Montgomery County and area residents will benefit as local entities and businesses receive millions through grants and contracts from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Texas Department of Transportation received the largest allotment of funds, with the Brazos Transit District receiving the second largest allotment of $1.67 million. The money awarded to the BTD will be used to construct a marina for The Woodlands water taxis along The Woodlands Waterway, as well as create a maintenance facility for its buses. This is in addition to $2.3 million awarded to expand the Sterling Ridge Park and Ride from 200 spaces to 1,000 – a project on the top of the BTD’s list.

“Montgomery County got a sizeable amount of the ARRA money. It’s because of the rapid growth and the need,” John McBeth, president of the BTD said. The Sterling Ridge Park and Ride “should address today’s demand and future need until 2020,” McBeth said. With an outlook on stabilizing the economy now and looking towards the future in hope, the ARRA awarded over $18 million to area entities and businesses, with the plans of improving life for area residents.

The BTD is expected to award a bid for Sterling Ridge Park and Ride project the first week of December 2009, with construction set to start later in the month. During the construction period the project is expected to create between 35-45 new jobs, and the project should be completed six months following initial construction. The marina project will soon be underway along with other projects across Montgomery County which includes plans by TxDot, the City of Conroe, the City of Willis, Montgomery County and more.

For more information please visit www.recovery.gov.

Here are some of the projects taking place that will benefit Conroe and area residents:

TxDoT: awarded $4.91 million to widen Loop 494 from U.S. 59 to Kingwood Drive, and $555,792 for drainage improvements on FM 1314 – this according to Recovery.gov and TxDoT’s website

The City of Conroe: awarded $288,308 to improve the quality of life for low income residents through housing relocation and reconstruction projects, to purchase a thermal imaging camera for firefighters to use in locating persons in burning buildings, and an emergency electrical generator for the Conroe Police Department building.

Montgomery County: awarded $2.36 million to purchase digital in-car video recorders and tasers for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office, provide financial assistance and services to prevent 120 households from becoming homeless, and help at least 12 households be re-housed. It will also go to provide low-interest loans to businesses wishing to expand or relocate to East Montgomery County and hire low-income residents.

Lone Star Community Health Center: awarded $1.07 million to upgrade the centers outdated x-ray machine and purchase new computers and software, as well as hire a new doctor to expand patient care.

Houston Advanced Research Center: awarded a $2 million dollar Clean Diesel Emerging Technology grant to fund a retrofit project targeting a variety of power ratings in on and off-road vehicles in Texas, in order to reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality.