Stimulus funds head to NNY localities

WASHINGTON — Northern New York communities will receive about $3.6 million in economic stimulus funds, mostly for rural fire and highway departments, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Wednesday.

The money is part of a third round of rural development projects the department announced in connection with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Nationwide, the department announced $66.4 million in funding for 345 projects.

The biggest item for the north country is $1.4 million for the town of Parishville highway garage, through a loan and grant. The Hermon Fire Department will receive $902,000, the USDA announced.

Other items in the north country include $503,500, through a loan and grant, for the town of Colton highway garage; $501,940 for the Potsdam Humane Society; $259,800 for the village of Norwood Fire Department for a pumper truck, and $65,000 for the Nicholville Volunteer Fire Department.

In addition to the federal funding, communities are putting up a portion of the costs themselves, the USDA reported. Stimulus funding was awarded through competitive applications.

"These projects will advance the Administration's efforts to jumpstart the economy by creating jobs and economic development opportunities in hundreds of small towns," Agriculture Secretary said Tom Vilsack in a press release.

The announcement comes as Republicans criticize the Obama administration's approach on the economy, charging that the stimulus has not stopped the spread of job losses. But officials say that stimulus funding, which was expected to be distributed gradually, is on pace and that the bulk of the money will be spent through the rest of the year.

A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office Wednesday suggested that New York has plenty of spending left to do. The state has obligated about 52 percent of highway funds, 80 percent of Medicaid funds and none of the funds for stabilizing state budgets or protecting homes against extreme weather, yet, for instance.

After trailing other parts of the state in USDA recovery money, the north country has been the recipient of several awards in recent weeks. Housing authorities in Massena, Watertown, Canton and Ogdensburg have received hundreds of thousands of dollars for capital improvements, as has the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. The town of Madrid is using $2.6 million in stimulus funds for water and sewer improvements.