Home
Syndicate content

federal funding

Census to Generate 4,000 Part-time Jobs in Hampton Roads

It's time for the Census, which is good news for anyone looking for a part-time job. According to the Virginian Pilot, the 2010 Census will bring 4,000 part-time jobs to the Hampton Roads area.

This could be a great boost to the local economy, and good for any homeowners in the area looking for work.

"Taxpayers will spend $14 billion to survey themselves for the 2010 Census.

If that sounds like a bone head idea in tight times, blame the Founding Fathers. The Constitution requires a head count every 10 years to make sure political power is properly distributed. Revenue and representation are based on census data.

The gear-up for 2010 started several years ago at the U.S. Census Bureau. Forms won't be mailed out until March, but a $340 million publicity push began Monday with a cross-country promotional tour launched from New York's Times Square. Census offices are opening this week in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach - part of a 500-office network that will handle the 1.2 million workers needed to conduct the count.

Locally, about 4,000 people will be hired for temporary, part-time work this spring. Jobs will last two to seven weeks. Pay starts at $13 an hour.

Technically, the new hires will be known as enumerators, but census takers will do. Their work begins after April 1, the deadline for returning the 10-question form; responses cannot be filed online. Census takers knock on doors to prod those people who didn't comply.

By the way, the census is mandatory on both ends. Just as the government is required to conduct it, every resident is required to respond. Those who don't can be fined up to $100. Those who knowingly give false answers can be fined up to $500."

Read the full story.

Posted on Friday, January 8, 2010 - 12:14am

Federal Stimulus Money to Assist Peninsula Families Struggling to Avoid Homelessness

Some localities in the Peninsula received federal stimulus money to help prevent homelessness for some area residents who are struggling, according to the Daily Press.

The funds will be used for rental assistance, utility and security deposit payments and credit repair.

This is good news for all residents in these areas because preventing homelessness is cheaper than correcting it. Also, preventing homelessness can protect property values.

"As part of the federal stimulus package, nearly $1.4 million has come to the Peninsula to help stem the tide of growing homelessness associated with the lingering economic recession.

Government and nonprofit agencies in Hampton, Newport News, York, Poquoson, James City County and Williamsburg recently began disbursing funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing program.

The six localities evenly split about $727,000. A secondary pot of money totaling more than $659,000 was allotted specifically for Newport News, said Joy Cipriano, director of property and resource development for the Hampton/Newport News Community Services Board, the agency administering the grant funds.

The money is specifically earmarked for such things as rental assistance, utility and security deposit payments, and credit repair. It is not targeted for the chronically homeless, Cipriano said.

'The money is for helping people that were otherwise stable and making it. But, due to loss of a job or reduction of income, can't meet rent payments,' Cipriano said. 'It's cheaper to prevent homelessness than correct it once it happens.'

Cipriano said the federal government has instituted strict guidelines about how the money can be used and is requiring stringent reporting to make sure the funds are spent appropriately."

Read the full story.

Posted on Monday, January 4, 2010 - 1:49pm

Hampton Officials Say Federal Stimulus Doesn't Offset State Cuts

The Daily Press recently reviewed Hampton's budget cuts and federal stimulus funds.

Although the city received funds to help with construction, the city is struggling to fund operations.

"The city's bottom line took a hit from state budget cuts this year while getting a boost from federal stimulus funds.

So was the result a net gain, a loss or did Hampton break even?

The math isn't that simple, city and school officials say. State cuts affected the city's regular operating budget while the gains from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act were primarily for one-time building projects.

On the plus side, the city of Hampton has received, or will receive, $9.73 million so far in federal stimulus funds for a summer youth employment program, road projects, green initiatives and public safety. On the down side, the city had to deal with $1.15 million in state budget cuts for this fiscal year.

That doesn't really mean Hampton has a net gain of more than $8 million this year.

'Any stimulus money we get, we would use for construction, and most of it is because the mindset behind that is that you're building something that creates jobs,' said Hampton Budget Director Chris Snead. 'Stimulus money, we aren't getting any for operating expenses.'

It's not just that the city is choosing to spend stimulus money on construction. The money has been earmarked for certain purposes.

For example, Hampton is getting $3.6 million to grind down and resurface Mercury Boulevard from the Hampton- Newport News line to Big Bethel Road and from Coliseum Drive to North King Street. Another $3.58 million will pay to buy land and acquire easements and rights of way to extend Commander Shepard Boulevard from North Campus Parkway to Big Bethel Road. Hampton also received $1.38 million specifically to 'reduce the city's total energy use and support ... energy efficiency and conservation components of the city's 'Go Green' objectives,' according to city documents."

Read the full story.

Posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 10:02pm

VA Beach Receives Stimulus Money

Virginia Beach will use $5 million in bonds, which will have to be paid back, to help revitalize 19th street between the Convention Center and the Oceanfront, according to The Virginian-Pilot.

The program that helps fund the bonds attempts to help communities create jobs and develop infrastructure. Hopefully, the money will do just that - and, bring in new residents or businesses that can help current homeowners and residents pay back the bonds.

"The city's plan to spruce up 19th Street between the Convention Center and the Oceanfront is getting a boost from the federal stimulus package.

Virginia Beach will use $5 million in bonds, allocated to the city by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to buy land for sidewalks.

Plans to update 19th Street into a pedestrian-friendly corridor with mass transit had been on hold while the city determines the future of a Convention Center hotel, the former Dome site and light rail.

But since bond money was available, this project seemed like a good use, said Virginia Beach Deputy City Manager Steve Herbert.

'It's kick off money,' Herbert said. 'It's an opportunity to take advantage of that money.'

The money, which the city will have to pay back, is part of the Build America Bonds program aimed at helping communities to create jobs and develop critical infrastructure."

Read the full story.

Posted on Monday, November 9, 2009 - 10:44pm

EPA Sets Tough Interim Rule For Bay Cleanup

EPA officials are cracking down on sates that do not help to reduce Bay pollution, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

With a goal to reduce pollution by 60%, the EPA will impose severe punishments on the six states that contribute the Bay. These punishments could include withholding federal grants.

This is an important issue for Virginia homeowners because the risk of losing federal grants could impair progress in the Commonwealth.

"States that contribute pollution to the Chesapeake Bay must have controls in place by 2017 to reduce that pollution 60 percent, federal officials say.

That is one of a list of cleanup requirements the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sent the six bay states, including Virginia, in a letter yesterday.

The letter 'is about establishing a new era of federal leadership for the Chesapeake Bay, one that is marked by new accountability,' said J. Charles Fox, President Barack Obama's senior adviser to the EPA for bay issues.

The bay states agreed in May to put controls in place by 2025 that will clean the bay. Yesterday's letter sets a tough interim requirement.
The letter also makes clear that the bay states must not only reduce nitrogen and other pollutants below various limits but keep them there as populations grow.

The requirement could mean, for example, that if a new sewage-treatment plant is built, pollution from the plant must be offset by pollution cuts elsewhere, perhaps by putting grassy buffers along streams.

The letter did not spell out the specifics of that program. The fine detail on how Virginia and other states must reduce pollution will come in a plan to be developed by late 2011."

Read the full story.

Posted on Thursday, November 5, 2009 - 11:35pm

Stimulus Funds to Fund Pittsylvania Bridge Improvements

Money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will be used to replace or repair three bridges in Pittsylvania County, according to GoDanRiver.com.

These are necessary safety improvements to keep these bridges open. Many rural areas in the Commonwealth have struggled with getting funding to repair old bridges, so this is very good news for all Pittsylvania residents.The contracts will also provide some new jobs and economic development in the area.

"Three bridges in Pittsylvania County are among 119 structurally-deficient bridges to be replaced or repaired with money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Three parts of the U.S. 29 bypass in Pittsylvania County will be repaired or replaced — U.S. 29 Business, Va. 685 and Davis Road.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced the funding with contracts totaling $50.7 million. The money is part of $694.5 million in highway funding to the commonwealth from the ARRA.

'…These bridge replacements and repairs will address a significant safety issue in our transportation network and put Virginians back to work,' Kaine said in a statement Thursday. 'While Virginia is consistently named one of the best states for business, we must maintain our infrastructure to stay economi-cally competitive and keep our citizens safe.'

The contracts were awarded by the Commonwealth Transportation Board at its October meeting.

Virginia has focused its ARRA transportation funding on strategic investments that will create jobs, address congestion and infrastructure needs, and enhance economic development and intermodal solutions."

Read the full story.

Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 9:56am

Expanded Housing Assistance Program Will Help Some Military Families

Assistance is now available for military families forced to sell their home at a loss, according to the Daily Press.

Although it is a program created only for service members and their families, it can benefit many neighborhoods as these families will be able to afford a new home.

"Military families forced to sell homes at a loss could benefit from an initiative that the Defense Department unveiled earlier this year that can finally begin processing applications.

'I'm just happy we've finally gotten to the point where we can help homeowners,' said Joseph K. Sikes, director of Housing and Competitive Sourcing in the Defense Department. 'It's been a more tortuous process than expected.'

For years, the Homeowner's Assistance Program has helped service members when base closings and realignments depressed property values. Earlier this year, it was temporarily expanded with $555 million of economic stimulus money.

The expansion partially reflects the post- 9/11 challenges that service members and their families now face. It would partially reimburse military personnel, survivors and federal civilian employees for losses from the sale of a primary residence in the following order of priority:

•Homeowners wounded, injured or made ill in the line of duty while deployed since Sept. 11, 2001, and relocating to further their medical treatment.

•Surviving spouse homeowners relocating within two years after the death of their spouse.

•Homeowners affected by the 2005 BRAC round.

Permanent change-of-station for orders received from Feb. 1, 2006, through Dec. 31, 2009. The orders must specify a report-no-later-than date of Feb. 28, 2010, to an area beyond a 50-mile radius of the homeowner's former duty station."

Read the full story.

Posted on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - 2:19pm

Prince William Traffic Projects Will Make Commuting Easier

Three transportation projects in Prince William County will be funded by newly appropriated federal stimulus and state funds, according to the Washington Post.

Each of the projects will help to improve traffic conditions in hight congested areas. Homeowners will appreciate the increased ease of getting around, but also, can appreciate the increased property values their homes will experience due to the completion of these projects.

"The Prince William Board of County Supervisors appropriated about $14 million in federal stimulus and state funds Tuesday for transportation projects.

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the county received $9.1 million to widen Prince William Parkway between Hoadly and Old Bridge roads to six lanes. The project will include right-turn lanes when possible.

Prince William Transportation Director Thomas J. Blaser said the entire project, including engineering and right-of-way costs, totals nearly $12 million, with the rest of the funding mainly coming from proffers.

The section to be widened runs by the county government center, although Blaser said it is too soon to tell how the construction will affect traffic.

The design work is complete, Blaser said, and construction crews should break ground in February. Under the stimulus guidelines, the county has until February 2012 to complete construction.

The board also appropriated more than $2.7 million in funding from the commonwealth Tuesday to improve and widen Fuller Heights Road. The proposed project will widen Fuller Heights to four lanes near Marine Corps Base Quantico and realign Fuller Heights and Fuller roads. Fuller Heights traffic backs up at the base entrance and spills onto Route 1, county officials said.

Blaser said the state funding will cover the cost of the project. The design phase will begin immediately, and construction should begin within a year.

A third project the board appropriated money for Tuesday is to be conducted on Purcell Road. The board appropriated roughly $2.2 million in funds from the Regional Surface Transportation Program, which will be added to the roughly $2.6 million already budgeted to complete the project.

The funding will be used to realign Purcell Road and correct a sharp bend. Purcell will also be widened to four lanes between Route 234 and Vista Brooke Drive."

Read the full story.

Posted on Thursday, October 8, 2009 - 3:16pm

VA to Receive Federal Funds for Energy Projects

Federal funding for energy projects could bring thousands of jobs to Virginia, according to the Lynchburg News Advance.

Virginia will receive over $16 million in federal stimulus funds that will help fund projects for producing clean power from wind and nuclear sources. If turbines were built off Virginia’s coast, 10,000 to 20,000 jobs could be created and they would stay in Virginia.

Homeowners can get excited about this news because it means more jobs for Virginia, which will increase home values by making the area more marketable. But, its also good news because these projects will help produce sustainable, affordable energy for residents.

"Virginia has excellent potential for producing clean power from wind and nuclear sources, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Thursday as he announced the state would receive $16.1 million in block grants of federal stimulus funds.

The funding total places Virginia third among the 11 states so far to receive stimulus funds under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.

Virginia already has received $94 million to weatherize homes and $70 million for other energy-related programs through the stimulus package.

Chu sounded optimistic about Virginia’s energy stance during a conference call to announce the block grants.

'Virginia is a perfect example of having real economic opportunities in clean energy,' Chu said. 'The University of Virginia and Virginia Tech are at the forefront of clean-energy engineering,' he said.

In addition, 'Virginia is a national leader in nuclear power,' and one-third of the state’s electrical energy comes from nuclear power, he said.

'We are eager to restart the nuclear program in the United States and we look forward to Virginia being part of that,' Chu said.

'We are in the final negotiations' for the federal government’s $18.5 billion in loan guarantees for the first utility companies that build new reactors, Chu said, 'and I would personally like to see that loan guarantee program extended or renewed with additional money.'

The funds would help pay for new reactors such as one that Dominion Power hopes to build at North Anna. Areva in Lynchburg also is designing a reactor for a Maryland utility company, based on plants now under construction in Finland and France."

Read the full story.

Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 1:20pm

VA School Construction Projects Share $71.6M in Bonds

More than $71 million in federal bonds are going to eigh projects in the state to help with school construction, according to WTKR.

This is good news for all area homeowners, even those who don't have children in these schools that will get the assistance. Improvements to schools help to make neighborhoods more marketable to new families.

"Eight projects in Virginia are sharing more than $71 million in federal bonds for school construction.

The no-interest bonds were established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. They are available to localities for K-12 school construction, renovation and land acquisition for schools.

Gov. Tim Kaine said Thursday that the bonds are part of about $191 million authorized for Virginia through the Qualified School Construction Bonds program in 2009.

The projects receiving the bonds are in Petersburg, Portsmouth, Lynchburg, Lexington, and Richmond, Fluvanna and Montgomery counties.

Allocation of the funds were made at Kaine's discretion. Later this fall, he will announce the use of the rest of the 2009 funds. Virginia expects to receive an additional $191 million from the program in 2010."

Read orginal article.

Posted on Friday, September 11, 2009 - 5:13pm