Washington tribes awarded $1.2 million in Recovery Act funding to expand transit

For Immediate Release: December 17, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced that five American Indian tribes in Washington state will receive funding for transit programs from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The five projects totaling approximately $1.2 million were among the 39 highest-rated projects selected for Recovery Act Tribal Transit grants by the Federal Transit Administration. The majority of the funds will purchase new buses and improve tribal transit service in urban and rural areas by expanding service to underserved areas and making new connections to existing routes.

�Transit empowers communities,� Gregoire said. �People in underserved areas will now have better access to regional businesses and job centers. This is so important in helping our families get through these tough times.�

Funds were awarded to these tribes:

-The Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation: $112,000 to purchase 12 bus shelters and two support vehicles

-Kalispel Tribe of Indians: $335,600 to purchase a bus, two other vehicles and dispatch equipment

-The Quinault Tribe of the Quinault Reservation: $398,000 to purchase two buses

-Spokane Tribe of Indians: $255,000 to purchase six vehicles
Tulalip Tribe: $126,748 to purchase three buses

The FTA awarded $17 million in federal Recovery Act funding for tribal transit programs. Seventy-one applicants had requested $54 million.

FTA officials also announced that they will award nine Washington tribes $2.7 million in non-Recovery Act funding for transit operations, planning and capital assistance.

For a complete list of projects, visit the FTA Web site at www.fta.dot.gov/news/news_events_10912.html.





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Washington state is administering the Recovery Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire created a Web site, www.recovery.wa.gov, enabling every Washingtonian to see where their tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Obama appointed Vice President Biden to oversee all states' recovery efforts and root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars are put to good use and recharge the economy.