Stimulus finds way to Nellis Published March 30, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Michael Charles 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev -- The Department of Defense announced details for the spending of more than $20 million in benefits to Nellis as part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The ARRA, which was signed by President Barack Obama Feb. 17, includes approximately $7.4 billion in defense-related appropriations; $1.7 billion of which will be allocated to the Air Force. "The DOD and Air Force related projects will further push President Obama's goal of providing much needed stimulus to the economy while improving the quality of life for our Airmen and their families. All projects focus on making needed improvements to military installations and include hospitals and housing for troops and their families," said Audrey Davis, the deputy asistant secretary of the Air Force for financial operations. One of the DOD's projects include improving the quality and availability of the Child Development Centers for Airmen and their families. Funds provided by the ARRA will be used to build seven CDC's across the military including one for Team Nellis. Officials specificly identified the locations with the greatest need based on previously conducted facility and requirements studies to maximize the benifit of ARRA funding. Nellis was chosen for the location of the new CDC to the average of 150-175 children who comprise the waiting list at any given time throughout the year. The new $13 million CDC for Nellis is scheduled to begin construction at the end of the year and slated to open in the beginning of the 2011 fiscal year. The ARRA also provides approximately $1 billion of additional funding for facility sustainment and repairs to Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve installations. These projects will improve roofs, utility systems, pavements and operational facilities for Airmen, as well as improve our energy efficiency. Nellis will receive more than $10 million in improvements to basic infrastructure such as the repair of water mains and the repair of lighting circuit cables on the airfield. The ARRP projects allocated to Nellis is expected to bring new contracted jobs to the Las Vegas community and improve the economy of North Las Vegas. Ms. Davis said the Air Force and Department of Defense are committed to invest recovery act dollars with transparency and accountability so Americans know where their tax dollars are going and how it is being spent. To view a complete listing of the specific projects announced for Nellis and the rest of the DOD, visit www.defenselink.mil/recovery or www.recovery.gov .
