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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives has given final approval to the Consolidated Appropriations bill which provides funding for almost all federal domestic programs for fiscal year 2008. The U.S. Senate is expected to approve the legislation later this week, before the President signs it into law. Listed below are the projects for the City of Flint and Genesee County which received funding at the request of Congressman Kildee.
“I am very pleased that Congress has approved my requests for these important infrastructure projects for the Fifth Congressional District,” said Kildee. “These federal funds will move our communities forward, and improve the quality of life for our citizens.”
Flint Mass Transit Authority (MTA): $2,626,400 to rehabilitate buses currently in use and to procure new diesel-electric hybrid buses. Federal funds would be used by the Flint MTA to help complete its program to rehabilitate 82 of its 92 vehicles, which nearly doubles the life of a bus at a cost that is half that of a new vehicle. The funds would also help purchase five 40-foot diesel-electric hybrid buses to replace buses purchased in 1983. The Flint MTA is working in partnership with Kettering University to develop and test new technology for large passenger vehicles, resulting in 30-40% increases in the conservation of fossil fuels.
North-East Relief Sewer Project: $1,054,064 for the Genesee County Drain Commission to be used to complete construction of 27 miles of sanitary sewer pipe and two pump stations that will collect local sanitary sewage and transport it to a compliant treatment facility. When completed, this sewer pipe would eliminate direct discharge of sewage into surface waters, lakes or streams.
City of Flint Police Department: $799,000 in federal aid to help purchase computers and cameras for 100 police vehicles. The funds would help to introduce new technologies into police vehicles that would decrease police response time and ultimately increase criminal prosecutions. In-car computers can allow officers to access records and retrieve data from remote locations. Cameras would record activities of both officers and the public to a digital source. Police cameras have been used in court proceedings to identify suspects and to capture details and events that officers may not recognize in tense situations.
Corunna Road Bridge at Interstate 75 (I-75): $490,000 in federal funds for Michigan Department of Transportation to help replace the bridge while increasing the width for pedestrian traffic and making aesthetic improvements. This would be the first time that the project would receive federal funding.
The Hurley Medical Center: $306,696 in federal funds to implement the second phase of Clinical Information Computer System Replacement Project, a $22 million modernization effort. Initiated in 2005, the project would allow medical professionals working from remote locations greater access to information such as test results and clinical decisions. The program would also help to reduce incidence of inappropriate or duplicate orders.
Hamilton Community Health Network: $306,696 in federal funds to be used to upgrade computer and communications systems that are currently outdated. New software would enable clinics to better manage scheduling and billing, offering more efficient patient care.
Genesee County Land Bank: $147,000 to renovate the Durant Hotel into a mixed use development with residential and commercial space.
In addition to the federal funds mentioned above, the Department of Defense appropriations bill for fiscal year 2008, which was approved last month, also provided $3.4 million for two Flint projects requested by Congressman Kildee.
Mott Community College’s Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Strategies: $2.4 million to create a demonstration site that features new developments in advanced manufacturing methods and materials for the production of innovative products required by the military.
Kettering University: $1 million to continue research on the Chemical Warfare Agent Fate Program, which examines how long chemicals remain harmful after deployed by a chemical weapon.
“Research conducted at world class institutions right here in Flint assists our military men and women in the field, and will enable them to recover more quickly from wartime injuries and chemical threats making our citizens safer here at home,” said Kildee. |
