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Miami-Dade’s Economic Stimulus Plan Nears $1 Billion Mark

MIAMI – Nearly 250 infrastructure projects throughout the community have been expedited as a result of Miami-Dade County’s local Economic Stimulus Plan (ESP). The ESP, launched even before the federal economic stimulus, is designed to jump start the local construction industry by getting work on the street more quickly. ESP is supporting more than 1,600 jobs, and cutting up to four months off the time it takes to advertise, bid and award construction projects.

Since the program’s inception, $903 million in projects has been fast-tracked. Of that, $672 million has been awarded to firms for projects that are in the works, underway or already complete.

Expedited projects include the new Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Training Center, cruise terminal upgrades at the Port of Miami, the Opa-Locka Executive Airport Air Traffic Control Tower, acoustical improvements at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium, Miami Lakes Fire Station No. 64, and water and sewer main upgrades in the Perrine/Cutler Ridge area.

“Hundreds of projects, large and small, are leaving an imprint across Miami-Dade because of the Economic Stimulus Plan. More importantly, hundreds of people who might otherwise be unemployed are working,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez. “It will be the private sector that leads economic recovery, but government has a role to play.”

“What is happening is unprecedented in Miami-Dade County’s history. Together with public and private partners, we are aggressively building and upgrading facilities critical to our future success,” said Miami-Dade County Manager George M. Burgess. “Improving infrastructure is one of the most important roles of local government.”

The ESP was approved by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners in July 2008. The total amount of projects eligible for expediting under the ESP Program is approximately $1.24 billion.

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