Web tool lets you track federal stimulus fund spending

State program pinpoints where the money is going and how it will be used

Pamplin Media Group, Mar 23, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Where are your federal stimulus dollars being spent in Oregon? A new state Web site helps you find out.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski opened the new Web site Monday, to track how state and local governments are spending federal stimulus dollars provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“I am committed to ensuring that Oregon taxpayers know how their dollars are being spent to create jobs and economic opportunities through the federal stimulus bill passed last month,” Kulongoski said.

Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the Web site displays where the $323 million in federal stimulus transportation dollars is being invested. Also displayed is the Legislature’s $175 million stimulus package known as Go Oregon! that will pay for deferred maintenance of buildings and facilities owned by the state, universities and community colleges.

A new version of the tracking tool provides have more detailed information, including the exact location of projects, dollars invested and the number of jobs created.

“This is a work in progress,” Kulongoski said. “As more dollars flow into Oregon as part of the national recovery effort, we will continue to update the database so Oregonians know exactly how much Oregon has received, where it has been distributed, and the economic benefits it has delivered.”

At the same time, the state has created an economic recovery executive team to coordinate the use of stimulus funds coming to Oregon. Brian Shipley, one of Kulongoski’s deputy chiefs of staff will lead the team. Other members include state employees from agencies who are familiar with the state programs funded by the federal money.

The economic recovery executive team also will work with The Oregon Way Advisory Group, a public-private group created to showcase “green” projects across the state.

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