Press Release - $21.5M For Communities Announced
OFFICE OF GOVERNOR BILL RITTER, JR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17, 2008
CONTACTS:
Linda Rice, 303.866.6249, 303.358.6035 (cell)
Megan Castle, 303.866.6386, 303.319.8513 (cell)
GOV. RITTER ANNOUNCES $21.5 MILLION FOR COMMUNITIES
Gov. Bill Ritter and Department of Local Affairs Executive Director Susan Kirkpatrick today announced $21.5 million in grants to 35 communities for construction, infrastructure and other projects that will help create jobs and strengthen local economies.
"Communities all across Colorado are struggling to cope with this global economic crisis," Gov. Ritter said. "These grants will allow communities to make key investments in projects that will put people to work and strengthen local economies in the short-term, while making communities more livable and economically healthy in the long-term."
Funding for the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Grants are derived from severance tax and federal mineral lease revenues. The Department of Local Affairs received 44 applications seeking $54 million in grant funding, an unprecedented level of competition. The grants will allow communities to leverage more than $145 million in public-private and local matching funds, to bring a combined $166.5 million in construction activity to Colorado.
"Communities that are impacted by energy and mineral development throughout the state will benefit from these grant awards," DOLA Executive Director Kirkpatrick said. "The competition for the severance and federal mineral lease grant dollars was stiff. Projects that meet basic needs like water, sewer, drainage, and local roads received highest priority. Projects that demonstrated a strong energy conservation or renewable energy component also received priority."
This year's grant process was revamped and refined to make it more transparent, accountable and strategic, Gov. Ritter and Executive Director Kirkpatrick said. DOLA worked with legislators, local officials and the energy industry to enhance the effectiveness of the application, review and award process. The grant program was created by the legislature in 1977.
The 35 grant projects:
| 1) Bent County Courthouse Restoration | $390,000 |
| 2) Brighton County Road 6 and County Road 4 Expansion | $2,000,000 |
| 3) Carbondale Community Nonprofit Center | $750,000 |
| 4) Chaffee County Community Services Complex | $1,700,000 |
| 5) Colorado NCC Career & Technical Building | $1,000,000 |
| 6) Craig Equipment & Vehicle Replacement | $200,000 |
| 7) Delta County FPD #3 4x4 Fire Truck | $90,000 |
| 8) Durango Main Avenue Sidewalk Improvement | $500,000 |
| 9) Firestone Intersection Improvements Phase II | $1,000,000 |
| 10) Fraser Valley Metro Rec. District Rec. Center | $350,000 |
| 11) Fruita Wastewater Treatment Plant Collection Line | $1,000,000 |
| 12) Greater Brighton FPD Fire Engine & Software | $255,000 |
| 13) Hudson Wastewater Treatment Plant | $950,000 |
| 14) Kremmling MHD Granby Medical Campus | $1,000,000 |
| 15) La Plata County Energy Efficiency Upgrades | $700,000 |
| 16) Meeker Sanitation District Main Replacement Phase IV | $700,000 |
| 17) Mesa County Public Works Facility | $1,000,000 |
| 18) Mesa State College Renewable Energy Project | $300,000 |
| 19) Moffat County Equipment Replacement | $250,000 |
| 20) Moffat County RE 1 Auditorium & Gymnasium | $100,000 |
| 21) Montrose County RE 1-J Support Services Bldg. Ph. II | $432,774 |
| 22) New Castle Wastewater Treatment Plant | $1,000,000 |
| 23) Northeastern Jr. College Dorm Improvements | $100,000 |
| 24) Palisade Civic Center Renovations Phase I | $750,000 |
| 25) Poncha Springs Water System Upgrades | $360,000 |
| 26) Poudre Canyon FPD Firehouse Complex | $400,000 |
| 27) Pueblo Fire Station No. 4 | $200,000 |
| 28) Rangeview Library District -- Brighton Cultural Center | $300,000 |
| 29) Steamboat Springs Charter School & Community Center | $500,000 |
| 30) Sterling Emergency Communications Center | $239,000 |
| 31) Telluride Main Street Water Main | $615,000 |
| 32) Timnath Septic System Improvements -- Loan | $900,000 |
| 33) Weld County Community Corrections Facility | $400,000 |
| 34) Weld County RE 3-J Facility Improvements/Repair | $225,000 |
| 35) Windsor Town Hall Tornado Repairs | $859,402 |
| Total | $21,516,176 |