DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — Mayor Rhine McLin on Thursday, March 26, announced the city of Dayton will receive more than $4 million in federal stimulus dollars being allocated through the state of Ohio.

The state allocation is expected to leverage an additional $2.6 million from the Miami Valley Planning Commission, bringing the total investment in Dayton to nearly $6.7 million. The funding is also expected to create 200 new jobs.

"This is absolutely fantastic news for the Dayton community," McLin said. "We are delighted that the state of Ohio has agreed to fund our four highest priority projects at the full amount. This is a clear example of how the stimulus dollars are now making their way into local communities to create new jobs and make important improvements in our city. From downtown to various corners of our community, the public will soon see the tangible results of this stimulus money when the work begins this summer."

McLin said she also wanted to recognize City Manager Rashad Young and city staff for working so quickly to identify the kind of projects that fit the guidelines for the stimulus dollars.

The city of Dayton projects identified for funding by Gov. Strickland are:

Downtown Gateway Improvements — $3.6 Million ($1 million from State; $2.6 million from MVRPC). Projected new jobs: 100

This project consists of sidewalk, curb, and curb ramp replacement, and asphalt resurfacing, on all streets in the Central Business District. It also includes the installation of landscaped gateway features on First Street (between Interstate-75 and Perry Street), Third Street (between I-75 and Perry street and between Wayne Avenue and Webster Street), Jefferson Street (between Third Street and Fifth Street), and Main Street (between Sixth Street and Franklin Street).

KROC Center Infrastructure Improvements — $400,000. Projected new jobs: 10

This project consists of sidewalk and curb replacement, and asphalt resurfacing, on Keowee Street and Webster Street at the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center (KROC Center).

2009 Thoroughfare Resurfacing Citywide — $1.4 million. Projected new jobs: 50

This project consists of asphalt resurfacing on the following streets: Cornell Drive from Wesleyan Road to Gettysburg Avenue, North Main Street from Great Miami Boulevard to Siebenthaler Avenue, Stanley Avenue from Helena Street to Keowee Street, East First Street from Keowee Street to Springfield Street, and Germantown Street from MacLin Street to McArthur Avenue

James H. McGee Boulevard Rehabilitation — $1.2 Million. Projected new jobs: 40

This project consists of concrete pavement joint replacement and asphalt resurfacing on James H. McGee Boulevard from U. S. 35 to Kammer Avenue.

Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal government allocated approximately $935.7 million to Ohio through the Federal Highway Administration for transportation projects.

Of that amount, $161.5 million was directly sub-allocated, based on federal formula, to Ohio's major metropolitan planning organizations.

To identify projects to be funded with the remaining $774.1 million, the state established the www.recovery.ohio.gov Web site, which allowed Ohio communities, municipalities, businesses and other entities to submit transportation project proposals. More than 4,600 highway, transit, rail and aviation project expressions of interest were submitted through this process.

A fifth Dayton project seeking funding for bikeway enhancements did not receive funding from the state. Dayton is still awaiting word on additional stimulus funding for projects submitted through other application processes, McLin said.