Spending the Stimulus

New Hampshire’s so-called Stimulus Czar Bud Fitch estimates the state is in line to receive anywhere from $500 to $750 million dollars in federal money.

The whole point of the stimulus program is to get the economy clicking again- quickly.

To expedite spending, funds for businesses, educators and municipalities will be available through traditional state or federal agency channels.

But Fitch says there’s nothing straightforward about a 700-800 page piece of federal legislation.

So he decided to hold a state-wide meeting to get everyone up to speed.

TAPE: we’re trying to help bring leaders in municipalities, businesses, schools and non-profits together to move from the 30,000 ft. view of this stimulus bill down to 20,000 ft. to make them a little more familiar with the nature of the programs that are available, and mostly where they can get more additional information.

TAPE: welcome everyone who is with us this afternoon, this session is being broadcast electronically- and sustainably to every county and corner of New Hampshire.

That’s UNH President Mark Huddleston.

In an effort to reach as many people as possible- the state teamed up with the University of New Hampshire to simulcast its stimulus meeting.

The governor’s office reports that some 800 people from non-profits, schools, businesses and municipalities attended.

Regardless of the sector- the message from presenters was something like what Education Commissioner Lionel Tracy said to educators.

TAPE: we are asking the superintendents to conduct your own educational audit...as you design your plan...ask yourself this question, what are the needs of students that are not being met as a result of budgetary restraints, then contact us, and present to DOE a plan. We want to work with you. We are ready to work with you.

Over and over, the crowd was told to assess its needs and get in touch with the appropriate governmental agency as quickly as possible.

For example, Tracy says about $78 million dollars will be made available to districts with special education programs and schools with high numbers of low-income students.

The state’s Department of Transportation has already doled out $20.5 million dollars for paving projects, with over $100 million still available.

But Governor Lynch cautioned people not to look at this as some kind of free money program.

TAPE: we must remember that these are one-time funds. Communities, schools and non-profits should not use these funds to create new programs that can not be sustained. So please, do not expect the state, or for that matter, the federal government to replace these funds when the stimulus funds run out.

Some in the state have complained that New Hampshire isn’t receiving it’s fair share of the stimulus package.

A new report estimates the state will rank 40th out of 50 states in total dollars.

Congressman Paul Hodes explains New Hampshire won’t see as much as other places because of the different federal formulas that are used to allocate resources.

TAPE: we are in a very interesting geographical position. For some federal agencies we are too rural. For other federal agencies we are too urban. So we are in a particular mix that does not give us a great advantage in the way a number of federal agencies deal with us.

Many in attendance were grateful for whatever federal money is coming New Hampshire’s way.

But with only some $15 million dollars allocated for local road and bridge projects, one town official worries there won’t be enough cash to go around.

He says in the past few years, significant infrastructure improvements have come only after devastating floods.

In some ways, he says the floods have been a blessing in disguise.

He hopes this recession will be another one.

For NHPR News, I’m DG.