Even more important to the regional economy than stimulus funds, says Buzz Harris, assistant executive director for the Nevada Chapter of Associated General Contractors, was legislative passage of a measure that funds road construction in Washoe County.
About $250 million would be generated during the next three years for road construction in Washoe County by allowing increases in the fuel tax linked to inflation in construction costs. Voters approved the tax change in an advisory measure in the 2008 general election, and Washoe County Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the final ordinance on Aug. 25.
"Federal highway stimulus money to Washoe County is $26 million, and with RTC-5 we will be bonding in the first three years a quarter of a billion dollars," says Derek Morse, interim executive director of the Regional Transportation Commission. "We have some vital projects that will put a lot of people to work. In terms of long-term stimulus, this is of the greatest significance."
