MEDIA RELEASE

The county Department of Research and Development will conduct a free two-hour workshop with question-and-answer session to discuss with county, state and federal officials opportunities that will benefit the Big Island through the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The public and media are invited to the briefing and question-and-answer session at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 at the Old Airport Pavilion, Kailua-Kona. Registration is at 12:30 p.m.  

The ARRA, which is also known as the federal economic stimulus package, is designed to boost the nation’s economy and change course for our nation. 

It offers new opportunities for state and local jurisdictions prepared to aggressively seek out new funding sources for projects and programs that offer long-term benefits to their communities.

As federal agencies have begun to detail their rules and guidelines for distributing the money appropriated under the act, Hawaii County department heads under the leadership of Mayor Billy Kenoi have been searching out the most promising opportunities for the county to obtain funding for projects ranging from transportation and law enforcement to energy conservation.

The county is also seeking opportunities to form partnerships with community-based non-profit organizations and others to encourage economic development and bring additional stimulus dollars into the county through social service and other programs the non-profits offer.

All are welcome at the briefing, but attendees are asked to RSVP by Wednesday, May 20 by calling 961-8366.