Rep. Frank’s Earmark Requests for Local Projects Total $40 Million
Earmarks
The New Bedford Standard-Times
Cristian Hernandez
Boston University Washington News Service
04/09/09
WASHINGTON—Rep. Barney Frank has requested more than $40 million in earmarks for local projects to be included in next year’s spending bills.
“Most of them are for economic development and creation of jobs for companies that are hiring in the south coast,” Frank said of the projects he has proposed for funding in the fiscal year 2010 appropriations bills.
The earmarks, disclosed in detail on Frank’s Web site, are for state and local projects, non-profits and for companies that do business in the 4th Congressional District.
The biggest-ticket item in the list of 24 requests is $7 million for the Muddy River restoration project. Mike Keegan, the project’s manager, said the flood-prevention project consists of three phases and will cost an estimated $80 million when completed. The work, being done by the Army Corps of Engineers, started in 2005.
Among the private companies that could receive funds is New Bedford-based software developer International Compliance Systems. The company could get $3.2 million to expand its mishap reduction system, which identifies potential risks for accidents in the military.
“It identifies where there are precursors and puts together action plans and tools,” said Steven Hemingway, the company’s president and owner. He said the money would help expand the system throughout the Department of Defense.
The Taunton Nursing Home could get a $1.5 million boost for renovations. The nursing home is looking to update the air conditioning system and to build a new kitchen.
“The support we get from the congressman is marvelous,” said John Brennan, the nursing home’s administrator. “The seniors who live here, they know this guy. He’s no stranger to the Taunton Nursing Home.”
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth could get up to $6 million, including $1 million for the Marine Renewable Energy Center. The university’s School for Marine Science and Technology would get $3 million for a fishery multi-species survey and $2 million for a scallop fishery assessment project.
“The purpose of the Renewable Energy Center is to aid in the development of ocean-based renewable energy,” said John Miller, the center’s director.
Other earmarks disclosed by the congressman include $4.9 million for Bristol County sewers, $2.5 million for electric drive train research, which would help extend the range of electric vehicles being developed by Vectrix Corp., and $1.5 million for a Mill River habitat restoration project.
Congress will work on the spending bills in the coming months and would be expected to pass them by Oct. 1, the beginning of the 2010 fiscal year. Not all of the requested earmarks are expected to be included in the final bills, according to the congressman’s Web site.
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