Jobs in Vermont from Capital Construction Bill
A bill awaiting passage in the Senate will help create hundreds of jobs in Vermont.
Earlier this month, the Vermont House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 790, the Fiscal Year 2011 Capital Construction Bill, which is now headed to the state Senate for approval. The annual bill provides $72 million in capital improvements to state and municipal infrastructure.
An analysis from Tom Kavet, economist for the State of Vermont Legislature found the bill will create about 800 new jobs, 550 of which will be in the hard-hit construction sector. The projects initiated by the bill also will create more business for suppliers and retailers throughout Vermont.
“The legislature is focused on creating jobs for Vermonters,” Shap Smith, speaker of the House, said. “This bill puts Vermonters back to work, while making crucial investments in our state’s infrastructure.”
The funding will be used as follows:
- $24 million for enhancement, repair and construction of state office projects.
- $5.9 million to fund wastewater treatment plants, and water supply and stormwater management projects.
- $3.8 million to the Vermont Department of Information and Innovation and Innovation for IT advancements.
- $7 million to school districts throughout the state to support school construction.
- $5 million to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, $4 million of which will be invested in much-needed affordable housing projects, including housing for veterans, transitional housing for prisoners, and housing for the elderly and those with mental disabilities; and $1 million for conservation projects.