Santa Claus apparently will not be coming early to Garner this year .
It is unlikely that the town will receive a slice of the $787 billion recently authorized by the U.S. Congress, town finance director Lin Jones said on friday. President Barack Obama signed the economic recovery plan into law Feb. 17.
Jones said Garner is not likely to get money for existing projects, including 14 shovel-ready items submitted to the governor’s office in January. Totaling $44 million, those proposals include a new Town Hall, a community center and parks enhancement.
Garner also will not get any federal funds to shore up an estimated half-million dollar shortfall from reduced sales tax and building revenues, according to Jones.
However, Garnerians will not be left out in the cold. They may benefit from some of the estimated $6.1 billion going to North Carolina. Jones says the town may receive funds from other agencies like the Department of Transportation, the Department of Justice or Wake County. Those funds would help pay for roads, police or housing rehabilation, he says.
Wake County Public School System also expects to receive funding as well, some which may trickle down to Garner facilities.
Though he expects no direct aid, Jones says plans can change.
“I’d be happy to be wrong,” he said.
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