American Recovery and Reinvestment Act General Information
In February of 2009 President Obama signed the $790 billion American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) into law. Prior to the signing and since the signing city staff have been working hard to ensure that Oshkosh residents receive direct benefits from these funds.
Since information is constantly changing this webpage is designed to keep Oshkosh residents up to date on stimulus funding and projects.
In most cases, federal stimulus money will come to the city through a variety of existing programs. In some cases, the city will receive a direct allocation of funds based on a formula (see energy efficient/green-renewable related projects below). In other cases, the city will need to compete with other entities for grants from either the state or federal government (see hybrid buses below).
Each stimulus award comes with a set of detailed regulations on how the money can be used and deadlines that must be met. Check this webpage often, as decisions are made on how to best use stimulus funds to benefit our city.
Stimulus Projects identified by the City
Prior to the signing of the (ARRA) city of Oshkosh staff researched and submitted a list of proposals that could receive stimulus funds. Click here for the list of those proposals.
Project Updates
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Awards to Date
city of Oshkosh
As of 3/10/10
Hybrid Bus Award - $2,100,000 - This grant was awarded through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to be used to purchase four (4) 35-foot hybrid diesel-electric buses to replace four (4) conventional diesel buses that are at the end of their useful life.
Purchase Order for Hybrid Buses
City of Oshkosh hybrid bus document
Build America Bonds - Interest Savings - $1,011,533 - In 2009, bonds were issued under the ARRA to fund the City’s 2009 Capital Improvement Program. These bonds were issued as taxable bonds even though the nature of the purchases were tax-exempt in order to utilize a subsidy from the Federal Government that covers 35% of each interest payment over the life of the loans.
City Manager’s Newsletter (May, 1 2009)
Bond Buyer Article
Transportation Grant - $803,542 - This grant was awarded through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to be used to complete a street reconstruction project in the City of Oshkosh. Snell Road will be reconstructed from Jackson Street to Highway 41.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Award - $634,100 - This grant was awarded through the United States Department of Energy to be used to assist eligible entities in creating and implementing strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions, reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities and improve energy efficiency in the building sector, the transportation sector, and other appropriate sectors.
City of Oshkosh Press Release
EECDBG Grant
Ready for Reuse Stimulus Grant Awards - $400,000 - These two, $200,000 grants were awarded to the Redevelopment Authority through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to be used for environmental remediation work in the Marion Road/Pearl Avenue Redevelopment Project Area. One grant is for the northern half of Parcel H which encompasses the new Accu-Com development and the northern section of the mixed use building. The other grant is for riverwalk development along the Fox River in the Marion/Pearl area.
RDA to Receive $400,000 in Grants from DNR
Community Development Block Grant Recovery Award - $223,362 - This grant was awarded through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to be used for Bio-filtration Construction and LED Lighting in the 400 Block Parking Lot and housing rehabilitations throughout the City of Oshkosh.
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant - $156,669 - This grant was awarded through the United States Department of Justice to be used to assist local law enforcement to combat violence against women, to fight internet crimes against children, to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, to assist victims of crime and to support youth mentoring.
Police Chief Scott Gruel’s memo to council about the grant
Document on special conditions of the grant
ARRA Immunization Grant - $12,501 - This grant was awarded through the Wisconsin Department of Public Health to be used for vaccine handling and storing, school based clinics, and adult initiatives.
Total Amount Awarded to Date = $5,341,707
Awards to Other Agencies that Benefit the City of Oshkosh
Highway 41 Project - Amount Unknown at this Time - This grant was awarded to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to be used to improve Highway 41 in Winnebago County (17 miles) and in Brown County (14 miles).
Accountability Measures
The (ARRA) establishes that the public be informed of how their money is used for economic recovery. Under the guidelines in the law, the City will:
- Report on the use of recovery funds in Oshkosh for every program and project.
- Ensure that funds are used appropriately as defined by law.
- Provide the number of jobs that were created or saved by funds.
Supplemental Information
For more information on state and federal developments related to the (ARRA) visit the websites below.
State government - http://www.recovery.wisconsin.gov/
Federal government - http://www.recovery.gov/