Local
Loudoun to ask Congress for stimulus funds
By: David Sherfinski
Examiner Staff Writer
January 5, 2009
Loudoun County has prepared a list of ready-to-go projects in hopes of getting a piece of the federal economic stimulus package.
“While the board will have to make difficult decisions in order to balance the county’s budget, including possible employee layoffs and cuts to essential programs, we simply do not have the resources or the ability to provide the kind of economic stimulus needed at this time,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York wrote in a draft letter addressed to Sen. Jim Webb, dated Jan. 6.
York pointed out in the letter that the county has been decimated by foreclosures, with the home foreclosure rate in the county growing 800 percent from 2006 to 2007.
“It continues to grow as evidenced by the 126 percent increase in foreclosures since the first quarter of 2008,” he wrote.
The projects were split into two “ready-to-go” categories — those that could be built within 120 to 180 days of receiving federal funds, and those to be built within two years of receiving funds.
The short-term projects would require about $500 million, with school and transportation projects comprising the vast majority of the list. Almost $240 million would be used for transportation projects and about $220 million for school projects, including $70 million for the recently approved Woodgrove high school, which is expected to open in September 2010.
The letter, as well as the project lists, are to be voted on at the board’s business meeting Tuesday.
Loudoun is not the only local jurisdiction to ask for a piece of the stimulus pie. Prince William County in December unanimously approved requests for funding to widen sections along Route 1, Prince William County Parkway and Route 28.
Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission Director Al Harf said that with the Sept. 30 expiration of Congress’ 2004 reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Program — which provides funding for local transportation improvements, the county is hoping for transportation funding via another reauthorization of the program. The commission provides commuter bus services along the Interstate 95 and I-66 corridors in Prince William and Stafford counties.
“While the board will have to make difficult decisions in order to balance the county’s budget, including possible employee layoffs and cuts to essential programs, we simply do not have the resources or the ability to provide the kind of economic stimulus needed at this time,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York wrote in a draft letter addressed to Sen. Jim Webb, dated Jan. 6.
York pointed out in the letter that the county has been decimated by foreclosures, with the home foreclosure rate in the county growing 800 percent from 2006 to 2007.
“It continues to grow as evidenced by the 126 percent increase in foreclosures since the first quarter of 2008,” he wrote.
The projects were split into two “ready-to-go” categories — those that could be built within 120 to 180 days of receiving federal funds, and those to be built within two years of receiving funds.
The short-term projects would require about $500 million, with school and transportation projects comprising the vast majority of the list. Almost $240 million would be used for transportation projects and about $220 million for school projects, including $70 million for the recently approved Woodgrove high school, which is expected to open in September 2010.
The letter, as well as the project lists, are to be voted on at the board’s business meeting Tuesday.
Loudoun is not the only local jurisdiction to ask for a piece of the stimulus pie. Prince William County in December unanimously approved requests for funding to widen sections along Route 1, Prince William County Parkway and Route 28.
Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission Director Al Harf said that with the Sept. 30 expiration of Congress’ 2004 reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Program — which provides funding for local transportation improvements, the county is hoping for transportation funding via another reauthorization of the program. The commission provides commuter bus services along the Interstate 95 and I-66 corridors in Prince William and Stafford counties.
