Chew on Philly’s tech proposals in bailout package
Unemployment rate increases by county are shown in yellow and circles represent jobs created by the stimulus package. Credit: Off the Map
President Obama is expected to sign the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act this week after Congress passed the historic bill on Friday. Previously, Obama has promised to cut pork from the bill and only fund necessary and promising projects by appropriating money to encompassing federal grant programs.
StimulusWatch.org has been keeping an eye on the bill, allowing citizens to vote on the projects that they think will best impact their cities. Have a look at Philadelphia’s proposals.
There are a number of projects that show a heightened desire to improve technology and green energy initiatives in Philadelphia.
- Upgrades and expansion of the Central Library
Description: The construction of a flexible, modern addition to the Central Library would generate $76.7 million in labor income, flow $134 million back into the economy, and increase city tax revenues and visitor spending by an estimated $4.3 million. The project would attain Silver LEED certification. After completion, services to job seekers and entrepreneurs would be expanded, including access to 300 computers with high-speed internet access, and help with resumes.
Program: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Cost: $115,000,000
Jobs created: 1,351 - 3,000 LED lamps in signalized intersections
Description: Replace incandescent bulbs and decade-old LED lamps with new LED Lamps for 3000 signalized intersections. The replacements would save the city $1,000,000 per year in energy costs.
Program: Energy
Cost: $6,000,000
Jobs created: 94 - Residential Solar Energy Revolving Loan Fund
Description: Residential Solar Energy Revolving Loan Fund would result in the initiation of solar projects at 500 residences in city of Philadelphia.
Program: Energy
Cost: $4,000,000
Jobs created: 100 - Upgrade the digital public safety radio system
Description: Upgrade the digital public safety radio system and implement new underground infrastructure to accommodate the system.
Program: Public Safety
Cost: $60,000,000
Jobs created: 110 - Enable access to public safety radio system in Subway system.
Description: Enabling access to public safety radio system in the subterranean areas of the city, including subways.
Program: Public Safety
Cost: $30,000,000
Jobs created: 500 - Electronic health records across the prison and linked health systems
Description: Purchase and deployment of electronic health records across the prison and linked health systems
Program: Public Safety
Cost: $15,000,000
Jobs created: 176 - Purchase of 40 Hybrid Buses
Description: The SEPTA Board awarded a contract to New Flyer of America, Inc. for the purchase of 400 hybrid (diesel/electric) buses, with an option to purchase 20 additional buses each year for 4 years.
Program: Transit
Cost: $17,850,000
Jobs created: 678.3 - VSS Fiber Plant
Description: Laying network of fiber to enable technologies such as video surveillance cameras.
Program: Public Safety
Cost: $40,000,000
Jobs created: 125
We’ll keep you updated on what funds are appropriated to these projects when the information is available.
Jesse Middleton on February 15th, 2009
I talked about a way to help the economy and the unemployment rate both on my blog and over on Mark Cuban’s post about startups (http://bit.ly/6hlXI). It involves community, charities and people and doesn’t cost anywhere near these plans and upgrades.
Brian James Kirk on February 15th, 2009
Jesse,
Thanks for the reply. I checked out your comment on Cuban’s post. Interestingly enough, there is a volunteer start-up project happening right here in Philadelphia. You should chat with Jordan Epstein @ VolunteerBig. You can follow him or VolunteerBig on Twitter.
Andrew on March 2nd, 2009
Cool post. Thanks for this. The site’s looking good.
I didn’t find a follow-up on whether all of these projects made it in or not. Did I miss it?
Brian James Kirk on March 2nd, 2009
Andrew,
It’s too early to tell in many cases, though we did post a follow-up that made it clearer how money that could potentially fund these projects is being allocated: http://technicallyphilly.com/news/stimulus-20b-for-us-health-it-101m-for-pa-energy-25m-for-pa-school-tech