DECD: Governor Rell Writes Municipal Leaders, Stressing Definition of ‘Shovel-Ready’

Projects Must Meet Feds’ Narrow Criteria to Get Funded, Governor Notes – ‘Wish List’ Won’t Do

Governor M. Jodi Rell today wrote mayors, first selectmen and other municipal leaders across Connecticut to emphasize that the projects they recommend as “shovel-ready” must meet a fairly narrow set of criteria.

In recent days the Governor’s office has received information on hundreds of local projects, including a list of more than 1,300 proposed by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM), the vast majority of which do not meet the definition of “shovel-ready.”

“Everybody has a list of things they would love to see get done around their city or town, from major improvements to little fix-ups that just never seem to make it to the top of the priority list,” Governor Rell said. “I understand that – the state has a list like that, too – but that is not what we are talking about here.”

“To be truly ‘shovel-ready,’ these projects have to meet some fairly strict definitions,” the Governor said. “They have to be fully designed; they have to be fully permitted – and that includes not only all of the state, local and federal permits needed but also any inspections, surveys or reports required from agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and they have to be ready to break ground within 180 days of getting the money.”

“These are the criteria we understand will be included in the legislation,” Governor Rell said. “In fact, we are hearing that if the projects are not off and running within 180 days, the funding will be withdrawn. If that happens, we all lose.”

Governor Rell said that while she appreciates the flow of information from organizations such as CCM, it is not clear that any of the projects put forward so far meet these crucial tests.

The Governor reiterated her request that cities and towns provide details on each project they recommend including indicating whether they have completed all the necessary design work and received all of the necessary permits, as well as an approximate number of jobs the project is expected to create or retain.

She also encouraged municipal leaders to “give consideration to projects that go beyond the traditional definitions of ‘infrastructure’ such as alternative energy sources, information technology improvements and affordable housing developments – as long as they are ready to get under way as soon as the money is available.”

“A second economic stimulus package represents an opportunity for Connecticut to work its way through these challenging economic times – to rebuild our economy and our communities one brick or one solar panel at a time,” Governor Rell said.

As part of our continuing dialogue concerning “shovel-ready” projects that could be funded if Congress approves a second national economic stimulus package, I want to keep you up-to-date about several issues that have arisen since my letter of December 9.

My office has already heard from a number of cities and towns directly. In addition, we also received the results of a survey conducted by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) that lists potential projects from more than 90 Connecticut communities. I appreciate this flow of information.

However, while the survey is rich with variety it is light on details essential in developing a prioritized list of projects that will reinvigorate the state’s economy and create dependable jobs. In many cases, what has arrived in my office is a “wish list” of municipal projects – everything from tennis courts to new paint jobs – that have likely languished at the bottom of priority lists for years.

I must again stress that the projects that meet the “shovel-ready” test fall within a relatively narrow set of criteria: They must be fully designed; they must be fully permitted (that is, not only have all local, state and federal approvals but also have all required studies from agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, etc.); and they must be ready to begin actual construction within 180 days of the allocation of funding.

Our collective goal must be to help people get back to work, help our families hold onto their homes and help revitalize our communities. To accomplish this, we need to identify the maximum number of qualifying projects and receive as much funding as possible to help strengthen and grow the state’s economy.

We have received strong indications from Washington itself that if shovels are not in the ground within 180 days of the money being allocated the funding will be withdrawn.

It is therefore critical – as I indicated in my letter of December 9 – that as you recommend projects you indicate to me whether they have completed all the necessary design work and received all of the necessary local, state and federal permits required for actual construction to begin.

As I indicated, I am also interested in the number of jobs – even if only approximate – that such projects are likely to create or retain. This information will prove to be a tremendous help as we assemble a comprehensive list of “shovel-ready” projects.

Please send your proposals no later than December 31, 2008, to Fran Evon in my office at fran.evon@ct.gov or by regular mail to Office of the Governor, 210 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut, 06105.

Let me also encourage you once again to also give consideration to projects that go beyond the traditional definitions of “infrastructure” such as alternative energy sources, information technology improvements and affordable housing developments – as long as they are ready to get under way as soon as the money is available.

Thank you once again for your assistance as we promote the state’s economic recovery. A second economic stimulus package represents an opportunity for Connecticut to work its way through these challenging economic times – to rebuild our economy and our communities one brick or one solar panel at a time.