KJCT8.com - Grand Junction, Montrose - Weather, News, Sports | Stimulus projects brings jobs, better roads to Colorado

Stimulus projects brings jobs, better roads to Colorado

There are more people than jobs at this point, so getting a stimulus job may not be easy. But, it's not impossible.

GRAND JUNCTION (KJCT) -- Federal stimulus money is coming to Western Colorado in many forms, including major road construction projects. Some of these projects are getting closer to starting, which means new employment opportunities.

The Colorado Department of Transportation has been thinking about how to use the federal stimulus money since discussion of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act first began.

After coordinating with communities across the state, earlier this spring they identified top priority projects that could be started fairly quickly.

On March 2nd, C-DOT received $403.9 million. $48 million is for region 3, which includes Grand Junction, Montrose, Glenwood, Eagle, Craig and other Western and Northwestern communities.

For months, the Colorado Department of Transportation has been putting the final touches on projects that will improve the roads you drive on, and put people to work.

"This is an opportunity for our local unemployed folks and currently underemployed to get a better opportunity, get back into the job market," Sue Tuffin, Executive Director of the Mesa County Workforce Center explains.

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act requires state to work quickly once they receive their cut of the $787 billion Stimulus Package.

Each state must have at least 50% it's transportation stimulus money committed within 120 days.

"The intent behind that was to put as many people to work as fast as we could put them to work," C-DOT Region 3 Director Weldon Allen elaborates.

Western Colorado will get 7 major projects and 7 smaller Enhancement Projects.

The projects will be started at various times over the next year, but contractors are already making bids on two of them.

Including one that will upgrade Exit 42 in Palisade. "It's not just improvements to the interchange. If you've lived in the area you recognize that we have debris flow problems from the Bookcliffs so we will try to mitigate some of that as well. It should kick off this summer, probably in July," Allen says.

The other project currently being bid upon will make much needed improvements to the Austin to Hotchkiss Corridor on Highway 92 in Delta County.

Later this month, a major project to upgrade Highway 13 in Rio Blanco County will go to ad.

"Highway 92 and 13 are extensive projects. They include the addition of passing lanes, climbing lanes shoulders. So, the traveling public could be impacted by those for a while. We look for those to last for a year, year and a half before contractors have those buttoned up, probably fall of 2010.

Project will be advertised for 2 to 3 weeks, then the contract goes to the lowest bidder.

"It'll probably take us 45 to 60 days to get into a contract with however that contractor is that gets that contract and they will start moving dirt shortly there after," Allen speculates.

So far, nobody knows where the winning contractors will be from.

"We always hope for our local contractors to be able to get these contracts," Allen says.

The Mesa County Workforce Center has already made contact with many local construction companies and is prepared to reach out to others.

"Sometimes these contracts go to companies that are outside Mesa County. So, we'll have to watch for that and be available to those contractors too so that we can match up our local job seekers with those contractors," Tuffin says.

But, the Grand Valley stands to benefit even if the selected contractors are not local.

"Even if we have an outside contractor coming in there's restaurants, there are a number of people on these projects. Some of these projects are very large and they employ a tremendous amount of employees in the contraction area.

There are more people than jobs at this point, so getting a stimulus job may not be easy. But, it's not impossible.

"Since these are federally funded projects, these will be required to be advertised and announced," Tuffin explains.

It may be a couple of months before companies start hiring for these projects but paying attention to the classifieds and newspapers staying in touch with contacts and checking in with the Workforce Center can give you an advantage.

Job seekers can even try to track down contractors directly.

"You can go to that company's web site, look at the employment opportunities and see how they can apply," Tuffin suggests.

On-line resources can also help workers find stimulus projects they could apply for in other parts of Colorado. One C-DOT recommends is: www.dot.state.co.us/ARRA

"There's hundreds of projects that are going out from C-DOT through American Reinvestment and Recovery Act monies. They could very easily connect up with a contractor if the contractor is looking for help,"

You don't have internet access, our would like help brushing up on your interview or resume building skills, the Workforce Center can help you out.