St. Louis County officials seek funding from federal economic stimulus plan

St. Louis County officials have submitted a proposal for $1.8 billion in federal economic stimulus funding in an effort to create more than 57,000 jobs.

The proposal lists 95 projects, which vary from specific road improvement projects to individual municipality projects, and includes funding opportunities for Metro.

The proposal was submitted to President Barak Obama’s transition team, which intends to create a national economic stimulus program. It was submitted electronically, which allows for the County to update the list anytime before the inauguration on Jan. 20.

Garry Earls, chief operating officer (COO) for St. Louis County, said the downturn in the economy has created dire situations, particularly in the job market.

“There have been 30 percent fewer automobiles being sold (in 2008) versus last year,” Earls said. “We have workers, like at the Chrysler plant, who are uncertain whether they will have work. It begins to trickle down by way of reducing spending and the impact is felt across the economy.”

The county and individual municipalities are beginning to feel the effect through the reduction of sales tax revenues; scheduled projects are at risk.

Several road improvement projects have made the list for federal assistance, including turning Hwy. 141 into an expressway that would run from I-64 north to the Maryland Heights Expressway.

“That project opens up an area of the county for economic development, job growth and provides a shortcut for drivers moving between West St. Louis County and East St. Charles County,” Earls said. “It would reduce congestion on I-270 and reduce air pollution, improving the green condition of our community.”

Earls said that unlike similar proposals he has seen from other local governments across the country, St. Louis County’s 200-page request individually outlines the estimated impacts not only in the short term, but also in the long term.

St. Louis County accounts for a quarter of Missouri’s economy.

“If you want to put money in the center of the country and put it to work, you need to put it where the economy in the state of Missouri is,” Earls said.

A project that would turn Hanley Road into an overpass crossing Manchester Road in Brentwood is on the list, with $80 million specifically designated toward it.
Several parks and trail projects in the county made the list as well as several school district and municipality construction projects. A new county animal shelter in Olivette and a new family court building are on the list as well.

Metro, which recently announced dramatic service cuts to West and South St. Louis County, would receive $50 million, the amount needed to fill its projected budget deficit.

A county-wide emergency communication system also made the list. The system is needed to connect all emergency service workers and police and fire departments within the county by way of radio communication.

Earls said that without federal dollars, list items, such as the communication system, would require a raise in taxes in order to be afforded. On Nov. 4, voters rejected a measure that would provide a 1.85-cent local use tax to be used toward the communication system.

A decision on the proposal could come in early spring.