Cleveland: VP Biden, Brown talk $16 million, 200 jobs
October 27, 2009
Source: WKYC
By Tom Beres
CLEVELAND -- Vice President Joe Biden and Ohio's U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown used Cleveland Hopkins International Airport as a backdrop to announce $16 million in stimulus funds to be funneled into improvements and modernization there.
The economic recovery money is expected to create 200 jobs and support long-term economic growth by modernizing the city's airport infrastructure.
Construction worker Keith Kist is getting one of the positions.
"I'm a perfect example of what this is all about, being off work and called back. If things like this were not happening, I'd probably still be sitting at home," he said.
The project will create a new taxiway and holding area. It will reduce plane back-ups and congestion and make de-icing easier.
"It will streamline operations and get pasengers in and out more quickly," said Airport Director Ricky Smith.
Hopkins Airport serves as a transportation hub for the state, serving 10 million passengers each year.
Biden and Brown were joined by Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson in outlining how the new federal funds will be utilized.
Airports in Akron-Canton, Dayton, and Findlay have also received economic recovery funds for infrastructure improvements.
"Transportation infrastructure and economic development go hand-in-hand," Brown said. "These funds will create construction jobs for the next two years, and foster long-term economic growth. A modern, efficient airport is critical to bringing new jobs to the region and promoting Northeast Ohio as a good place to do business."
Vice President Biden used the project as an example of how stimulus dollars are helping turn around the economy.
"We are not talking about whether we're going to recover. We're talking about the shape and nature of the recovery," he said.
"Nine months ago, the largest banks in America were teetering on collapse. We're now talking about a stock market bumpin 11,000. We were talking about a stock market at 6,000," Biden explained.
Biden said recovery/stimulus dollars have hired 7,000 teacehers and 400 police officers in Ohio.
He said thousands of highway construction and weatherization jobs are being created in Ohio.
