In these uncertain economic times, it is refreshing to hear some positive news. Down in the heart of the Deep South, in the beautiful state of Georgia, we have reports of stimulus money being put to good use.

In Atlanta, the capital city of Georgia, the Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Transit Authority will be endowed with $600,000 from the federal economic stimulus package. This money is allocated to make our public transportation systems more secure. These monies are part of $78 million that has been set aside by Homeland Security to hire 240 law enforcement officers for 15 transit stations across the nation. The purpose of the officers is to protect against terrorism. Cara Hodgson, spokesperson for Marta stated that the money would be used for the funding of two new canine teams for explosive detection and equipment to assist in detecting explosive devices.

The city of Albany, Georgia is slated to receive $9 million to fund the building and development of a new multimodal transit in the downtown area. According to Nedra Woodyat, the director of the Albany Transit System, there is a need for a larger facility. Bids are already out for the architectural and design side of the project with bids for the actual construction expected to go out before the close of the year.

Governor Sonny Perdue stated that he had submitted "1511 Certification" for three transportation projects that are being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. According to Governor Perdue, the monies will be used for needed intersection improvements and bridge repairs. Governor Perdue said that the state was using the federal funds to improve Georgia’s transportation network and put Georgians to work. The amount of money for these projects totaled $8.6 million.

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is reported to get $13.97 million to construct an apron, for loading, unloading, and maintaining aircraft. This money will go to the City of Atlanta first from the Federal Aviation Administration. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson is one of 17 airports under consideration to get part of $1.1 billion stimulus money to pay for systems that can detect explosives in luggage.

We have heard many reports of stimulus money being used for politician’s pet, pork-barrel projects; it is nice to hear reports of federal stimulus money being used for needed projects in Georgia. Upgrading our transportation systems, keeping us more secure, and putting Georgians to work is stimulus in action.