Federal stimulus dollars drip slowly into Valley

By Jon Moffett

YOUNGSTOWN — Millions of dollars in federal stimulus money are expected to rain down on the Mahoning Valley in the next few months as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

But for many area contractors, the process seems more like a slow drip.

“It is frustrating to hear your members talk about this money being available for infrastructure projects, and when they come to the office and ask how things are going, we have to be honest and tell them pretty slowly,” said Thomas M. Durkin, president of the Operating Engineers Local 66.

That frustration is shared by those receiving federal dollars and those doling them out. The Eastgate Regional Council of Governments is responsible for delegating some stimulus funds and officials blame the process for the hold up in getting projects under way.

“People just don’t understand the process,” said Ken Sympson, transportation improvements manager with Eastgate. “When you use federal dollars for anything, you have to follow their rules, and they can be cumbersome.”

Kathleen Rodi, transportation director with Eastgate, said the delay is caused by laws for federal funding. Even though the money is part of the stimulus plan, it still is under the jurisdiction of Title 23 of the United States code, which outlines regulations of federal highways and governs everything from land acquisition to equal opportunity among successful bidders.

“We know a little bit more of the process, and it’s frustrating because other people, like the contractors, also know what needs to be done. They just want it done now.”

Eastgate oversees about $9.3 million for projects, Sympson said. The projects were given a one-year timeline in March. Eastgate has 17 projects planned to begin in the next few months.

“The process just takes a long time,” said Marilyn Kenner, chief deputy engineer of Mahoning County engineer’s office. “We just can’t think of a project and hire an engineer to do it real quickly. It has to take time in order for everybody to make sure we’re using the money accurately and are following the guidelines.”

Sympson and Rodi agreed that people may have gotten their hopes up with the money.

“I think the expectations became very high and people want a change in our area,” Rodi said. “They wanted an immediate impact to turn around the area.”

But while those expecting the money can understand the delay, it doesn’t make the waiting game any easier.

“It’s very frustrating,” said Jim Graham, president of the United Auto Workers Local 1112.

Graham led a labor rally Saturday, May 2, challenging Congress to focus attention on the middle class. Though some area contractors and trades workers hesitated about going on the record, Graham spoke for many.

“It’s a feeling that you’re in limbo,” Graham said. “It doesn’t take that long to give checks to the bank. To wait for that money to trickle down is just frustrating. It’s like the federal government is not interested in helping mainstream America; they’re only interested in helping Wall Street, and they’re the ones who helped get us to where we are today.”

And today, the waiting continues.

“The phones have definitely not been ringing off the hook, but hopefully that happens,” said Kevin Reilly, executive vice president of the Youngstown Builders Association. “Hopefully there is funding for these projects and when they do the allocations some [work] comes our way. And at that point, hopefully our phone will be ringing and our plan room will be full.”

Durkin, who represents Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, said he’s noticed a slight discrepancy between the two states.

“It seems like, for whatever reason, somebody pushed the start button for this thing, and Pennsylvania was down in a three-point stance while Ohio wasn’t ready to go as quickly.”

Jim Breese, president of Jack Gibson Construction in Warren, said, “There are a lot of contractors, not only in this area, who want to bid on these projects. You can’t just sit back and wait, and I don’t think anybody really is. You just want to be ready when it does come out.”

“Will it come? Yes it will,” Eastgate’s Rodi said of the work. “It’s just a matter of when.”

jmoffett@vindy.com