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Haskell, Shannon Hills see stimulus needs |
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Friday, 13 February 2009 |
Smaller cities in Saline County aren’t counting on receiving a substantial amount of funds from President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan that expected to survive the U.S. House today, but they are hopeful they might receive help with infrastructure needs.
Haskell Mayor Jeff Arey said believes that some of the smaller cities around the nation “get shoved to the back,” but his wish list would include infrastructure issues such as roads and flood protection. The cost, Arey believes, would be about $1 million.
“I would hope that Haskell would get some help, but it’s a long shot at best,” Arey said. “I think state officials and Congressmen will look for large projects, but that is obviously because in larger areas, you would be able to help more people”
Shannon Hills Mayor Larance Davis is hoping the trickle-down effect could take place under the proposed stimulus plan.
“It would be nice if [President Obama] would allocate a certain amount of money to each county based on population, and then the county judge could allocate to cities in the county,” Davis said.
Davis’ wishes were closely tied to Arey’s, as he was looking for improvements to roads and other infrastructure needs.
“One part that is really expensive are pump stations, which would cost about $200,000,” Davis said. “It would certainly help. Homebuilding has slowed right now, and we have about six or seven homes still under construction.”
Arey said that although the money that could be received by Haskell would go toward city projects, most of what will be needed would be outsourced. The projects and the money to fund them “would really go into bidding and hiring,” he said.
Whatever happens, Davis is optimistic that both the local and national economies can be turned around.
“I wish [Obama] the best,” he said. “At least he is trying to do something. The economic cycle goes up and down, and we’re in a down pattern at the moment. All of this year will be shaky, but I believe 2010 will be better.”
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Razorbacks
