Albany, NY – Governor David A. Paterson announced the creation of the New York State Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Cabinet to manage the development of state and local infrastructure projects financed through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The cabinet will be composed of state agency heads and senior staff from the Governor’s Office. Timothy J. Gilchrist will serve as senior advisor for Infrastructure and Transportation, a position created to lead the cabinet. Gilchrist, who had been serving as Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Infrastructure, will oversee the distribution of federal funds throughout the state for projects involving transportation, water and sewer, energy, technology and other infrastructure. Under Gilchrist’s leadership, the Cabinet will work cl...Read More

Comments (0)

Wilmington, DE – Governor Jack Markell has asked Lt. Governor Matt Denn to take on the responsibility of “Implementation Czar” to oversee federal stimulus spending and to help the state maximize the assistance Delaware will receive from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The Governor will issue an Executive Order that creates the “Governor’s Stimulus Solutions Group,” which includes representatives from several state agencies and liaisons to local and county governments, school districts, higher education and private sector stakeholders seeking federal funds. Lt. Governor Denn and the Solutions Group will assist state agencies in their applications for grants, oversee the use of federal financing made available by the ARRA, look for ways to maximize th...Read More

Comments (0)

Flight delays caused by air traffic congestion at New York’s three airports — LaGuardia, JFK and Newark — were responsible for more than $2.6 billion in losses to New York’s regional economy in 2008. If no action is taken, losses attributable to congestion will total a staggering $79 billion between 2008 and 2025. The three airports rank as the nation’s most congested, and flight delays produce a ripple effect throughout the global system. Nearly three-quarters of nationwide delays are attributable to problems originating in New York.

These sobering results are from the study “Grounded: The High Cost of Air Traffic Congestion,” released by the Partnership for New York City, a business leadership organization. HDR Decision Economics ...Read More

Comments (0)

Financing is now available from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) for the Edison Innovation Clean Energy Manufacturing Fund, a program that will enable New Jersey to take a leadership role in the clean technology industry by promoting new jobs and growth in the state while addressing the goals of New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan. The program represents an expansion of the state’s Edison Innovation Fund, a key element of Governor Jon S. Corzine’s Economic Growth Strategy, which was created to spur innovation, create new, high-paying jobs and cultivate an entrepreneurial environment for technology and life sciences companies in New Jersey.

The Clean Energy Manufacturing Fund was specifically designed to support companies looking to site ...Read More

Comments (0)

Governor Jack Markell unveiled a list of road, transit and pedestrian projects that will be the state’s priorities to receive funding under a federal economic stimulus package. The projects, totaling $200 million, were selected for their ability to meet federal requirements that the work begin within three to six months, the number of jobs the work will generate and the projects’ economic development potential. Based on economic analysis, the projects are expected to create 1,200 jobs.

The projects range from big-ticket items, such as the additional E-ZPass lanes at the I-95 toll plaza and $70-million worth of paving and rehabilitation work, to smaller projects such as traffic signal and guardrail replacement. Funding is being targeted not just for traditional road projects, but also for transit projects such as a new Dover...Read More

Comments (0)

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is continuing its cost savings efforts in the new year by transitioning when appropriate from “live” public workshops to “virtual” public workshops. In 2008, there were 50 public workshops and/or hearings. The main expenses were DelDOT staff overtime/compensatory time, outside firm time, room rental fees, and fuel costs. Under the new process, DelDOT expects that many of the above costs will nearly be eradicated.

It should be noted that hearings required by law will continue to be held.

The centerpiece communication tool is the virtual public workshop, a web page that includes information about a proposed transportation project with an added bonus: the public is able to submit a projec...Read More

Comments (0)

My daughter started her first job a few months ago and recently ran into problems with some young men employed with her. Because she had two days off from school, she was working a couple of weekday shifts – not her typical schedule – so had never really worked with these two young men before. At some point during the day, they proceeded to leer at her and make rude, suggestive comments. She told them to quit, and they did not. Upset and in tears, she went to her supervisor to ask him to “make them stop.”

She was promptly told, “It’s no big deal. They are just teasing. Ignore it.”

WRONG ANSWER for this Mama Bear. It was handled. Beli...Read More

Comments (1)

As part of his ongoing strategy to stimulate the New Jersey economy and create jobs in the state, Governor Jon S. Corzine has released a statewide plan to move forward on $2.8 billion in transportation projects, supporting or creating an estimated 26,000 jobs.

Job creation through acceleration of previously-planned public works projects is a key component of Governor Corzine’s economic stimulus and recovery initiative, announced in October. All department heads, particularly the commissioners and directors of the Department of Transportation, New Jersey Transit, Toll Authorities, Schools Development Authority, Board of Public Utilities, and the Department of Environmental Protection have been instructed to expedite projects currently on the drawing board, as to create ...Read More

Comments (0)

Governor Ruth Ann Minner and the Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announce the successful sale of $117.8 million of Delaware Transportation Authority bonds, which affirmed the importance of the excellent bond ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s. The credit conscious municipal market is rewarding high-grade issuers with lower interest rates.

The Transportation System Senior Revenue Bonds, 2008 Series B were issued to provide funds for the capital transportation program. Barclays Capital, Inc. was the winning bidder among the four underwriting syndicates that participated in the bidding. The True Interest Cost (TIC) was 4.72 percent for the sale. The bonds were affirmed as AA+ by Standard & Poor’s, and Aa3 rating by Moody’s.

Both rating agencies also reported a “stable&rdqu...Read More

Comments (0)

The proposed construction of an $8.7-billion rail tunnel between New Jersey and New

York’s Penn Station cleared a hurdle when it received a federal environmental approval. The Federal Transit Administration approved the project’s Final Environmental Impact Statement, which was published in the Federal Register on Nov. 8. Following a 30-day comment period, the FTA can formally conclude the environmental study, opening the door for the project to receive federal matching funds.

The state and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have committed $5.7 billion to fund the project. An additional $3 billion in federal funds is sought.

“This key federal approval dovetails with our economic ...Read More

Comments (0)

Voters Have Chance To Invest $400 Million With Clean Water Referendum

Governor Edward G. Rendell announced on October 27 the commonwealth’s investment of $66 million in 15 brownfields, drinking water and wastewater projects in 14 counties. Most of the money approved, $62 million, is for low-interest loans. Combined with $4 million in grants, PENNVEST will fund 15 clean water projects. In a press release today, Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary John Hanger added that rebuilding the state’s infrastructure would put 12,000 people to work.

A recent study by the 30-member Sustainable Infrastructure Task Force, convened by Governor Edward G. Rendell, estimates that dri...Read More

Comments (0)

NYSDOT Announces $20.4 Million For Airport Infrastructure

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn has announced approval for more than $20.4 million in grants for aviation capital projects across New York State. This funding, primarily from the Renew and Rebuild New York Transportation Bond Act of 2005, will support infrastructure, security, and economic-development projects at 48 public-use airports in the state.

Administered by NYSDOT, the grants will be distributed in three categories:

• to support improvements at airports serving business aviatio

Comments (0)