U.S. Mayors Say Local Infrastructure Projects Are Ready-To-Go: Would Create Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs and Spur National Economy

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The nation's mayors led by U.S. Conference of Mayors President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, today renewed their call for a MainStreet Recovery plan during the first 100 days of the new Administration.

In a press conference on Capitol Hill with House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Chair Charlie Rangel, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair James Oberstar and several other mayors, The Conference released its second report that inventories local 'ready-to-go' infrastructure projects - projects that could be started and completed in cities in just two calendar years -- if emergency federal funding were made available. Information on these projects has been submitted to the U.S. Conference of Mayors from hundreds of cities in all regions of the country and includes projects in ten different sectors including Community Development Block Grants, transit, highway infrastructure, green jobs, school modernization, public safety and public housing (see details at www.usmayors.org).

Mayors stressed that investing in MainStreet metropolitan economies, which comprise 90% of our gross domestic product and drive the national economy, is the most direct path to creating the jobs and stimulating the business that can begin to reverse the current economic downturn.

In this second installment, 427 cities reported a total of 11,391 infrastructure projects costing a total of $73 billion that would create 847,641 jobs.

"We stand ready to help President Elect Obama and the Congress create sustainable jobs that fix our crumbling infrastructure and promote energy independence," said U.S. Conference of Mayors President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz.

"But to work, we must make sure that the funding is spent quickly, and not stuck in federal or state bureaucracies," he continued.

"In today's world, metropolitan economies, which comprise 90% of our gross domestic product, drive the national economy. Washington has bailed out Wall Street to the tune of $700 billion and hopes its investment will eventually be returned to the taxpayer. But our survey shows that cities are 'ready-to-go' with infrastructure projects that will immediately employ people, support small businesses, and stimulate mainstreet economies. These are real jobs that will bring a guaranteed return on a federal investment in local economies," Diaz concluded.

This report of city infrastructure projects validates the Conference's recommendations to Congress for direct emergency recovery funds that cities can invest immediately in job creation, small business activity and lasting infrastructure improvements for Main Street America.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, "A year ago, when the nation's Mayors started talking about infrastructure it was not being discussed around kitchen tables in New York City or anywhere else in our country. Today, it's seen as a real way to grow the economy because this kind of stimulus is not a one-shot deal. In fact, monies invested through programs like infrastructure generate $1.50 or more per dollar spent. That's a welcome figure for anyone concerned about balancing a budget, making a payroll, funding needed services or any combination of the three. And Charlie Rangel understands that and is working to help Mayors and the cities they lead get started now. Every city here has projects that are ready to move -- projects that have been vetted locally, funded locally and will employ locally. Stimulating the economy in this way will not only leave a valuable asset behind, but will spur real growth."

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel (NY), who joined the mayors and supports their effort has said, "When Congress develops a stimulus plan, it is very important we do not forget the very hard times our cities are having meeting the needs of their residents. That is why I am meeting the Mayors of several of our major cities to make sure urban needs are addressed."

"As the unemployment numbers show, the job situation is dire and getting significantly worse. As each month passes, we are reminded of the rapid deterioration of the long-term job outlook for Americans. Our metropolitan economies desperately need help at the Main Street level, and the mayors' MainStreet Recovery plan is the answer," said Tom Cochran, Conference CEO and Executive Director.

The first mayors' report on local 'ready-to-go' projects, released on Nov. 14, showed that 154 identified a total of 4,645 infrastructure projects costing a total of $25 billion that would create 261,652 jobs in metro areas. The Conference plans to continue to gather information from cities around the country on their 'ready-to-go' jobs projects.

Other mayors joining the press conference were Trenton, NJ Mayor Doug Palmer, Akron, OH Mayor Don Plusquellic, Stamford, CT Mayor Dan Malloy, Dallas, TX Mayor Thomas Leppert, Providence, RI Mayor David Cicilline, Honolulu, HI Mayor Mufi Hanneman and Bowling Green, KY Mayor Elaine Walker.

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Fayetteville Main Street Receives 2008 National Main Street Accreditation

Fayetteville Main Street has been accredited as a 2008 National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center@. Fayetteville joins over 700 other Main StreetTM revitalization programs being recognized as 2008 National Main Street Programs. Each year, the National Trust Main Street Center and its coordinating program partners announce the list of accredited National Main Street Programs around the country that have demonstrated their ability to follow the Main Street methodology.

"We congratulate this year's accredited National Main Street Programs for meeting our established performance standards," says Doug Loescher, director of the National Trust Main Street Center. "Rebuilding a district's economic health and maintaining that success requires broad-based community involvement and support, in addition to establishing a solid organization with sound management that is committed to long-term success."

The National Trust Main Street Center works in partnership with Coordinating Main Street Programs throughout the nation to identify the local programs that meet the National Trust Main Street Center's ten basic performance standards. These standards set the benchmarks for measuring an individual Main Street program's application of the Main Street Four-Point ApproachTM to commercial district revitalization. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as developing a mission, fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking economic progress, and preserving historic buildings. For more information on the National Main Street Program accreditation, visit www.mainstreet.org/nationalprograms.

The organization's performance was evaluated by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ Office of Downtown Development, which is the coordinating organization for Main Street programs in Georgia.

“It’s an honor for downtown Fayetteville’s efforts to be nationally recognized for the sixth year in a row,” said Lane Brown, Main Street Chairman. “The improvements to downtown can be visibly seen and experienced and this past year reflects our success and we’re proud of what our downtown has to offer individuals and families.”

Since 1980, the National Trust Main Street Center has helped hundreds of downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts across the nation reclaim the unique quality of life that only a thriving community center can provide. Through the Main Street Four-Point Approach to commercial district revitalization, which combines historic preservation and economic development, the Center has forged a nationwide movement for the revival of America's historic and traditional commercial districts. The Center provides a nationwide membership network, comprehensive on-site consulting services, in-depth seminars and conferences, technical publications and training materials, and national advocacy for commercial districts.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the-places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history - and the important moments of everyday life - took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America's stories. For more information, visit www.preservationnation.org