Shovel ready

[SteelTown]

Here's a list of shovel ready projects for Hamilton, which totals $1.6 billion....

[omro]

Wow...

How many of these things will go ahead without federal funding?

If the federal government funds some of these, will they actually use the money saved for anything useful, like: LRT, City Hall, etc?

Having read the other article on the Spec about the sewage treatment plant, I'm liking it on two fronts - one it cleans up harbour water and two it saves everyone money on everyone's future bills, so it's a project that does have benefit to all.

[Blurr]

I am glad to see that there are many energy efficient projects in there. Lights for example in some cases have paybacks of less than one year. The city should be able to save a considerable amount of money by considering which have the highest return. Newer higher efficient boilers also have attractive paybacks.

[matt602]

"Lister Block District - Cooling and Heating"

Huh?

[SteelTown]

So based on my calucations Hamilton should get $63,842,172 from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. With the other 50% from Queen's Park it's $127,684,344.

For Social Housing it's $15,960,543. I don't know if Queen's Park will double the fund.

[SteelTown]

[SteelTown]

Federal Infrastructure MInister Highlights A Need For Speed
Ken Mann
2/27/2009

You can expect to see a surge in construction in Hamilton in the coming months.

That commitment comes from both Mayor Eisenberger and federal Infrastructure Minister John Baird who met to discuss the city's "shovel ready" priorities on Friday afternoon.

Baird acknowledges that there is a "need for speed" in terms of getting shovels in the ground and providing a "shot in the arm" to the local economy.

He hopes to see work begin on the first of the projects that would qualify for federal infrastructure funding within weeks, adding that there are a "wide array" of opportunities.

Mayor Eisenberger says he's pleased to see the way things are moving along and says their list of projects is ready to go once the money arrives. He adds water and sewer, roads, social housing and recreational facilities are all on that list.

Hamilton's share of the federal infrastructure fund has been pegged at upwards of 200 million dollars.

[omro]

Do we know what they plan to spend that money on?

[Gurnett71]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

So based on my calucations Hamilton should get $63,842,172 from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. With the other 50% from Queen's Park it's $127,684,344.

For Social Housing it's $15,960,543. I don't know if Queen's Park will double the fund.

It will be interesting to see if the funding from the upper levels of gov't will mirror your projections based solely on the the population of each city. I have an uneasy feeling that there will be all sorts of porkbarrelling going on here providing some centres with a much larger proportion of funds, such as the high speed rail proposal from TO to Peterborough (http://www.thestar.com/News/FederalB...rticle/307725). I think this was eventually shelved due to the bad optics of the proposal.

Anyway, if the city receives funding anywhere near your projections, we will all benefit.

[drpgq]

Does Hamilton really need additional social housing units? I think we have plenty as it is and if there is to be new units in the overall region, they could go in Burlington, Oakville and Milton.

[omro]

http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/522182

City in line for stimulus money

February 28, 2009
The Hamilton Spectator
(Feb 28, 2009)

Federal Transport Minister John Baird paid a visit to Mayor Fred Eisenberger yesterday to tell him Hamilton is on Ottawa's radar to receive money from its $40-billion plan to kick-start the economy.

The city is looking at more than 100 projects worth $1.6 billion to see if they qualify for infrastructure funding.

Baird said his government hopes to make decisions "within weeks" and has unveiled "a major action plan" to cut red tape. He said shovels could be in the ground by June, depending on the projects. The mayor was pleased by the talk.

Meanwhile, Baird is set to travel to Washington in March to meet Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood. He said they will discuss the Detroit-Windsor bridge, the Peace Bridge and other border issues.

Baird also talked to President Barack Obama when he visited Ottawa. He saw him off at Air Force One. He called him a "very impressive guy" and said, "you bet" when asked if he was an Obama fan.

Wasn't $1.6b the price tag for LRT?

[SteelTown]

Nope, the chart below are projects worth $1.6 billion.

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Here's a list of shovel ready projects for Hamilton, which totals $1.6 billion....

[omro]

It's a good list and if all or most get the go ahead, could have a HUGE positive impact upon the city.

[SteelTown]

We definitely won't get $1.6 billion from the Infrastructure fund. We be lucky to get $130 million. It's likely we'll get the money once Queen's Park submit their budget in March.

That list of projects worth $1.6 billion will be elevated after we get the figure how much we'll get. If we get $130 million a committee will narrow the list down worth $130 million.

[omro]

What would people like $130, spent on? How would you divy it up?

Personally, though it's unglam, I think the sewage system is important and stops it being used as a reason not to do other more glam things in the future.

[SteelTown]

There's a bunch of different Infrastructure funds. It's likely the City will get a different type of funds for the new sewer system.

The $130 million is likely going towards roads, recreational centres, business parks, etc. There's also another separate fund for social housing, should get $16 million.

[realcity]

Glad to see Auchmar is getting a good amount $

What's the 'Dundurn Renaissance'?

[SteelTown]

Mayor pushes for stimulus spending — now

March 04, 2009
By Nicole MacIntyre
Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/523746

The city is convening high-level strategy meetings to help Hamilton weather the shutdown of one of its major employers.

“It’s been a bee hive of activity,” said city manager Chris Murray, who is pulling together the senior management team for a meeting today.

As soon as the city learned U.S. Steel Canada was temporarily closing its local operations, Murray asked his staff to develop a response plan.

“Anything that can be done will be done.”

Mayor Fred Eisenberger has also been busy, alternating between calls with high level politicians and answering media requests from across the country.

Premier Dalton McGuinty personally called the mayor yesterday to talk to him about the province’s response.

“They understand our position and plight,” Eisenberger said, adding he urged the government to move as quickly as possible on stimulus spending.

The mayor said he also took the opportunity to remind McGuinty that the city is seeking a $16 million grant or loan to help cover special social services in this year’s budget.

“That need is greater than ever.”

In a conversation with federal Industry Minister Tony Clement, Eisenberger continued his campaign to have the newly announced Southern Ontario Development Agency located in Hamilton.

He also spoke with provincial ministers Michael Bryant and Dwight Duncan and local MPPs. Next week the city is holding a caucus meeting with all local politicians to continue planning.

Eisenberger said he’s confident after his many phone calls that the senior governments understand swift action is necessary.

“They understand the need for speed here.”

Murray is expecting every senior manager to report today on how the shutdown will impact each city department from taxation to economic development. While the city is mindful of the potential impacts on its revenues, Murray said the first priority is helping the steel workers.

“They turn to us for services in these situations.”

For example, Murray said he wants the city’s social services department to be ready to participate in information sessions that Service Canada will hold for the laid-off employees.

Eisenberger added his own office is gathering information on the shutdown to help the widowers and pensioners who have already started calling his office looking for help.

“We want to be sure we don’t turn them away and let them know what we know.”

[SteelTown]

Federal minister says stimulus money on its way

By Kevin Werner, News Staff
News
http://www.hamiltonmountainnews.com/news/article/165846

Federal Transport Minister John Baird assured Hamilton officials last week the city will quickly see the benefits from the Conservatives $40 billion economic stimulus package. But Mayor Fred Eisenberger remains concerned about how the federal funds will flow to the city.

Mr. Baird, who was touring southwestern Ontario municipalities, including Windsor Feb. 27, spent about an hour meeting with city officials explaining how the stimulus package will assist Hamilton and the surrounding communities.

“The meeting was positive,” said Mr. Eisenberger. “They expressed a strong commitment to provide the funding for shovel-ready projects.”

The city is looking at about $1.6 billion for an estimated 100 projects. Mr. Eisenberger said Hamilton will be accessing funding from both the recently approved stimulus package and the Build Canada fund.

Hamilton will apply to the Build Canada program to fund the city’s top infrastructure priority: the $700 million water and wastewater expansion. The stimulus funding will provide the necessary “quick jolts” of job creation for the city; said Mr. Eisenberger. He estimates the stimulus program could create for Hamilton between 2,000 to 3,000 jobs.

“It’s all about jobs,” he said. “With Hamilton at an 8 per cent unemployment rate, the (projected jobs) would be significant for the city.

“There will be a brilliant benefit for us from both funding sources,” he added.

The federal government stated one of the criteria for the stimulus package is to fund projects that will begin within two years. Mr. Baird suggested the federal government could accelerate the funding if the shovel-ready projects are ready by June, 2009.

Mr. Baird has been defending the federal government’s proposal to kick-start the stimulus package by releasing about $3 billion in emergency funding for the country. Liberals have argued without the proper checks and balances, the money could be wasted on useless projects.

Mr. Eisenberger expects the stimulus funding will be distributed to municipalities on a per capita basis.

“That may not be fair to older municipalities, but it is something we will live with,” he said.

There remains a few questions to be answered, including how funding will flow to municipalities and what will the criteria be for cities to access the money. The federal government will be sending the stimulus money to the provinces. It will be up to provincial officials to disperse the funding to cities. There also remains the sticking point of the federal government requiring municipalities to pay one-third of the cost of some projects. Mr. Eisenberger told Mr. Baird Hamilton can’t afford to pay for any of the infrastructure projects costs. The transport minister hinted there may be ways municipalities like Hamilton can avoid paying the extra cost for the projects.

[SteelTown]

Ontario to spend $27.5 billion on roads, schools

Canadian Press
http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/535362

Ontario will spend $27.5 billion on roads, schools, hospitals and public transit over the next two years in effort to create 300,000 new jobs, Premier Dalton McGuinty said Monday.

McGuinty said the huge infrastructure investment - which will be detailed in Thursday's provincial budget - will be topped up with another $5 billion from the federal government.

"We've been asked globally to find a way collectively to respond to this worldwide recession," McGuinty said as he announced the funding at a Toronto hospital.

"We're doing our part here in Ontario to stimulate the economy: $32.5 billion is the single largest two-year investment in infrastructure ever."

Transportation projects will get the biggest chunk of the infrastructure money at $9 billion, followed by health care at $7 billion and education at $4 billion.

The investment is expected to translate into 146,000 jobs in the first year and 168,000 in the second.

The federal Conservative government came under fire for inadequate oversight as it tried to get infrastructure spending out the door quickly to stimulate the economy, something McGuinty vowed won't happen in Ontario.

"It's a lot of money and we want to get it out the door in short order," he said.

"Obviously we're going to be as rigorous as we possibly can be to ensure that taxpayers are being served well, the money's being used wisely, and it's creating the jobs we want to have created."

Finance Minister Dwight Duncan has already indicated that this week's budget will include a deficit of about $18 billion over two years.