Carson, Storey may benefit from federal spending

Carson City and Storey County could benefit from federal spending bills with thousands of dollars toward programs.

The city could get more than

$1 million for three programs from the annual federal appropriations bill. The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the bill this week.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., has asked for $400,000 for Partnership Carson City's anti-drug and gang commission, $475,000 for the V&T Railway and $269,000 for rehabilitating land destroyed by the 2004 Waterfall Fire.

Reid has asked for $100 million for Nevada projects.

The U.S. Department of Health Resources and Services Administration approved a two-year $480,000 grant from the federal stimulus bill for a health clinic in Virginia City, said Michael Rodolico, executive director of Health Access Washoe County.

The Reno-based nonprofit will be able to open a health clinic with the stimulus bill funds if Storey County can find space, he said. The clinic would provide health care and administer federal health programs including Medicare and Medicaid.

Storey County Manager Pat Whitten said the county will do everything it can to find a building for the clinic. The county has a community health nurse provided by the non-profit Community Chest and a private doctor in Virginia City, he said.

Health Access Washoe County has three clinics in Reno and one in Silver Springs.

Whitten asked for about $140 million from the federal stimulus for projects including roads, Tahoe Reno Industrial Center infrastructure and water and sewer upgrades.

Carson City is looking for about $47 million from the stimulus package for projects including streets improvements, sewer plant upgrades, the V&T Railway and the Carson City Airport.

Money from the $787 billion federal stimulus bill will go to federal and state agencies to spend on projects, not directly to projects.

City Manager Larry Werner said he hasn't heard if any of the city's projects will be funded.

Water and sewer upgrades might have the best chance, he said, because the city already has requested funds for the upgrades the state.

He said the city might get a little funding to keep work on the bypass going. Carson could get little in highway funds besides that, he said.

- Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.