Virginia to receive $111 million in latest round of stimulus funds
Virginia will receive $60 million for energy-efficiency improvements and $51 million to aid public housing under the latest releases of federal stimulus funds.
The energy-efficiency money is in addition to $164 million in weatherization and energy funding for Virginia that President Barack Obama's administration announced earlier this month.
Yesterday the administration announced plans to invest $3.2 billion in energy-efficiency and conservation projects across the U.S., including $60.7 million in Virginia.
The money, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is to be used in projects that will reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions and improve energy efficiency.
Richmond-area localities benefiting from these funds are:
- Richmond, $2.1 million;
- Chesterfield County, $2.74 million;
- Henrico County, $2.79 million; and
- Hanover County, $409,400.
Virginia Sens. Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner, both Democrats, also announced yesterday that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has released nearly $51 million in stimulus money for improvements to public housing in the state.
Twenty-nine local housing authorities in Virginia will receive the economic-recovery money, including:
- Hopewell Redevelopment and Housing Authority, $996,557; and
- Petersburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority, $1.1 million.
As announced earlier this month, the funding includes $10.8 million for the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, which will use the money to accelerate planned work.
This year's projects include replacing the windows at Creighton, Whitcomb and Mosby courts with more energy-efficient ones. Also this year, the authority will repair termite damage and replace siding at the Fulton apartments, install an elevator at the 1202 Decatur St. apartments, upgrade heating units at the 700 S. Lombardy St. apartments, replace boilers in Gilpin Court and replace siding at the Afton Avenue apartments.
"This $51 million investment will help to ensure that urban and rural areas have the resources necessary to properly maintain Virginia's public housing facilities," Webb said in a statement. "Funds for these improvements, requested by local agencies, will create jobs, allow communities to complete long-standing projects and reduce monthly energy bills for residents."
Local officials yesterday said the money will help pay for key projects and will contribute to much-needed improvements to public housing communities.
"This is outstanding," said Martin Blaney, director of Hopewell Redevelopment and Housing Authority. "It is going to put money in the local economy and shore up our public housing and infrastructure needs. It is going to put people to work."
Hopewell will use the money in quality-of-life projects at its seven public housing communities, including adding exterior lighting, installing high-efficiency toilets, and repairing sidewalks and parking lots.
"We are very pleased to get these dollars. We think the residents of public housing are going to be pleased," said Julian Marsh, executive director of the Petersburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
Marsh noted the money will be used in renovations to the city's three public housing communities and some energy-saving projects.
Contact Luz Lazo at (804) 649-6058 or
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Reader Reactions
You might be right Bob and I wonder if the same policies presented by McCain/Palin that we had for 8 years would make it better. Nothing is free and we will have to pay but for who? The Wall Steet and Banks lived large for 8 years as we saw even our Tillions of dollars that went to Iraq wont be paid back. We watched how our Economy went from a surplus in 2000 to a Recession 2008. I read the 14 page Republican budget called the Road to Recovery as it stated we should continue the tax cuts to the rich and withdraw the Stimulus. We should cut programs and let the American people down size their life styles. Now I can understand your point of keeping these policies in place so AIG, Goldman Sachs and others continue their way of doing business. Yes let people lose their jobs and homes. As we witnessed those who lost their life savings and penisons. As long as things continue the way they have been for the pass 8 years we can all hope and pray something will change. In Nov. the unemployment was one number it gets larger everyday we stay the same course. I listen of John McCain say we’re going in the right direction but I guess he’s wrong to. Doing the same thing over and over again expecting change is call inanity. We’ve seen the Republican plan hasn’t worked let’s give the Obama Administration a chance with their changed plan.
What is up with Hanover only receiving not even a half of a million and the surrounding counties All receiving over 2 Million. Go figure!!!!!
I’m glad the people of Virginia are getting the help because if Congressman Cantor had it his way you’d get nothing. Thank God for a Govenor who works for the interest of the people. Now to Republican or Democrat well it’s Americans first as the President said. I read the Republican Budget presented with no numbers just the same Bush Policies of give to the Rich and Wall Street and hope Americans get a little. We saw what happen in 8 years not all Republicans were for this corrupt plan as we see some speak out today. We win together or lose together. By April 15th we all have to send in our taxes as it’s not one Party it’s Americans. When we had the last recession all Americans had to pay for the recovery. Virginians like the rest of the States need help right now. We have noticed that many Law Makers have gotten big donations from those on Wall Street that robbed us and those who paid for Law Makers votes. The truth always hurts but we have to face the facts and work together. Our Founding Fathers worked hurt even when those agreed and disagreed but looked at what was best for America first. I know Republicans don’t like the idea of a Democrat President and yes his race too. But put aside your disappointment to losing Bush/Cheney and McCain/Palin and let’s work together to recover our Economy. After that all Americans can look to who they want as President and Vice President. Who know Congressman Cantor is interesting in being President as he shows his leadership qualities during these hard times or Rush Limbaugh might toss his hat in the ring or even Sarah Palin might ask for your vote as President. At lease by 2012 an elected President wont have this mess to deal with.
Leonard - as a matter of fact I am not being sarcastic. It is sensible independent voters who the dems need to win elections, not minorities or youngsters who, according to you, do not care about issues like the economy. The dems have a way of self destructing, and we are seeing it now in many, many regards. Watch and see!
Woodford, I hope that your comment was sarcasm because the Republican party in in a shambles. They were destroyed at the polls and young people love Barack Obama. You must be over 40 and still dreaming of the good old Reagan days. There is no hope for a Republican in the White House until 2016. Disagree with the stimulus or not, Obama is very popular with minorities and young people will not be tarnished in their eyes by the economy.
Now is the time for all good people to join the Republican party. If you want to get into politics do so now because you will likely win against any Democrat in the near future.
Stories are already coming out how much restrictions are placed on each dollar taken.
These agencies will literally have to revamp the entire way business was conducted in the past in order to be able to spend this money.
If a state agency accepts $25M, it will need to spend an additional $20-25M to meet the requirements put in place from that package that no one bothered to read.
The best thing for Virginia and the taxpayers is to send EVERY single dollar back.
Or we will be paying for those “free” dollars for decades to come.
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