City, County Working on I-Jobs Request List

By Dave Franzman, Reporter

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By Dave Franzman

Story Created: Jun 26, 2009 at 5:03 PM CST

Story Updated: Jun 26, 2009 at 5:03 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS- The I-Jobs board created by the Governor and lawmakers will distribute millions of dollars for job-creating projects and flood recovery. And both Cedar Rapids and Linn County leaders are getting closer to a final "wish list."

The I-Jobs board comes to Cedar Rapids on Monday to look at flood damage and discuss the funding program. But both city and county officials are looking beyond that to another deadline to apply for future funding.

About 25% of the $830-million dollars lawmakers set aside for boosting the state's economy will go to disaster recovery. Lawmakers already promised approximately $45-million dollars to help with repairs to the Paramount Theatre, the public library, public works building, National Czech and Slovak Museum and other facilities.

But Cedar Rapids and Linn county can also compete for dollars to fund other projects--and leaders met Friday to work on a priority list that both the city council and county supervisors can support.

Both the city and county think a marquee project like revamping the U.S. Cellular Center belongs at the top of the list. County leaders also indicated they'll support approximately $20-million dollars in downtown parking facility improvements.

The city will get behind county needs--including an expanded county office building and a possible new juvenile court building. Whatever winds up on a final, combined "wish list" will need to fit in with some specific state rules.

Cedar Rapids City Council member Brian Fagan said "they have a tight time line of three years that projects must proceed under. That's the view we're taking with all these projects we'll submit."

The city and county hope to agree on projects adding up to somewhere between $100 and $120-million dollars. That list of job-producing projects must be ready to go to the I-Jobs board in early August.

While the I-Jobs board is in Cedar Rapids on Monday they won't be bringing checks for the projects approved by lawmakers. But members will review those proposals and start the process of signing contracts with government leaders.

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