LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 are expected to be available within the next few weeks and Team Lackland will be doing its part to infuse that money into the local economy.
About $36 million will be spent on base projects in the coming months as part of the federal government's initiative to jump-start an economy suffering through its worst downturn since the Great Depression.
Lackland's appropriation is a portion of the total $787 billion package signed into law by President Obama in February. The Air Force will receive about $1.7 of the $7.4 billion allocated to the Department of Defense by the Recovery Act.
Spending of the funds is targeted for maintenance, repairs and construction. And Team Lackland stands at the ready when the money arrives with a list of more than 40 projects.
"We were posturing for it in December when we got the first inkling that the economic stimulus would come around," said John Heye, deputy base civil engineer, 37th Civil Engineer Squadron.
"We were given parameters, and one was the projects had to be executed quickly. It was all focused on getting money out into the economy."
Brig. Gen. Len Patrick, 37th Training wing commander, said the stimulus funds would enable the base to make long awaited repairs.
"It's going to allow us to award, at mid-year, projects that we would typically be advocating for at year end," General Patrick said.
"We're going to do long needed repairs to roofs, roadways, water systems and the airfield. We're even going to have a chance to put some new paint on buildings that desperately need it."
The $36 million will fund projects to include perimeter security improvements, airfield maintenance, child development center, water system repairs, road repairs, painting, and roof repairs.
The projects encompass Lackland, the Lackland Training Annex and Kelly Field Annex.
"These are the kind of projects we would be advocating for in September but can be awarded now," said General Patrick.
"The professionals in our contracting and civil engineer squadrons have worked very, very hard to get these projects ready to go. It's pretty exciting and I'm pleased with the way the list went."
He also said additional funds, separate from the stimulus package, should be available at year end to improve the electrical system, dormitories and energy conservation.
The funds now, the general said, will free some of the local wing resources to do quality of life projects and affect different missions. That, in turn, he says, helps esprit de corps.
"I think anytime people see we're improving the place where they work, live and train, it improves morale," said General Patrick.
"There will have to be some patience," he said. "We had a decent year end in 2008 so there are a lot of projects underway now. (The stimulus projects) will add to the inconvenience but in the end, people are going to be proud to come to work at Lackland."
According to Mr. Heye, the majority of the stimulus projects are short term, such as painting and roof repairs, and they will be turned quickly once the contracts are awarded.
"We're extremely fortunate to have a very good contracting squadron to get us positioned," Mr. Heye said.
Lackland's projects will create a needed boost for local small businesses and will help meet the Recovery Act's overall intent of economic growth and job creation.
Of the funds and projects, General Patrick summed it up best. "We are going to make improvements for many, many generations to come at Lackland Air Force Base."
A complete list of projects is online at the DoD Web site, www.defenselink.mil/recovery or www.recovery.gov.