City could benefit from stimulus package

By By Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
As national leaders debate a record stimulus package designed to boost the flagging economy, Hartselle is putting together a list of projects they’d like to see finished if some of the federal dollars make their way here.
Topping the list? A $40 million new high school. Also included are sewer, road and communication projects bringing the total request to some $52.42 million.
Hartselle is following a request by the Alabama League of Municipalities for each city to put together a list of infrastructure projects that would meet the criteria under President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus package. Obama’s plan would pump as much as $819 billion into the economy for capital projects designed to provide jobs and cash flow. Included in the package is $41 billion for schools.
Obama’s plan passed the House last week and now awaits Senate approval. If that happens, Hartselle will be ready to act if the money starts flowing.
At first, Hartselle’s list followed instructions and included only “shovel-ready,” projects, or those where work could begin almost immediately. The school project was added later after the city saw other lists including more long-range projects.
In addition to the new high school, Hartselle’s current wish list includes:
In its requests, the city includes detailed information about each project, including how many jobs the work would create. For example, projects such as flood zone mitigation and Longhorn Pass work are estimated to create 60 temporary jobs, while installation of a wireless network to be used by residents and emergency services would create 12 temporary jobs.
Not included in the list is the Highway 36 widening project. Department of Development Director Jeff Johnson said the right of way negotiations for that project and continuing and that timeframe prevented it from being added.