MDOT shared with the League, a letter they've sent to the Metropolitian Planning Organizations (MPO's), the Rural Task Force (RTF's) and the Small Urban Program regarding the impending Federal Ecnonomic Stimulus Package.  The letter was asking that that these folks do what they can now to make sure that we're ready to allocate funds when Congress finally passes the bill.

 I wanted to share the following quote from the letter: 

Because of the 'use it or lose it' provision of the proposed (federal) law, we know there are questions about how we will prepare in the event that a community fails to deliver an intended project.  Local agencies will have to comply with the appropriate MPO, RTF, and Small Urban Program guidelines for project identification and selection ... Michigan will not leave any money on the table for redistribution to other state; if local governments are not able to use all their stimulus funds, MDOT is prepared to use them."

Keep in mind that under the federal bill as it read today, projects will need to be obligated within 90 - 120 days of enactment of the federal bill.

So, I just want to remind all MML members, if you have projects that will qualify for federal stimulus money, make sure you are doing all you can now NOW and work with your MPO, RTF, or Small Urban Program folks to get your projects approved so we don't end up giving MDOT any of our money.

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