Local Regional Stimulus List submitted by RMAP to Create Jobs

January 12th, 2009 at 03:44pm Bob Trojan

I had a chance last Friday to listen to Stephen Ernst, Executive Director of the Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning (RMAP) explain the recent submission that was made by this local organization; Belvidere Mayor Brereton is Chairman.  Here is the total plan on RAEDC’s web site that you can review…http://www.rockfordil.com/.

I learned several things:

1. All regions around the country are submitting these proposals so you can imagine what the summation of all these requests will add up to!

2.  The list involves 42 separate agengies involved in transportation, education, the environment, public buildings and facilities of regional significance.

3. The idea is to create JOBS so these projects are deemed “Shovel-ready”, that is, ready to start work within 120 days!

4. One unanswered question was how the funding will work.  Normally these type of programs require 20% of matching local funds; we’re hopeful that the feds will give these projects 100% and let’s get going.

If these projects get approved and the Rockford Road Program gets going again in the spring, we should see good job creation well before summer.

Good news for the local economy!

Entry Filed under: Economy