Recovery Act funds go to new research institute at Georgetown University. “Last week, President John DeGioia was joined by Dean Chester Gillis, National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) Director Patrick Gallagher, and Board of Advisors Chair Alice O’Connor Funk to officially break ground on Georgetown’s new Science Center.  Construction of the Science Center, which is expected to be finished in 2012, was supported by a $6.9 million award granted by the NIST and funded by a federal stimulus program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  In return for accepting the NIST award, the Science Center will become the headquarters of the Institute for Soft Matter and Synthesis. ‘As we take Georgetown into its third century, we are laying the foundation for the future with this new building,’ DeGioia said during Tuesday’s ceremony. ‘It will be a place where faculty and students will make new scientific discoveries, engage in world-class research and learn.’” [Vox Populi, 5/25/10] 

Georgetown University received Recovery Act funding to construct a state-of-the-art, LEED certified science center that will include green features.  “Georgetown broke ground May 5 for a $100 million, state-of-the-art science center.  Slated for completion in 2012, the five-story building will be a research and teaching center for the biology, chemistry and physics departments.  Its teaching labs and other spaces have been designed to maximize collaboration and interdisciplinary research.  The building will be designed to include ‘green’ features to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification.  The science center is supported in part by a $6.9 million award from the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act… The NIST funding will establish the Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology at the science center.  Several Georgetown faculty members have expertise in soft matter research, which studies the biological properties of materials such as liquid crystals, colloids, polymers, foams and gels.” [Georgetown University Press Release, 5/6/10]

An apartment complex in southeast DC will receive energy efficient upgrades thanks to Recovery Act funding.  “The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will invest $1.5 million in stimulus funds in a Southeast D.C. apartment complex to improve its energy efficiency and indoor air quality, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan announced Thursday.  Work at the Garfield Hills Apartments, a 94-unit complex at 2301 Hartford St. SE, will include installation of energy-efficient lighting and bathroom faucets, green floor coverings, formaldehyde-free bathroom cabinets, and EnergyStar thermostats, kitchen range exhaust hoods, refrigerators and bathroom exhaust fans.  ‘I am proud to announce this funding on Earth Day because not only will it improve the quality of life for Garfield Hills residents, but will also lower energy costs and create quality green jobs at the same time.’ Donovan said in a statement.  ‘This is an example of the kind of long-term, fundamental impact the Recovery Act is having on America’s economy through clean energy investments.’  The improvements made through the grant, HUD claims, will cut utility costs for Garfield Hills residents by 21 percent and create green construction jobs.” [Washington Business Journal, 4/22/10]

Recovery Act will fund National Mall, Reflecting Pool improvements: a new water system, improved sidewalks, and two new handicap-accessible paths.  “The National Mall's Reflecting Pool will close for up to two years for renovations after the National Capital Planning Commission approved plans April 1 to rehabilitate the area surrounding the Lincoln Memorial.  The dirt pathways surrounding the pool will be replaced with a paved 13-foot perimeter and the pool's water will come from the Tidal Basin, rather than D.C. city water, according to National Park Service plans… Bill Line, an NPS spokesman, said the project will cost $30.5 million… The project will install a new water system, similar to that of a swimming pool, so there will no longer be stagnant water in the Reflecting Pool… Updates to lighting, benches and trash containers are expected to be made on the outer sides of the walks, according to plans.  The National Park Service also proposed adding 30-inch high retaining walls and 36-inch tall bollards - short vertical posts - as part of the plans for the area… Two new, handicap-accessible paths were also approved to connect the pool with Lincoln Memorial Circle.  Beyond the Reflecting Pool, the plans call to repave The Elm Walks… Permanent lighting will be installed along these pathways, Line said.”  [GW Hatchet, 4/8/10]

A Georgetown University expert will use Recovery Act funds to create and implement a database that prevents gene naming duplication.  “The gene-naming process can lend itself to duplication, but clinical informatics expert Hongfang Liu has created an easier way for researchers to identify specific genes.  Liu developed the BioThesaurus mapping system nearly five years ago to help scientists avoid naming genes and proteins that have already been named or giving genes and proteins names already in use.  Now, she’s using recent federal stimulus grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to further enhance the Web-based system… Scientists use BioThesaurus to find particular genes relevant to their research.  The online resource consists of more than 2.8 million names extracted from multiple molecular biological databases… The researcher is working toward her goal with a $1.2 million two-year NIH grant and a $843,000 NSF grant, awarded this academic year as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.” [Georgetown University News, 3/16/10]

Two Washington-area universities received Recovery Act funds to construct complex science centers.  “Two local universities have received a combined $17.2 million in stimulus funding to help build new scientific research facilities.  Out of $123 million total awarded by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology to construct new centers for complex scientific study, the University of Maryland won $10.3 million and Georgetown University won $6.9 million. In all, 11 universities and one nonprofit earned stimulus money nationwide, and the projects are expected to generate more than $250 million in construction work starting this year… [A] new $55.7 million Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology, will be part of a planned new Science Research Building on Georgetown University’s main campus in D.C. The center will focus on soft matter, including liquid crystals, gels, polymers, foams and other biological materials. The project is expected to finish construction by summer 2012. In other stimulus awards, NIST disbursed nearly $1.5 million to George Mason University to help study how cryptographic algorithms work in complex hardware devices. Johns Hopkins University received a similarly sized grant to help develop new imaging technologies for 3D microscopy.” [Washington Business Journal, 1/8/10]

Local federal contractors receive a large portion of Recovery Act funds, partly explaining “why the Washington area DC is weathering the recession so well.”  “Reports from stimulus recipients show that a sizable sum has gone to federal contractors in the Washington area who are helping implement the initiative – in effect, they are being paid a hefty slice of the money to help spend the rest of it… The Energy Department is paying Technology & Management Services, a Gaithersburg firm, $6.9 million to review applications for renewable energy loan guarantees.  The Department of Homeland Security awarded Deloitte Consulting's Arlington branch $8.6 million to provide ‘program management and support’ for the stimulus plan's $1 billion airport security initiative, and gave McKing Consulting, a Fairfax firm, a $1.5 million contract to review applications for fire department construction funding.  Held against the total stimulus package, the contracts represent a relatively small portion of spending. But they help explain why the Washington area is weathering the recession so well… It is only natural that a surge in government spending would benefit local contractors, said Dave Gallerizzo, a principal at Fig Leaf Software, which won a $1.1 million Interior Department contract to build a computer system for stimulus funding recipients to report back to the government.  That enabled Fig Leaf to hire three more people at its office in the District.” [Washington Post, 12/3/09]

Thanks to the Recovery Act, 680-800 more D.C. households will keep a roof over their heads; D.C. will use these federal stimulus funds to battle homelessness.  “The District will begin disbursing about $7.5 million in federal stimulus money this week to put homeless families back in housing and help those struggling to remain in their homes, city officials said Monday.  City housing officials say the money will help 680 to 800 D.C. households.  The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program funds, awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in July, will help some families pay overdue rent and others pay past-due utility bills.  Homeless families could receive a rent subsidy for up to 18 months.   At a news conference in Southeast Washington, where many families have lost their homes, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) said the city will use the program to respond ‘to urgent housing needs in the District.  We look forward to supporting District residents' efforts to secure safe and comfortable homes’… Laura Zeilinger, assistant director of the Department of Human Services, said the program is a new tool that allows the city to help low-income people who would otherwise become homeless… The city's nonprofit subcontractors are also some of its largest shelter providers:  Catholic Charities' Southeast Family Center, Community of Hope, the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness and Housing Counseling Services… The Department of Human Services, which helps keep city homeless shelters operating with about $40 million in service contracts, will manage the program.  About $2.4 million will put people who lost their jobs and homes into housing.” [Washington Post, 12/1/09]

Theater Alliance, one of DC’s 18 arts organizations benefiting from the Recovery Act, will use this funding to save the job of its artistic director.  “Theater Alliance has received a $12,500 grant through the federal stimulus program in order to fund half the salary of its artistic director, Paul Douglas Michnewicz.  ‘I was in danger of being laid off,’ explained Michnewicz.  ‘Theater Alliance only employs one full-time person and that’s me.  I’m the one writing the grants that keeps us going and paying the bills, so it was a pretty simple argument to make.’  Theatre Alliance was one of 18 D.C.-based arts organization to receive grants of up to $25,000 each from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act… During his time as artistic director, Michnewicz spearheaded the elimination of $100,000 worth of debt owed by the theater.  Showing a history of good financial management, and arguing how theaters are an economic engine for neighborhoods helped him get the grant, he believes.  Theater Alliance was the first performing arts company to locate to the H. Street NE corridor, which now hosts such facilities as the Atlas Performing Arts Center.” [Washington Business Journal, 11/11/09]

Recovery Act funds for water infrastructure projects in the District will boost economy, create jobs and protect public health.  “In a move that stands to create jobs, boost the local economy, and protect human health and the environment for the people in the District of Columbia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today it has awarded more than $38.9 million to improve aging water infrastructure in the District.  This new infusion of money provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will help the District Department of the Environment, and DC Water and Sewer Authority finance water projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment.  ‘This funding will support green infrastructure projects in the District of Columbia, serving to protect the environment, and creating job opportunities,’ said William C. Early, acting administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region…” [EPA, 10/20/09]

Recovery Act funds will help a local a nonprofit, Casey Trees, to hire four people and increase the city’s tree canopy; another nearly $4 million will go toward building more than 100,000 square feet of green roofs on dc buildings, libraries, and firehouses.  “The District government and its water utility will receive a combined $38.9 million in stimulus funding for projects that stem excess dirty storm water runoff and upgrade the water distribution network’s piping around the city… A roughly $500,000 chunk of that would help Casey Trees, a D.C. not-for-profit whose mission is to increase the city’s tree canopy, hire another four people under this plan.  Another nearly $4 million would go toward building more than 100,000 square feet of green roofs on city buildings, including libraries, firehouses and a demonstration project atop the parking garage deck at University of the District of Columbia.  The stimulus funds would also expand the city’s green roof rebate program to allow residents and small businesses to afford another 20,000 square feet of private green roof space.   Though, the stimulus funds would cover only a portion of these projects, which total nearly $21 million in estimated development costs.  Finally, in addition to things like water-saving toilets in schools, rain harvesting and reuse tanks on city fire trucks, and water collection and irrigation tactics at local parks, DDOE proposes to use $5.7 million of the stimulus funding for restoration projects at Watts Branch and other parts of the sewer system to reduce the amount of polluted storm water that ends up in the Anacostia River.  In that vein, D.C. WASA said it would use its $24 million in stimulus funds for rehab work on its wastewater management system, replacing water mains, valves, piping and other equipment to improve water quality.” [Washington Business Journal, 10/20/09]

Amtrak will use Recovery Act funds to boost reliability by replacing transformers that have been in service for 75 years.  “Amtrak recently obtained $25 million in stimulus funding to replace transformers and other electrical equipment – some of which pre-dates World War II – at 40 substations that provide power for electrified tracks between New York City and Washington, D.C.  In 2002, Amtrak launched a long-term program aimed at upgrading and modernizing 82 substations along the Northeast Corridor.  In 2006, the railroad experienced a power failure between New York and D.C. that left thousands of passengers stranded on trains.  The federal funding will help Amtrak accelerate the substation modernization program and support projects in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and D.C. the next few years.  In addition, Amtrak will install devices designed to self-monitor key substation operations and identify potential problems. [Progressive Railroading, 10/19/09]

Recovery Act loans boost seven D.C.-area small companies.  “Seven local small businesses have taken advantage of loans that the federal stimulus legislation makes available to companies struggling with interest payments on existing qualified loans.  The program, which allows existing small companies to apply for loans of up to $35,000, is intended to keep businesses afloat and encourage lending. Gaithersburg-based LIC Lighting Supply Co., D.C.-based Capital Design Group Inc. and Lanham-based Proctor Auto Service Center LLC are among the companies that received the maximum loan amount.  The other loan recipients are Crystal Press Inc. in D.C., Applied Wireless in Rockville, Oasis Mechanical Contractors Inc. in Lanham and Herndon Florist Inc.  The America’s Recovery Capital government-guaranteed, interest-free loans got off to a slow start in June, but are picking up speed.  A total of 2,774 loans had made nationwide as of Sept. 28.” [Washington Business Journal, 10/9/09]

Thanks to $2.8 million in Recovery Act funds, DC will create up to 400 full and part-time transportation jobs and revamp the DC Green Summer Jobs Corps.  “The D.C. Department of Transportation’s Urban Forestry Administration (UFA) won $2.8 million in stimulus funding for projects that could create up to 400 full and part-time jobs.  ‘This is what the stimulus money was intended to do — to put people to work,’ said DDOT Director Gabe Klein. DDOT, in partnership with the nonprofit Washington Parks & People, will use about $2.7 million to create an entity that provides a city-wide gateway to 50 different green career tracks in urban and community forestry, forest-based ecosystems and watershed restoration, said DDOT.  The entity – called DC Green Corps – will be based at the new Marvin Gaye Community Greening Center in the Watts Branch sub-watershed of the Anacostia River. DDOT, along with the D.C. Department of the Environment, also received $90,000 for the Mayor’s Green Summer Job Corps.  Under the program, about 100 D.C. teenagers will work with UFA’s tree teams in such areas as data collection and maintenance of trees.” [Washington Business Journal, 9/18/09]

Recovery Act funds will allow the DC weatherization program to improve approximately 785 homes.  “The District of Columbia will provide assistance to low-income Washington, D.C. residents through its $8.1 million weatherization program.  The program is federally funded, being part of a United States Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy grant to the District of Columbia, under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.  The general load of the D.C. weatherization program traditionally aided 400 homes.  Though with this new funding, approximately 785 homes will receive assistance to cover a variety of energy waste, heating and cooling loss issues – such as window and door replacements; insulation installation and weatherstripping; and HVAC equipment repair… Weatherization is an effort that enhances energy efficiency as well as yields energy and cost savings.” [Examiner.com, 8/24/09] 

Recovery Act funding going to Retain ICF Incorporated LLC for national rural broadband initiative.  “Up to $27 million in federal stimulus dollars will be going to ICF Incorporated LLC to help implement the USDA Rural Development, Rural Utilities Service Broadband Initiatives Program.  ICF Incorporated is a subsidiary of ICF International (NASDAQ:ICFI).  The new multi-year contract is valued at up to $27 million and is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  The ICF team will support the Broadband Initiatives Program with program administration, application processing, post-award monitoring, program reporting, communications and outreach and technical assistance.  In a statement Andrew Zehe, ICF principal and program manager said: ‘We are mobilizing our experience in a wide variety of areas, including rapid program deployment, broadband technologies, and federal lending procedures, to support the provision of this critical infrastructure for rural America.’” [Washington Business Journal, 8/5/09]

Washington D.C. jobs receive most benefit from Recovery Act.  “The recently-passed federal economic stimulus plan will create more jobs in Washington, D.C. than anywhere else in the country.  Cassidy & Pinkard Colliers recently released a report stating that the greater Washington area will benefit the most from the Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  According to an article by GlobeSt.com, this is not a surprise, as generally when the economy reaches a recession, population growth in the D.C. area exceeds other cities by 15 to 20 percent.  That means the stimulus, which amounts to $787 billion overall, will garner more jobs and needed office space for Washington, D.C.” [jobfetch.com, accessed 6/15/09]

Smithsonian Institution Recovery Act plans create District jobs and get millions of dollars of projects underway.  Projects include $4.6 million of work on the Arts and Industries Building, involving masonry repointing of failed joints to stop the ingress of water and hazardous material removal and selective demolition.  The $11.4 million in Recovery Act funding for the National Zoological Park will go towards fire protection projects, replacement of roofs, and repair of bridges at Rock Creek campus.  And another $9 million is devoted to other project, including the installation of high-voltage electrical safety improvements at multiple locations on the National Mall and refurbishment of elevators and escalators at the National Air and Space Museum and National Museum of American History. [Smithsonian Institution, accessed 6/15/09]

National Park Service announces major National Capital Region Recovery Act projects.  “We are excited that Recovery Act projects will help us improve the standard of care in the National Capital Region’s parks.  We will be able to improve the condition of our park resources and provide a better quality experience for visitors… We are committed to managing the funds with the highest level of accountability while creating much needed jobs.”  Projects in the District include:  Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool repairs and improved handicapped access and irrigation ($30.5 million); District of Columbia War Memorial restoration, including restoring lighting systems, correcting water drainage systems, and restoring the landscape to allow the memorial to be used as a bandstand ($7.3 million); to rehabilitate historic bridle trails at Rock Creek Park rehabilitation of historic bridle trails ($585,000); and George Washington Memorial Parkway rehabilitation of trails and plant removals ($415,000). [Department of Interior, 4/22/09]

The District Department of the Environment will receive over $8 million in Recovery Act funds for its Weatherization Assistance Program.  At their request, DDOE Weatherization Program staff will perform energy audits on the homes of low-income residents and contract with community-based organizations to undertake audit-recommended measures (i.e., window or door repair or replacement, installation of insulation, replacement of old appliances) to reduce energy costs in those homes.  Over the next three years, DDOE plans to use the Recovery Act funds to make energy improvements to approximately 785 homes. [DC Recovery Site, accessed 6/15/09]

District Department of the Environment proposes to use Recovery Act funds for "clean diesel" projects.  The plan to utilize $1.7 million in formula-based funds to reduce diesel emissions in the District focuses on two discrete initiatives: 1) alternative fuel vehicle purchases and 2) a public education campaign geared towards ensuring that truck and bus companies operating in the District, District government employees, and residents are aware of the District’s no idling regulation. [DC Recovery Site, accessed 6/15/09]

District receives increase in Medicaid funds under Recovery Act.  The District will receive additional federal matching funds to support the Medicaid program. Medicaid is a joint District-federal program that provides health care for low-income District of Columbia residents who meet certain program requirements. Medicaid provides comprehensive health care services to more than 150,000 District children and adults.  With increased federal matching funds, the District’s Department of Health Care Finance is protecting residents’ access to health care services despite a challenging economic climate. [DC Recovery Site, accessed 6/15/09]

District recommends Anacostia River pollution prevention projects to EPA for Recovery Act funding. [DC Recovery Site, accessed 6/15/09]

District submits application for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund as part of the Recovery Act.  The SFSF funds represent the largest direct grant the District will automatically receive through the Recovery Act–$89.3M–and will be used over the next three years to support public education, housing assistance, and other essential government services.  Mayor Fenty:  “Reforming education in the District has been, and continues to be, the number one priority of my Administration.  We are actively taking advantage of all available funding sources to further our goal of ensuring the best education for all District students, and we are especially pleased about this new source of funds.” [DC Recovery Site, accessed 6/15/09]

District receives $194,300 in Recovery Act funds for water quality management planning.  The first project is to revise and update the District of Columbia Water Pollution Control Contingency Plan, and the second is to develop required Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) standards for pollutants that are detected in local impaired waterways. [DC Recovery Site, accessed 6/15/09]

District files plan for use of Recovery Act funds for homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing program.  These funds will be used to provide direct housing subsidies, where appropriate, as well as an array of supportive services. [DC Recovery Site, accessed 6/15/09]

DC Rehabilitation Services Administration to receive $1.9 million in Recovery Act funds to assist disabled residents in securing employment.  In addition, under the Act’s Independent Living State Grant program, the District will receive an additional $242,913 to support the expansion and enhancement of independent living services for eligible District residents. [DC Recovery Site, accessed 6/15/09]

District agencies apply for over $5 million in Recovery Act grants for crime control, youth violence prevention, victim assistance.  The Metropolitan Police Department and Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services have submitted six applications to the US Department of Justice funding under the Recovery Act for a number of high-priority law enforcement and juvenile justice related projects.  The applications requested funding in excess of $5 million. [DC Recovery Site, accessed 6/15/09]

District receives Recovery Act funds for assistance to victims of crime.  The District has awarded Recovery Act funding to victim assistance programs to offset personnel costs associated with individuals who provide direct services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse and survivors of homicide.  Recipients include WEAVE, Children’s National Medical Center, DC Rape Crisis Center, DC SANE Program, and the Wendt Center. [DC Recovery Site, accessed 6/15/09]

U.S. Labor Department to release $9.2m in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to District through the Recovery Act.  The District of Columbia qualified for the Recovery Act funds by allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to qualify for benefits. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis:  “The District of Columbia’s long-standing decision to use recent wages when determining eligibility for benefits helps to ensure that the needs of the 21st century labor force are met.  It is the right thing to do for workers and is good for economic recovery.” [DC Recovery Site, accessed 6/15/09]

Start of first transportation Recovery Act project for the District announced.  “The Fenty Administration along with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and the USDOT Federal Highway Administration today announced work has started on the first transportation related American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) project for the District. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) began work this weekend on the repaving of the Southeast/Southwest Freeway (I-395).” [DC DOT, 4/27/09]

DC Department of Health receives Recovery Act funding to purchase vaccine.  “The funding will allow DC to address the fact that it is still behind the rest of the country for adult immunizations.  In the District, the 2007 adult vaccination rate for the flu was 60.2 percent compared to 72 percent nationally.  The funds will be used to purchase commonly needed vaccines to protect residents from diseases such as influenza (the "flu"), pneumococci (common cause of pneumonia), tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis A and B, and zoster (shingles).  DOH will also create an Adult Immunization Coordinator to ensure that the vaccines are being distributed and reaching the populations that would not otherwise have access to them.”  [DC DOH, 4/23/09]

The General Services Administration plans to spend more than $1 billion of its Recovery Act funding for government buildings in the District of Columbia.  “D.C. would be the nation's top beneficiary of GSA spending, with $1.2 billion – more than one-fifth of the total $5.5 billion – coming to the nation's capital. It is unclear when GSA will officially release the list; agency officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. The region's building industry has been anxiously awaiting the list of projects, hoping to get a piece of the federal pie designed to bring the country out of recession.” [Washington Business Journal, 3/31/09]