Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeWednesday, Apr. 29, 2009
Corps to begin $14.2M in stimulus projects
By John Trumbo, Herald staff writer
WALLA WALLA -- Mid-Columbia contractors looking for summer work can look forward to $34 million worth of economic stimulus projects on dams, campgrounds and other jobs in the Walla Walla District of the Army Corps of Engineers.
The Corps has 16 projects in Washington valued at $14.2 million involving 285 job opportunities scattered from Burbank to Pomeroy, and scant time to prepare bid specifications.
An additional $17 million is earmarked for work in Idaho and about $2.5 million for projects in Oregon.
"We are trying to impact local economies this year, if possible," said Joe Saxon, chief of public affairs for the Corps in Walla Walla.
The stimulus package was approved by Congress for Washington, Idaho and Oregon under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
"This an unprecedented effort to jump-start the economy and create jobs," said Saxon, noting the goal is to create local jobs.
Upgrading electrical systems at Charbonneau and Fishhook campgrounds on the Snake River is expected to create 52 jobs, and a like number will be needed to build a reverse osmosis potable water upgrade at Charbonneau, Saxon said.
The work list includes road paving and repairs at public use areas and adding picnicking amenities at Little Goose Dam.
A road paving project at Lower Granite Dam's recreation areas will provide jobs for another 60 people.
Dennis Poland of Ray Poland and Sons, a Kennewick general contractor, said the projects can help provide the kind of work that benefits local businesses.
"We hope this will trickle down," he said.
"This is exciting. It's the kind of work we do," said Ryan Ratchford, director of business development for Apollo General Contracting in Kennewick.
"These are projects that have been needing to be done for a while. This funding helps get modernizing done sooner than later," Saxon said. Typically, these projects would be done with money in the Corps' operations budget.
Saxon said the Walla Walla District established the project priorities, which were reviewed at Corps' headquarters in Washington, D.C., before being approved by the Office of Management and Budget.
Lt. Col. Michael Farrell, commander of the Corps' Walla Walla District, said the stimulus funds offer unique opportunities for businesses and contractors in the Tri-City area.
Projects also are scheduled for Dworshak Dam at Ahsahka, Idaho; Lower Granite Dam near Pomeroy; Lower Monumental Dam at Kahlotus; McNary Dam at Umatilla, Mill Creek Lake in Walla Walla; and the Walla Walla River in Milton-Freewater.
Two of the largest projects involve environmental infrastructure work in rural Idaho and fish mitigation work on the Columbia River as required by a federal judge. The Corps expects more than 300 people to be employed on those projects, which will extend into 2010.
Anyone interested in bidding on the projects should visit www.fbo.gov, an online listing of government contracting opportunities, Farrell said.
* A full list of the projects can be found at www.nww.usace.army.mil.
* John Trumbo: 509-582-1529; jtrumbo@tricityherald.com
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