EXCERPT FROM: Pottawatomie
By Lori Goat
Agencies and groups in Pottawatomie County has been awarded more than $39 million in stimulus funds so far.
On Feb. 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in hopes of jump-starting an economy that was rivaling the Depression Era Americans struggled through 70 years ago. Since ARRA went into effect, more than $2 billion has been awarded to Oklahoma with $492,820,000 already received as of Oct. 30.
According to the federal government’s website, www.recovery.gov, the stimulus money has been distributed in Pottawatomie County as follows:
The Absentee Shawnee Tribe received $3,811,566 in grants for $16,902, training and employee services; $353,282, child care and development; $21,810, nutrition services for the elderly; $2,677,572, housing; $232,000, renovation of health facility and $510,000 for a domestic violence shelter.
Homes for the mentally disabled, Angel Acres, has received $38,367 for Section 8 housing assistance.
The Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency (COCAA) received these grants: $110,293 for public transportation and $6,141,221 funding for weatherization assistance to low-income families.
A grant for $315,219 has been awarded to the Central Tribes of Shawnee for childcare and development.
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation has received the largest private stimulus funding, totaling $7,434,337: $950,116, Native American housing; $21,810, nutrition services for the elderly; $5,089, community services block grant; $2,000,000, small business and development; $3,028,333, grants for Father Murphy housing; $147,561, geothermal retrofit for existing building; and $1,281,428, childcare and development.
Pottawatomie County was awarded a grant for $41,659 to buy law enforcement equipment and weapons. The county has also received $1,296,700 to improve Hwy. 18 east 7.72 miles to Seminole; $491,743, highway improvement for .5 miles north and two and a half miles east of St. Louis and $2,142,187 for highway, street and bridge construction.
East Central Workforce was given $887,009 for an investment board grant and GO CS, Inc. received a $33,300 loan as an aid to small business.
Patriot Services Corps was awarded $129,750 to install security cameras on the dredge ship U.S.S. Wheeler and an unnamed individual recipient of the stimulus funds received $142,700 as a direct operating loan.
The Kickapoo Tribe received $654,881 in grants; $416,349, childcare and development; $10,140, nutrition services for the elderly; $41,046, dental equipment and supplies; and $187,346 for housing.
Unnamed multiple recipients were awarded $2,846,823 in loan funds for single-family dwellings.
Project Safe Inc. received $53,141 to help domestic violence survivors.
The City of Shawnee was awarded $1,255,196 in grants: $856,585, public housing and management; $106,896, construction; and $291,715 for police equipment and weapons.
The City of Tecumseh received $132,411: $100,168, housing; and $32,243 for police equipment and weapons.
The City of Maud was given $78,624 for public housing.
A Justice Assistance Grant for $291,715 was awarded to Oklahoma to help the Pottawatomie County District Attorney’s Office.
Oklahoma University Head Start Program received $26,113 to help Outreach’s Native American Institute.