Stimulus money: Fire Station to be built

Wednesday was a year to the date the bill was passed and critics say American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has added to the national deficit, but Arkansas officials contend the funds have been a tremendous help to the state.

"The [taxpayers] money is coming back home. We've been very aggressive on that," said Little Rock's Mayor Mark Stodola.

The mayor, along with other city and state officials unveiled a $2 million project Thursday as part of the recovery projects from the stimulus fund. The money is being used to build Little Rock's 22nd fire station, covering a four-mile radius currently stretching firefighters thin.

"We've been able to cover this area but not in the required time length that national standards recommend," said Lt. Joseph Adams with the Little Rock Fire Department. "What it's going to mean for this community is greater fire protection, greater safety response. It's going to significantly increase our ability to get personnel on the scene."

Stodola says including the $2 million, Little Rock has received more than $50 million in the past year from the stimulus package. He says most of the money has already been used to reinvest in the city and help bring Arkansans out of the recession.

"I know that the passage of the stimulus bill and whether it's being effective or not is being debated right now," said Stodola. "I'll tell you that the city of Little Rock has tremendously benefited from the bill and passage of the Recovery Act."

The city has also used the money for a variety of other projects including energy programs, revitalizing neighborhoods and hiring more police officers. On the state level, road construction has been a big focus with nearly $30 million funneled to the highway department.

Arkansas medical centers, schools and airports have also received millions towards creating jobs.

"These projects are putting people back to work. They are also providing the infrastructure that this country needs for the future," said Senator Mark Pryor.

Pryor says it has taken a while for the money to turn into actual projects but with contracts being signed everyday on the city and state level, taxpayers should begin seeing more of their money at work in the coming months. About $820 million more is expected to be allocated to the state before the federal stimulus funds run out.