What the Stimulus Package means for San Antonio

February 17, 2009 · President Obama signed the enormous economic stimulus bill into law on Tuesday. San Antonio congressman Charlie Gonzalez (D) voted for the stimulus bill and says the San Antonio River Improvements Project could get additional funding immediately.

“We have been able to receive some monies incrementally in the past – but this would be a definite shot in the arm – rather than going through the regular process – this obviously gets the money into the project much much faster,” said Gonzalez.

A large part of the stimulus package is supposed to fund infrastructure projects that officials call “shovel ready,” meaning they can begin now. San Antonio is in the midst of an expansion over the next three years as more than 10,000 military families plan to move here as part of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission – or BRAC plan. The city will need to make some infrastructure improvements to handle the expansion, but Gonzalez says stimulus funds won’t be used for these projects, because they are not shovel ready.

“Anything that is a consequence of the BRAC build out that impacts local infrastructure may well be eligible for another source of funding to communities and that’s what we will be looking to in the very near future,” said Gonzalez.

Another part of the stimulus package is dedicated to funding education. Gonzalez says some of that money will help improve some San Antonio school facilities and programs.