementing agencies that receive federal funds through IDOT.

Oberstar memos.  U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman James Oberstar has issued a pair of memos -- one directed to Metropolitan Planning Organizations and the other to transit agencies -- stating the committee's intention to closely oversee ARRA-funded projects.  The committee is requesting certification and transparency and accountability information by April 4, 2009.  The memos indicate that a series of oversight hearings will begin in April. 

ARRA projects.  As you may know, the CMAP Transportation Committee met on March 6, 2009, and approved the proposed ARRA-related Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) amendments.  See a map and a list, with details of the funding, location and work types of these projects.  Contrary to some reports, the committee's approval was final and requires no further action by the CMAP Board or MPO Policy Committee.

The list includes road projects that will receive ARRA funds through IDOT and transit projects that will receive ARRA funds through the RTA service boards.  The 120-day "use it or lose it" clock on those road projects started ticking on March 3, when the Federal Highway Administration appropriated its funds.  For transit projects, a 180-day period began on March 5, the date of the Federal Transit Administration's appropriation.

A critical distinction is that ARRA funds that will be programmed locally by the Councils of Mayors do not have to be obligated for one year from the federal appropriation date.  When those projects are proposed in coming months, they will be considered for inclusion in the TIP, with an appropriate public comment period.

ARRA grants guidebook.  The Speaker of the House has posted a helpful guide for congressmen to share with ARRA grant seekers and recipients.

More recovery websites.  There's a new recovery website from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.  Also, the Stimulus Watch site has a list of project links by state.


Issue areas analysis.  The following updates have been prepared and collected by CMAP staff.

Telecommunications.  The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Rural Development, and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is hosting a public meeting today to present the broadband initiatives funded by the ARRA. The Public Meeting will be streamed over the Web and made available on NTIA's web site.

Weekly updates showing obligated funds are now available on the U.S. Department of Commerce recovery website.

Housing.  On March 4, details were released regarding the Making Home Affordable Program, the $75 billion foreclosure prevention program intended to help homeowners current or delinquent on their mortgages modify or refinance their loans to affordable terms. Details of the program have been posted at http://www.financialstability.gov.

Local governments can determine their eligibility for housing-related programs by looking at this matrix of ARRA-sponsored programs.

Due to the growing prevalence of foreclosure scams, CMAP highly encourages municipalities and our partner organizations to refer residents at risk of foreclosure, to contact a HUD certified counseling agency only. See http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/fc/ for a list of HUD agencies in Illinois.

Workforce development.  The Department of Labor has begun posting a weekly update on its recovery page at http://www.dol.gov/recovery/. The report shows that none of the appropriations for worker training has been obligated. The department has released the funding provided to the states, with the allotment for Illinois as follows:

WIA Youth Activities ($62,203,400)
WIA Adult Activities ($25,790,612)
WIA Dislocated Workers Activities ($68,533,653)
Employment Service (Wagner-Peyser) ($16,567,244)
Total:  $173,094,909

The department also released a guidance letter with more details, including the procedures to ensure a quick and effective expenditure of funds. Grant documents will be issued so funds can be awarded to states as soon as possible but no later than March 19. The process for awarding competitive grants for green jobs training is forthcoming.

Energy.  The DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has posted more details about their Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants, see: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/wip/block_grants.cfm. Illinois is expected to receive approximately $134 million from this program.

The EPA's ENERGY STAR team is hosting a webcast, "Make the Most of Your Energy Efficiency Stimulus Funding: Plan, Monitor, and Report Results with ENERGY STAR Tools" this Thursday, March 12.  Although registration is closed, there is a repeat session on Wednesday, March 18 at 1:00 EST.  Visit https://energystar.webex.com/energystar to register, or click here for their webcast archives.

The EPA also hosted a webcast last week, "Using EPA Resources to Maximize Clean Energy in Economic Recovery Spending." If you were unable to listen in, all slides and a recording of the webcast will soon be posted on EPA's State and Local Clean Energy website.

HUD and DOE have announced a partnership to coordinate the federal weatherization assistance program. 

Transportation.  CMAP staff have posted a new summary that includes deadlines associated with ARRA funding from FHWA and  FTA.  The vast majority of projects programmed to date in CMAP's TIP are for maintenance of the region's existing transportation systems.  The transportation funds available from the Recovery Act are minimal in comparison to the region's needs.  Efficient reporting mechanisms on the Recovery Act expenditures are essential and will be addressed at upcoming CMAP meetings.  The region is expected to seek substantial funding for high-speed rail and for CREATE through the ARRA.

News links. Among the related media coverage:
  • The Southtown Star quotes CMAP Board chairman Gerald Bennett, mayor of Palos Hills, in a story about the distribution of ARRA funds within Illinois.
  • The U.S. will keep a close eye on how Illinois and 15 other states spend their stimulus funds, according to Crain's Chicago Business.
  • The Associated Press quotes Senator Durbin and Governor Quinn regarding the prospects of ARRA-funded high-speed rail in Illinois.
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