Kagen Announces First Allocation of Recovery Act Funding
Appleton, WI — Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. announced that funds have been allocated for the 8th Congressional District from the first round of funding of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Millions of dollars in Community Development Block Grants, Public Housing Capital Funds and Native American Housing Block Grants will be distributed to communities throughout Northeast Wisconsin by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This will help rebuild our neighborhoods and generate jobs.
“Our goal was to act swiftly to jumpstart our economy and create jobs and I am proud to say that that process has begun,” said Kagen. “Through these grants we are making an investment in our future and creating jobs right now. It is a great first step toward building a better nation for all of us, and I am working hard to make sure our economic recovery continues.”
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law only eleven days ago and this revolutionary legislation will create more than 8,000 jobs in the 8th Congressional District and an estimated 70,000 jobs across Wisconsin. Additionally, approximately181,000 households in the 8th District – part 95% of the working households in America –- will receive a tax cut which they will see in their paychecks starting on April 1st.
Under the Recovery Act, all announcements of contract and grant competitions, awards, and formula grant allocations must be posted on www.recovery.gov, thus creating a new standard for transparency and accountability. The online post must also include the names of agency personnel to contact with concerns about infrastructure projects as well as a description of the investment funded, the purpose, the total cost, and why recovery dollars should be used. Governors, mayors, or others making decisions regarding funding must personally certify that the investment has been fully vetted and is a suitable use of taxpayer dollars.
Federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will need to be administered quickly to generate jobs in Northeast Wisconsin, and last week Congressman Kagen visited the Wisconsin Office of Recovery and Reinvestment, created by Governor Doyle, to discuss how this can be accomplished. The Office of Recovery and Reinvestment encourages citizens to visit their website at www.recovery.wisconsin.gov to submit suggestions for projects that fit the federal criteria and create jobs.
Congressman Kagen has also made this information available on his web site at www.kagen.house.gov. Below is a list of the grants for the 8th Congressional District.
Public Housing Capital Funds are apportioned to supply funding for development, financing, and modernization of public housing. Formula funds must be allocated within 30 days of enactment. The following will receive Public Housing Capital Funds:
| Green Bay Housing Authority | $341,467 |
| City of Appleton Housing Authority | $353,969 |
| De Pere Housing Authority | $158,640 |
| Kaukauna Housing Authority | $101,540 |
| Peshtigo Housing Authority | $56,490 |
| Algoma Housing Authority | $52,610 |
| Oconto Housing Authority | $107,423 |
| Shawano Housing Authority | $232,469 |
| Shawano County Housing Authority | $389,315 |
| Clintonville Housing Authority | $90,096 |
| New London Housing Authority | $84,248 |
| Pulaski Housing Authority | $33,371 |
| Marinette Housing Authority | $108,796 |
| Wausaukee Housing Authority | $106,760 |
| Antigo Housing Authority | $123,891 |
Community Development Block Grants are provided to offer funding for low-income benefit requirements, including but not limited to: property acquisition; economic development assistance; relocation; code enforcement; clearance, rehab, reconstruction, construction of buildings; technical assistance; development activities through nonprofits; housing services and homeownership assistance. Recipients must prioritize use for projects that can award bid-based contracts within 120 days from funding availability. The following will receive Community Development Block Grants:
| City of Appleton | $161,702 |
| City of Green Bay | $267,161 |
Native American Housing Block Grants are allocated to expand or sustain rental or ownership housing. They may also provide housing services to assist low-income Indian families on Indian reservations and other Indian areas. Formula funds must be allocated within 30 days of enactment. The following will receive Native American Housing Block Grants:
| Forest County Potawatami | $168,911 |
| Lac du Flambeau Tribe | $603,802 |
| Menominee Tribe | $1,014,445 |
| Oneida Tribe | $1,445,731 |
| Sokagoan Chippewa Tribe | $340,622 |
| Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe | $200,307 |
