City of Ironwood Submits $22 Million Stimulus Package Request

IRONWOOD, MI - Friday, January 30, 2009 - A recently posted anonymous Superior Chronicle Letter to the Editor was rather critical of the current City Commission and City Staff for not actively pursuing Obama Stimulus Package funds for "shovel ready" projects. The letter was also critical the the Chronicle and the Daily Globe for not reporting any such news.

In fairness, both the City Manager and the Community Development Director for the City of Ironwood mentioned at recent meetings that requests were submitted for Stimulus Package funds. The Chroncile twice reported these requests in our City Commission and Planning Commission reports. The Chronicle asked for a detailed list of requests submitted. Community Development Director informed the Chronicle that the City of Ironwood submitted a list of requests totalling over $22,000,000.

• Jessieville sanitary sewer and water main reconstruction - $ 3,500,000
• Municipal water pump station updates replacement of high lift pumps, chlorine room construction, reservoir improvements -  $ 400,000
• Fire hydrant and valve replacement project - $ 1,500,000
• Local street overlay project - $ 5,250,000
• Sanitary sewer manhole relining project - $ 1,100,000
• Geographic Information System (GIS) utility development - $ 125,000
• Greenbush St water main replacement - $ 300,000
• Backup water main construction - $ 2,500,000
• Sanitary sewer Phase II and Phase III construction - $ 3,000,000
• Water system improvements - $ 3,100,000

Considering the huge number of Stimulus requests nationwide, and the limited amount of funding available, it would be presumptuous to assume funding to Ironwood would be forthcoming. For that reason, one could assume that the City didn't make a major issue of their request, nor did our news service make significant mention of the request.

For a list of Michigan cities that have also made requests for Obama Stimulus funds [CLICK HERE].