Tennessee: Leaders work on federal stimulus fund

CLEVELAND, Tenn. — If President-elect Barack Obama’s Main Street infrastructure project becomes a reality, Cleveland has a $61 million list of projects city officials hope will get some attention.

Other local leaders in Southeast Tennessee weren’t as far along as Cleveland with lists of “shovel-ready” projects, but some said they are scrambling to assemble lists.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors in December issued guidelines on what to ask for and how.

“The projects do not include feasibility or other studies or surveys that would be done in anticipation of, or in preparation for, an infrastructure project. We want to focus on the projects that produce the actual infrastructure development and improvement,” according to the U.S. Conference of Mayors guidelines.

Cleveland is one of only a few Tennessee cities that belong to the conference.

“They want realistic projects,” Mayor Tom Rowland said. “These are projects that can start immediately.”

Mr. Rowland is scheduled to give his annual state of the city report Thursday at the Cleveland Kiwanis Club.

Other city officials in recent weeks also have talked about the expected federal stimulus, including members of the Cleveland Municipal Airport Authority and the Cleveland City Council.

“We need to be ready to get in line,” airport authority Chairwoman Lynn DeVault said.

In a December radio address, Mr. Obama said his economic stimulus plan includes “the single largest new investment in our national infrastructure since the creation of the federal highway system in the 1950s.” States will be expected to act quickly on infrastructure projects, he said.

Cleveland’s infrastructure needs list was forwarded to the U.S. Conference of Mayors in mid-December.

“A lot of places seem to be putting in pork barrel stuff,” Mr. Rowland said. “This is not pork.”

McMinn County Mayor John Gentry said representatives from the National Association of County Executives recently met with the Obama transition team and were told projects that can begin almost immediately will top the list.

“We have met with utilities in the county and (agencies with) other possible projects to make them aware of this program,” Mr. Gentry said.

“The Mount Verd project is a perfect example of what they are seeking, and that could be an answer to prayer,” Mr. Gentry said. McMinn County and Athens want to extend a sewer line in that area to serve an industrial park.

Mr. Gentry said other projects may include energy efficiency programs for schools and funds for the highway department, which has been hit hard by high asphalt prices.

Polk County Executive Mike Stinnett said he’s been too busy with local funding problems to consider the stimulus. Polk County’s budget is tight and it isn’t planning any projects, he said.

But he said a state project to continue four-laning U.S. Highway 411 north of Benton could be considered.

Rhea County Mayor Billy Ray Patton said county officials expect to start working on a list very soon, and Meigs County Mayor Ken Jones said he is looking for possible projects, especially new water lines.

Mr. Gentry said word from the transition team meeting indicated federal funding could be available by early spring.