Chew on Philly’s tech proposals in bailout package

President Obama is expected to sign the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act this week after Congress passed the historic bill on Friday. Previously, Obama has promised to cut pork from the bill and only fund necessary and promising projects by appropriating money to encompassing federal grant programs.
StimulusWatch.org has been keeping an eye on the bill, allowing citizens to vote on the projects that they think will best impact their cities. Have a look at Philadelphia’s proposals.
There are a number of projects that show a heightened desire to improve technology and green energy initiatives in Philadelphia.

• Upgrades and expansion of the Central Library
  Description: The construction of a flexible, modern addition to the Central Library would generate $76.7 million in labor income, flow $134 million back into the economy, and increase city tax revenues and visitor spending by an estimated $4.3 million. The project would attain Silver LEED certification. After completion, services to job seekers and entrepreneurs would be expanded, including access to 300 computers with high-speed internet access, and help with resumes.
  Program: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
  Cost: $115,000,000
  Jobs created: 1,351
• 3,000 LED lamps in signalized intersections
  Description: Replace incandescent bulbs and decade-old LED lamps with new LED Lamps for 3000 signalized intersections. The replacements would save the city $1,000,000 per year in energy costs.
  Program: Energy
  Cost: $6,000,000
  Jobs created: 94
• Residential Solar Energy Revolving Loan Fund
  Description: Residential Solar Energy Revolving Loan Fund would result in the initiation of solar projects at 500 residences in city of Philadelphia.
  Program: Energy
  Cost: $4,000,000
  Jobs created: 100
• Upgrade the digital public safety radio system
  Description: Upgrade the digital public safety radio system and implement new underground infrastructure to accommodate the system.
  Program: Public Safety
  Cost: $60,000,000
  Jobs created: 110
• Enable access to public safety radio system in Subway system.
  Description: Enabling access to public safety radio system in the subterranean areas of the city, including subways.
  Program: Public Safety
  Cost: $30,000,000
  Jobs created: 500
• Electronic health records across the prison and linked health systems
  Description: Purchase and deployment of electronic health records across the prison and linked health systems
  Program: Public Safety
  Cost: $15,000,000
  Jobs created: 176
• Purchase of 40 Hybrid Buses
  Description: The SEPTA Board awarded a contract to New Flyer of America, Inc. for the purchase of 400 hybrid (diesel/electric) buses, with an option to purchase 20 additional buses each year for 4 years.
  Program: Transit
  Cost: $17,850,000
  Jobs created: 678.3
• VSS Fiber Plant
  Description: Laying network of fiber to enable technologies such as video surveillance cameras.
  Program: Public Safety
  Cost: $40,000,000
  Jobs created: 125

We’ll keep you updated on what funds are appropriated to these projects when the information is available.