Despite Ketchum's request for $11.1 million in federal stimulus money to fund five projects, the city will be left empty handed if the Idaho Legislature approves a recommendation by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter on how to spend the government-provided funding.
At the beginning of the month, Ketchum proposed the development of Guyer Hot Springs as a geothermal heat source, completion of the Fourth Street Heritage Corridor, redevelopment of the parking lot in Town Plaza, development of a wastewater reuse system and continued operation of the city's Wi-Fi network.
As estimated in the submittal, those projects could create more than 200 design and construction jobs, and more than 20 long-term positions.
But with Otter's plan, most of the stimulus money will be channeled to transportation projects, with $1.6 million possibly coming for Blaine County public transportation programs.
The federal American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed by President Barack Obama in mid-February, provides $787 billion to create jobs and jumpstart economic growth throughout the United States. Idaho's share of the stimulus package is expected to be a little more than $1 billion.
Under Otter's recommendation, the regional Idaho Transportation Department district covering Blaine, Camas and Lincoln counties is tabbed to receive just over $1,614,000. Around $70,000 of that would go to Sun Valley for the construction of five bus shelters.
"Basically, no money is falling to the cities," Ketchum Community and Economic Development Director Lisa Horowitz said. "We will make our proposals again if we have the opportunity."
Horowitz said the city might be able to receive funding through state agencies as the stimulus funding process continues, but was pessimistic about the chance of any money coming to Ketchum in the near future.
Jon Duval: jduval@mtexpress.com
