5/15/2009 - NEWS ADVISORY
City of Portland
389 Congress Street
Portland, Maine 04101
www.portlandmaine.gov
CONTACT: Nicole Clegg, 207-756-8173, 207-272-4477 (cell) nicoleclegg@portlandmaine.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2009

Recovery Funds at Work in Portland
Homeless prevention, combined sewer overflow projects and a health center for the underinsured are just a few of the Portland programs funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

PORTLAND, Maine – Today, the City of Portland unveiled a new website that provides detailed information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and funded projects and grant opportunities for Portland. The website, www.portlandmaine.gov/recovery, identifies current projects funded by the ARRA like the Clifton Street Sewer Separation Project and the Aircraft Deicing Fluid Capture project as well as grant applications and opportunities the city is pursuing. People can also learn about the projects, expected environmental, economic and sustainability outcomes, and potential contractors or vendors that have been hired to complete the work.

“The City of Portland is committed to providing accurate and clear information to the public about Recovery Act projects,” stated Mayor Jill Duson. “ARRA is designed to jumpstart the economy, create or save jobs, and address challenges the nation and our city must face for the 21st century. Our new website will help the public learn about steps the city is taking to meet these goals and encourage recovery in our local economy.”

Currently underway, the Clifton Street Sewer Separation Project was funded by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for $2.06 million. This sewer separation project will improve the water quality for the Back Cove and meets compliance needs under Clean Water Act for the city. To date, the project has created more than twenty full-time jobs. Another example is the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, which has allocated $684,700 directly to the city for efficiency programs. The city must submit the projects that will be funded by this block grant June 25th, and the City Council’s Energy and Environmental Sustainability Committee is meeting May 26th to discuss potential uses.

The website will be updated periodically as information changes.
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