ADVISORY: Spending the Stimulus
FOR PLANNING PURPOSES
FRIDAY, MARCH 6th, 2009
Report Release On:
Monday, March 9th, 2009
TV Visuals at Example Project Locations
CONTACT:
For VA and DC Release: Stewart Schwartz
Coalition for Smarter Growth
703-599-6437(cell)
stewart@smartergrowth.net
For MD Release: Dru Schmidt-Perkins
1000 Friends of Maryland
410-258-8601 (cell)
dru@friendsofmd.org
***MEDIA ADVISORY***
Coalition for Smarter Growth, 1000 Friends of Maryland Partner with Smart Growth America
to Release Report:
Spending the Stimulus
New Report Reveals 20 Ways to Create More Jobs Quickly & Increase our Transportation Choices
As Virginia, Maryland and DC’s state and local officials work with Governor Kaine, Governor O’Malley and Mayor Fenty to prepare lists of transportation projects to be funded under the stimulus, we join Smart Growth America in releasing a report showing the many ways stimulus money can be used to address sustainable, energy efficient transportation priorities and get the biggest bang for the buck.
In addition to transit and competitive funding for high speed rail, Virginia will receive $694 million, Maryland $431 million, and DC $123 million, in flexible funding for transportation spending under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by President Obama last month. While early news reports indicated that most of this money was designated for solely for highway building, this report makes clear that the states have wide latitude to invest in options that will create more jobs, faster, and will go further toward building the 21st century transportation system our region and states need to thrive in a global economy.
The report will offer a wealth of information to state and local officials on flexible use of the funding to repair existing infrastructure and build the new infrastructure that will support energy efficient smart growth communities. Examples of project priorities suggested by the Coalition’s partner groups – projects that will restore our economy in the short- and long-term – will be provided.
For an embargoed advance copy of this detailed report please contact Stewart Schwartz at 202-244-4408 ext 121, stewart@smartergrowth.net
or for Maryland, Dru Schmidt-Perkins at 410-258-8601 (cell), dru@friendsofmd.org
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