Congress recently approved and the President signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which contains funds for construction of water and wastewater systems, deployment of broadband in rural communities, and money for the renovation and modernization of local schools. By meeting the infrastructure needs of our communities, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will create jobs in the short term in our region as well as provide a solid foundation for long term economic growth in Southwest Virginia.

In December, I originated a letter to the House leadership and the Obama transition team signed by 23 of my Colleagues in the House outlining the importance of funding for rural infrastructure in the recovery package. In the letter, I urged that the needs of rural communities be addressed in the recovery package, and the measure that President Obama signed into law includes robust grant funding for broadband deployment, school improvement and water and wastewater projects.

The recovery measure signed into law includes a total of $7.2 billion to expand high speed Internet access through the deployment of broadband lines to unserved and underserved communities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service is receiving $2.5 billion, and the U.S. Department of Commerce is receiving $4.7 billion to deploy broadband services.

As a result of this recovery measure, high speed Internet services can now be brought to many more Southwest Virginia communities, and I will be working closely with local leaders and the grant making agencies to attract these funds for deserving localities. Expanding Internet services in rural areas where they are not found today will pave the way for companies offering technology based jobs while also providing local entrepreneurs the opportunity to build new Internet-based businesses.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act also includes a total of $10.2 billion to assist local communities construct new water and wastewater systems. The measure includes $6.4 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency’s water and wastewater programs including the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the State Assistance Grant programs, which provide grants and loans to local communities to construct new water and wastewater systems. Additionally, the measure includes funding to support nearly $3.8 billion in grants and loans through the Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program, which also assists communities in constructing new water and wastewater systems.

Adequate and reliable water and wastewater systems are essential to maintaining Southwest Virginia’s excellent quality of life and to achieving our economic development goals for the region. The funds in the stimulus for water and wastewater development will assist our ongoing work to expand water and wastewater systems throughout Southwest Virginia.

The recovery also provides $8.8 billion to states for high priority needs such as improving public safety, and assisting communities with modernization, renovation and repairs of public school facilities and institutions of higher learning.

Virginia residents may submit proposals for projects to be considered for Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding through a new website developed by Governor Tim Kaine, www.stimulus.virginia.gov. Projects submitted by March 6, 2009 will be categorized and reviewed by the appropriate Virginia Cabinet Secretaries, the Governor’s policy office, and the Department of Planning and Budget. The project reviews and recommendations will be completed in time for the Governor to work with the General Assembly to allocate funding and make any required policy or program changes in advance of the Reconvened Session of the Virginia General Assembly. Some of the program areas of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have different deadlines, so residents, communities and organizations may continue to submit requests after March 6, 2009.

For further information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment, please visit the White House official website for the recovery package at www.recovery.gov.

Rick Boucher is Congressman for the 9th District of Virginia, which includes the New River Valley. You can catch his Capitol Commentary regularly at the New River Voice.