Tempe to form task force to seek stimulus funds

City’s recent Washington, D.C. visits aimed at advancing stimulus requests

Tempe, Arizona – Tempe officials have visited Washington, D.C., in recent days to learn about competitive grants and other funding that will be made available through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Mayor Hugh Hallman, Vice Mayor Shana Ellis and Councilmember Mark Mitchell have visited the nation’s capitol to meet with Tempe’s Congressional delegation, to learn about applying for competitive grants and to explain Tempe’s commitment to the projects for which it is seeking federal stimulus funds.

The insights gained have led Tempe to begin forming a staff-level task force that will research and apply for grants in many different areas.

The group will pursue projects that represent Tempe’s greatest needs.

On March 18, Mitchell was one of 100 officials from local governments across the country to attend a White House conference on ARRA implementation. Vice President Joe Biden spoke to the group and stressed the need for true partnerships between federal and local governments in implementing the stimulus plan. Department of Energy, Department of Commerce and Department of Homeland Security representatives, among others, presented details about how cities and counties can pursue competitive grants for their projects.

Hallman, who was in Washington March 9-14, takes regular trips to the nation’s capitol at his expense. This month, he updated administrative and legislative leaders about the issues facing Tempe. Hallman also was in Washington in December meeting with Federal Transit Administration leaders.

Ellis met with members of Tempe’s Congressional delegation and their staffs to convey the city’s commitment to obtain funding and complete worthwhile projects for the community.

Mitchell’s position on the National League of Cities (NLC) Board of Directors also allowed him to participate in Washington meetings about the ARRA implementation process and gain insights that will assist as Tempe pursues funding.

Tempe’s objective is to submit prompt and compelling applications for any and all federal funding opportunities that would allow the city to complete a host of projects such as street and infrastructure improvements. Tempe already has submitted lists of proposed projects to Gov. Jan Brewer and the Maricopa Association of Governments; the city is awaiting funding decisions for those projects.

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