Hernando Could See Stimulus Money

Hernando County government leaders say it is difficult to speculate on how much money if any Hernando County will receive as part of President-elect Obama's proposed multi-billion dollar economic stimulus package.

More light could be shed this month when Obama's advisors and Congress work out the nuts and bolts of the plan.

On Monday, Obama took the first steps toward crafting that plan by meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others.

But County Commissioner David Russell said Monday he is hopeful that when the dust clears, Hernando County will get a chunk of that money, now estimated to be close to $775 billion.

"I believe we are well-positioned, if not better, than most counties in the state of Florida," Russell said. "We have some very defined projects that are ready to go and that seems to be one of the major requirements of any stimulus package that's being proffered at this time."

Last month, county department officials submitted a 'wish list' of capital improvement projects that is scheduled to come before county commissioners later this month.

The county list includes funding for 44 capital improvement projects totaling millions of dollars.

Everything from roads, to the planned judicial center (estimated cost: $75 million) is on the list. Even the Hernando Beach dredge project is on there, at an estimated cost of $9 million.

Russell said one of the projects that should fit in handily with the intent of Obama's stimulus package is the County Line Road widening. The reason: a joint partnership with Pasco County that could lead to economic development.

Pasco County Administrator John Gallagher told Hernando Today last month he will add County Line Road to his county's "wish list" of capital road improvement projects and vowed to work jointly with Hernando County in seeking federal stimulus funds to facilitate long-awaited improvements.

Gallagher's only caveats are that Hernando County include County Line Road in its own "wish list" of projects and that the road be "shovel-ready," or primed for development in the next six to nine months.

With three governmental entities committed to the County Line Road Project - Pasco and Hernando counties as well as the Florida Department of Transportation - it should boost the likelihood of obtaining federal stimulus money, according to County Engineer Charles Mixson.

That money would go to counties who have committed projects that could prove a boon in stimulating the economy.

County Commissioner Rose Rocco agreed the partnership with Pasco County on the County Line Road project, along with the continued working relationship with the city of Brooksville, will enhance Hernando County's chances in getting federal money to help stimulate the economy and create jobs.

Job creation is the key, she said.

"The partnership shows we're working together (to) meet the goals and doing so in a cost-effective way," she said.