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Stimulus might generate 3,000 construction jobs


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POSTED: Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Fourteen community health centers that serve low-income populations on six islands will share more than $2.7 million in federal economic stimulus funds.


;[Preview]    State Lists 246 Million Dollars in DOT Stimulus Projects
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The state says the 22 projects will create more than three thousand jobs. Some of the projects have been on the books for years but have been stalled due to lack of funds. 3/16/09

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The financial aid comes as the centers face a possible cutback in state funding as the administration and lawmakers wrestle with a $75 million budget shortfall. The community centers received about $5.6 million last year for serving uninsured clients.

The centers will receive the individual grants by later this month, according to an announcement from U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye.

The allocation of money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was based on a formula giving the centers an additional $19 per uninsured patient.

The 14 centers served a total of 110,000 residents in 2007, according to Beth Giesting, chief executive of the Hawaii Primary Care Association.

Inouye said the funding “;is a reflection of the increased demand for services from community health centers during our tough economic times. It is a time when the working poor, the uninsured, and rural and high-risk populations must often choose between health care or putting food on the table,”; Inouye said in the announcement.

Oahu centers will receive the following:

» Kalihi-Palama Health Center, $342,984.

» Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, $335,656.

» Waikiki Health Center, $210,619.

» Kokua Kalihi Valley, $209,258.

» Koolau Community Health and Wellness Center, Kahuku, $143,669.

» Waimanalo Health Center, $140,768.

Where will the transportation money go?

Here are transportation projects for which officials are seeking federal stimulus money:
Project Title Cost

State

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
H-1, Seismic Retrofit, Farrington Highway & Makakilo Separation$1.8 million
Kamehameha Highway, South Punaluu Bridge Replacement$17 million
Hawaii Belt Road, Clean & Paint Steel Members, Kukuaiu, Kuwaikahi, Ninole and Maulua Bridges$11 million
Maalo Road Resurfacing$1.2 million
Kuhio Highway Resurfacing, Kawaihau Road to Kapaa Bridge$2 million
Kuhio Highway, Short-term Improvements, Kuamoo Road to Temporary Bypass Road$17 million
Piilani Highway Pavement Preservation, Lipoa Street to Kilohana$5 million
Hana Highway PPM, Kaupakalua Road to Huelo$2 million
Maunaloa Highway Resurfacing, MP 0.5 - Airport$4 million
Kalae Highway PPM, Maunaloa Highway to Kalaupapa Lookout$2 million

Oahu

                                                                                                                                               
Traffic Signals at Various Locations, Phase 10$4 million
Traffic Improvement at Various Sites, Harding Ave. and 5th & 11th Avenues$2.8 million
Waipio Point Access Road Improvements$5 million
Traffic Management Center Auxiliary Power Facility$400,000
Kalaeloa Blvd. Widening and Reconstruction, Phase 1 OR&L ROW to Lauwiliwili Street$7 million

Big Island

                                                           
Ane Keohokalaoloe Highway (governor's certification pending)$35 million
Waimea Trails and Greenway (governor's certification pending)$600,000

Kauai

                               
Lydgate Park to Kapaa Bike/Ped Path (Phase 3)$4.12 million

Maui

                                                           
Market Street Improvements, Phase 2$6 million
Buses for all counties$43.8 million

State

                                                                                       
Explosive Detection System Integration Improvements, Honolulu Airport$43 million
Explosive Detection System Integration Improvements, Kahului Airport$18.5 million
Apron Pavement Structural Improvements, Kahului Airport$15 million