Press Release |
Media Contact: Sally Tibbetts 941.951.6643 |
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Buchanan Wins Approval of $750,000 for Transportation and Community ServicesHouse Bill Includes $500,000 to Reduce Road Congestion, $150,000 for Newtown Community Center and $100,000 for North Port Family Service Center
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| July 24, 2009 | |||
| Washington, DC -- Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-13) announced today that the House has approved $750,000 in federal funding sought by Buchanan for transportation and community service projects in Florida’s 13th District. The Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act (H.R.3288) passed the House last night. The bill includes $500,000 for an Intelligent Transportation System, also known as Advanced Traffic Management System, to reduce road congestion in Sarasota and Manatee counties. “This funding will allow Sarasota and Manatee counties to coordinate efforts to monitor and improve the flow of traffic,” said Buchanan. “The project will reduce congestion, increase safety, and conserve energy.” The project is expected to reduce vehicular delay by 9.5 million hours per year and reduce fuel consumption by 3.8 million gallons per year. Manatee County Commission Chair Gwen Brown said, “Another hurrah for Manatee County and a thank you to Congressman Buchanan. This will help with moving traffic through the two counties and possibly save lives.” Sarasota County Commission Chair Jon Thaxton said, “We thank Congressman Buchanan for his efforts in helping us to implement a signal control system using the latest technology, and to construct a joint Sarasota-Manatee regional traffic management center to provide coordinated efficient traffic management.” The bill also includes an additional $150,000 in federal funding to further assist in the redevelopment of the Robert L. Taylor Community Center in Newtown. “This is the most heavily used recreation center in the City of Sarasota,” said Buchanan. “Most of the facilities are in need of complete renovation or replacement. This will help convert the existing facilities to a state of the art community center that will meet the area’s recreational, social and community service needs.” “Our number one goal in the City of Sarasota is the redevelopment of Newtown,” said Sarasota Mayor Richard Clapp. “I thank Congressman Buchanan for his continued support in procuring funding for this very important community asset. The redevelopment of the Robert L. Taylor Complex has been a long process.” Finally, the bill includes $100,000 for a new Family Service Center in the City of North Port, which will house the City’s Social Services Division as well as 12 other community agencies. “This center will provide area residents with easy access to a variety of health and human services,” said Buchanan. North Port Commission Chair Vanessa Carusone said, “In these economic times it is a breath of fresh air that Congressman Buchanan took a stand for the families of North Port.” |
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