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For Immediate Release:
November 14, 2007

Craig and Simpson Secure Economic Development/Transportation Funds for Idaho

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senator Larry Craig and Congressman Mike Simpson have secured funding for a number of Idaho projects in the Fiscal Year 2008 Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill. The bill was approved by a conference committee to be approved by both the House and Senate and sent to the President for his signature.

"Transportation and economic development go hand-in-hand. You can't have one without the other, and these projects represent some of the best efforts in Idaho to give our local communities a boost. I am proud to work on their behalf in the Senate," said Craig.

"While I have some concerns with the overall bill, the Idaho projects included in it will help bring economic opportunity and improved roads, bridges and transit to Idaho communities," said Simpson. "These modest investments in Idaho's communities and infrastructure will help assist ongoing state and local efforts to bring new opportunities to our state."

Idaho projects supported by Craig or Simpson in the bill include:

TRANSPORTATION FUNDING:

• $9,074,000 to complete construction of a new air traffic control tower at Boise Airport
• $750,000 for Boise Airport Runway Improvements
• $3,212,000 for Idaho Transit Coalition Buses and Bus Facilities
• $288,000 for Treasure Valley Transit Facilities
• $3,950,000 City of Rocks Back Country Byway
• $500,000 for FH-24 Banks to Lowman
• $1,500,000 for I-84, Curtis Road to Broadway Interchange Widening
• $480,000 for College of Southern Idaho Student Safety Initiative
• $480,000 for I-84, Exit 29 (Franklin Road) Local Systems Improvement
• $240,000 for Lewiston Partnership Projects
• $500,000 for US-95, Thorncreek Road to Moscow

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (EDI) FUNDING:

• $100,000 for Custer County for the Custer County Economic Development Initiative
• $150,000 for Renaissance Art Center, Inc in Rupert for renovations to the historic theater
• $175,000 for Boys and Girls Club of Magic Valley for construction of a Boys and Girls Club facility in the town of Buhl
• $300,000 for Development Workshop, Inc, Upper Valley Industries Plant Facility, Idaho Falls for planning and design of a new facility to provide job services for people with disabilities
• $300,000 for Western Elmore County Recreation District, Mountain Home Community Center Complex, Mountain Home for planning design and construction of an energy efficient, multi-use community center

In some instances Senator Mike Crapo and Congressman Bill Sali jointly requested projects with Senator Craig and Congressman Simpson. Craig and Simpson both serve on their respective Appropriations Committees.

Please contact Craig's or Simpson's offices for details on any of these projects.

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