Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) today announced that Rapid City will receive $1,255,528 in federal funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The grant will be used to improve the Rapid City Municipal Bus Service. This funding is in addition to $6,642,706 awarded to South Dakota for projects across the state.
“Investing in the Rapid City transit system strengthens the community and improves conditions for economic growth,” said Johnson. “This funding will allow people to travel more easily to receive medical services, visit family, and commute to jobs. Connecting people through public transportation is money well spent and I’m proud to keep our towns and cities moving forward.”
Funds will be used towards constructing bus shelters, benches, purchasing support vehicles, a surveillance system, bus stop signs, and fare cabinets and vaults. In addition, funds will be used for the renovation of an existing bus terminal/transfer facility.
FTA provides funding to all fifty states for a variety of transit programs targeted toward improving and enhancing the capacity of transit systems that serve small, rural communities, as well as the elderly and disabled.
Resources from the stimulus package are continuing to help local communities across South Dakota. Funding has already been distributed to local housing commissions, to cities and towns to continue the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, weatherization and local health services. Additional resources from the legislation will continue to be distributed in the weeks and months ahead.
The stimulus package signed by President Obama focused on tax cuts for the middle class, infrastructure investments and job creation. This funding is a prime example of the kind of resources the legislation provides to help improve communities while advancing South Dakota’s economy.
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For more information on Senator Tim Johnson visit his website at http://johnson.senate.gov.
To contact Senator Johnson’s communications office via e-mail, write his Communications Director at Julianne_Fisher@Johnson.Senate.gov.
