Indians get share of stimulus funds
Tribe gears up for share of stimulus funds
By Chee Brossy
Navajo Times
WINDOW ROCK, March 19, 2009
Text size: A A A email this pageE-mail this story
advertisement
Subscribe today to the Navajo Times print edition
Money from the economic stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama in February is starting to trickle down and the Navajo Nation is looking to get its fair share.
But that will take an organization that is on its toes and ready to move quickly as information becomes available on how to apply for it.
President Joe Shirley Jr. has appointed Arvin Trujillo to head the effort. Trujillo, executive director of the Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources, will work with a team from the divisions of the executive branch to coordinate what grants, loans and other stimulus money the tribe will go after.
As of Tuesday, Trujillo said the tribe is still waiting to learn what criteria the federal government will use to distribute the money. He estimates they will see that information beginning next week, and division heads will begin assessing how best to tap into it.
So far only the Department of Workforce Development and the Navajo Housing Authority know exactly how much money they are eligible for, as stated by their corresponding federal agencies, the U.S. Labor Department and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Navajo Nation is eligible for $34 million through HUD. The money is to be used for new construction, housing infrastructure, and rehabilitation of homes.
NHA CEO Aneva Yazzie said her program, like all other tribal and state entities receiving stimulus money, will be on a strict timeline to start and complete projects.
The tribe must spend half of the $34 million within two years once it becomes accessible - likely at the end of this month, she said.
The entire amount must be used in the next three years. If the deadlines are not met, the money will be subject to recapture by the feds.
Because of the tight timeline, NHA is looking at projects that do not need much preliminary review, Yazzie said.
Well that's good news.
