Portland – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron
Wyden applauded the announcement that $14.7 million in federal funds will be
heading to Oregon for rural transit improvements as part of the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The money, announced by the U.S. Department of
Transportation, will be used for preventive maintenance, new vehicles, bus
shelters, facility projects and other upgrades, according to the department.
Most of the money is heading to projects in rural Oregon.
Some of the projects include about $1 million for vehicles
and other equipment for the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, $450,000
to Josephine County for vehicles, equipment and facilities projects and
$216,000 to the city of Pendleton for vehicles, equipment and facilities
projects.
A full listing of the more than 35 projects throughout the
state can be found here –
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/recovery/OTC_ARRA_5311_Projects_Approved.pdf
“Recovery
funds are boosting Oregon’s local economies and transit operations,” Merkley
said. “From small businesses to major corporations, all of Oregon’s job
creators rely on effective transit. This funding strengthens our transportation
operations, creates jobs and gives Oregon companies one more tool in attracting
talented employees.”
“You can’t
have a first-class economy without first-class transportation,” Wyden said.
“This economic recovery money will create jobs and improve transportation
across Oregon, particularly in those rural areas that have been hardest hit by
the recession.”
The
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act invests billions in upgrading our
nation’s transportation infrastructure, promoting the development and
production of clean energy, and repairing public buildings to immediately
create or save jobs. The legislation cuts taxes for 95 percent of workers
and their families, including tax credits of $400 per worker or $800 per
family. Finally, a third component of the bill provides vital funding for
states to prevent state layoffs and ensure the continuation of important
health, education and housing services.
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