County Hosts Forum on Federal Economic Stimulus Funding

May 15, 2009

	Commissioner Koons offers opening comments. « Previous | Next »

BCC Chairman Jeff Koons welcomed representatives from area public service agencies on May 15 for a workshop on federal stimulus monies available from the American Recovery and Investment Act.

Invited speakers included PBC Housing and Community Development Director Ed Lowery and Human Services Director Claudia Tuck, Rick Hemming of the Workforce Alliance, Perry Borman with the Department of Children and Families, Health Department Assistant Director Dr. Alina Alonso, Michael Burke of the Palm Beach County School District, Tana Ebbole of the Children’s Services Council, and Daniel Gibson of the United Way of Palm Beach County.

Florida is expected to receive as much as $13.4 billion in federal stimulus funding over the next three years including tax cuts for individuals and businesses. A significant portion of the federal money is being applied for and distributed locally, Commissioner Koons said.

For example, Palm Beach County has allocated $27.18 million for shovel-ready transportation infrastructure projects and another $27 million in HUD neighborhood stabilization program funding. The latter includes $12.8 million for qualified individuals to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed/abandoned homes, $5 million for municipalities and nonprofit agencies to purchase and rent or resell foreclosed houses, and $7.5 million for construction of a homeless assessment center. A second round of HUD neighborhood stabilization funding ($1.93 billion nationally) will soon be available, Lowery said, urging attendees to get their proposals filed.

About 80 municipal officials and public service agency representatives attended the economic stimulus forum. » Watch the video