In response to the current economic crisis, regional leaders in the six-county Sacramento region have developed a broad, coordinated strategy to better position regional infrastructure projects for funding from the proposed federal stimulus package. Now, they call upon Congress and the President to move forward with a stimulus bill that creates real jobs, long-lasting assets and sends funds directly to the region for those projects.

Working over the last two months, public and private leaders from more than 70 organizations compiled infrastructure projects that—with federal funding—can almost immediately help put thousands of people to work in the Sacramento six-county region.

“The Sacramento region’s strategy for positioning economic recovery projects is a milestone achievement for the region and for continued regional cooperation,” said Matt Mahood, Sacramento Metro Chamber president & CEO, at a news conference with other regional leaders.

The region’s construction projects are worth billions of dollars in potential funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. With this historic effort, the region stands ready to receive funds directly from the federal government to begin the work.

“The regional team effort must continue to ensure funding is realized,” Mahood said. “Given our region has the know-how, experience and tradition of working with the federal government on regional priorities, we urge our elected leaders in Washington to act. We need a bill that creates real jobs and long-lasting assets for our country and strategically sends the funds to the local and regional level. This is critical so we can put Californians and Americans back to work immediately.”

History of Regional Collaboration

Over the past 30 years, public and private entities working together have made the region a national leader in regional collaboration—setting regional priorities and achieving state and federal support for those priorities. This collaboration provides the region with a competitive advantage.

“We are innovative in the area of true integration of land use, housing, transportation and air quality planning,” Mahood said, citing the example of the Sacramento Area Council of Government’s Blueprint land-use strategy. “In addition, the six-county Sacramento region has a proven track record of delivering infrastructure projects on time and on budget. This track record will allow us to be well positioned to receive funding that puts people back to work—completing our projects quickly and on budget.”

What Regional Leaders Are Saying

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson: “In this time of crisis, citizens across the region are looking for leadership and collaboration. I am committed to working alongside my colleagues to make sure the Sacramento region gets its fair share of the stimulus funding.”

Supervisor Susan Peters, Chair of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors: “Sacramento County is working hard as part of this important regional effort to develop a plan that includes projects that will revitalize our economy, create jobs and provide lasting benefits in our community. I am hopeful that Congress and the Administration will devise a plan to get the stimulus money to our region and others nationwide as quickly as possible.”

West Sacramento Mayor Chris Cabaldon: “The communities of the Sacramento region stand ready to deliver proven projects that will not only create jobs and sustain local businesses, but create enduring public assets that protect public safety and sharpen our economic competitiveness. And we can do it immediately.

“Four generations ago, the first major federal stimulus program, the New Deal, built the Tower Bridge, easing cross-river commerce and transportation and paving the way for decades of metropolitan economic growth.

“Our economic stimulus requests are simple—they create jobs, keep local companies strong, and can start immediately. We need stimulus funding for our local roads, public transportation, and to improve the movement of goods through our community. We need stimulus funding for our flood protection projects and to increase the capacity of our Port. And we have an unmatched record of delivering major projects on time and on budget.

“We arrived at this point, with stimulus-ready projects, because we have a need and our region is ready. We are very grateful for the regional cooperation, resulting from quick effort to identify and deliver projects. We are appreciative of the Metro Chamber and SACOG for leading communities throughout the region to a strategic investment to strengthen our local and national economy.”

Sacramento Regional Transit General Manager Mike Wiley: “The Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) has anticipated the opportunity to receive stimulus funding, and is focused and prepared to deliver shovel-ready capital projects that will have a tremendous economic and environmental impact on the Sacramento region. Accelerating the construction of the South Line Phase 2 light rail extension and key infrastructure projects will create new jobs and improve mobility throughout the region.”

Los Rios Chancellor Brice Harris: “Community Colleges are one of the most important and effective economic engines in our region. A community college education puts people to work in jobs that are vibrant parts of our economy—nurses, police and fire professionals, and technical professionals in the growing green energy industry. Investing stimulus dollars in community college projects will be sound investments in building long-term assets for the region and in building the human capital of our citizens.”

Sacramento State President Dr. Alex Gonzalez: “We have come together as leaders to demonstrate our immediate readiness to strategically invest in our infrastructure, create jobs and build the innovative workforce that will lead our region back to prosperity.”

Today’s News Conference Site
The news conference held today in West Sacramento is at the location of six infrastructure projects that are visible proof of the region’s ability to collaborate.

Projects At the Site Ready for Construction:

• West Capitol Avenue Streetscape Project – Phase Two (Stimulus Project)—This project would be a continuation of the improvements currently underway between Garden Street and Jefferson Boulevard. The project has final construction drawings and certified CEQA and NEPA reviews, is ready for bidding, and can be ready to begin initial work within 120 days. It will create more than 400 new construction-related jobs.

• Community/Senior Center (Stimulus Project)—The new West Sacramento Community Center is driven by the community’s need for a place to provide human services to West Sacramento citizens. The multigenerational
center will include day care and senior services. This two-story, 21,500-square- foot project will be ready to begin construction within 60 days and will create 150 new construction jobs.

• Regional Transit Center—The multi-modal transit center will include six bus berths, passenger amenities and future access to a regional street car linking downtown Sacramento with West Sacramento across the Tower Bridge. It is a joint project of the city of West Sacramento, Yolo County Transit District, Sacramento Regional Transit and the Federal Transit Administration.

Community Projects Under Construction On This Site:

• Los Rios Community College Campus—This building is a regional higher education project between the state of California, Los Rios Community College District and the city of West Sacramento. Funding comes from the state of California, Education Bond Initiatives and the city of West Sacramento. The three-story facility will house education programs for more than 300 students and staff.

• Arthur F. Turner Community Library—This library is a joint regional project of the county of Yolo, the city of West Sacramento and community groups. Funding comes from the county, city and private donations. The 18,000-square-foot facility is the first new community library in over 30 years.

• West Capitol Avenue Streetscape Project – Phase One—This is a regional partnership and transportation project uniting the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, federal transportation agencies, Yolo County and the city of West Sacramento. This project refurbishes a small portion of Historic Highway 40, improves goods movement, and provides construction of future streetcar and other public transportation improvements.


News about the progress of the region’s highlighted projects and other federal stimulus information will be available at www.metrochamber.org/federalstimulus.