Small cities looking for big help from stimulus bill

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Story Published: Mar 3, 2009 at 5:37 PM MST

Story Updated: Mar 3, 2009 at 6:18 PM MST

By Wes Horrocks

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BANNOCK COUNTY - Cities across the country are applying for money from the federal stimulus bill. Here in Southeast Idaho even the smallest cities are hoping to get some help.

One main goal for many is to improve roads, but that's only the start. Fred Winward, Arimo Mayor said, "There is roughly 360 people that live here in Arimo."

Armio city leaders are looking to get all of the six miles worth of streets in town chip sealed.

The project will cost about $55,000, but it would extend the life of the roads by about ten years. Winward said, "We could use a little bit more of our money, our general fund money, to put on the maintenance. Which small cities like this we struggle to keep up with just the wear and tear of our roads."

Lava Hot Springs is hoping to get $1.5 million to fix and rebuild some roads and sidewalks. They're also looking for $8 or $9 million for a waste water project.

While it may sound like a lot city leaders tell me that these projects need to be done. So if they can get money from the federal stimulus bill it just means that everything will be done.

Chubbuck City is also among those hoping to get money for a new sewer line. The project will cost around $22 million. Steven England, Chubbuck Mayor said, "By providing this sewer system it not only provides the work that would be available by the contracting and actual installation of the sewer, but it allows for additional development, and homeowners, and industry."

But Chubbuck isn't just focusing on infrastructure. They're also interested in building a new fire station in the Northern part of the county. England said, "It could fall in the criteria of really being something that could give us an economic boost."

The catch with all of the projects is that they have to be shovel ready.

As of Tuesday the cities don't know when they'll find out what money they qualify for, but most are hoping that decisions will be made within the next two months.

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