1. How did the City of Wichita receive the money?
A. Two types of grants were available including competitive and formula based grants. The competitive grants required the City to submit specific projects in the applications. The formula based grants allocated a percentage of the money to area municipalities. In addition, the Wichita Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO) also received a direct award for projects. Area municipalities submitted project requests to WAMPO for approval.
2. How did the City decide where the money should be spent?
A. In the competitive grant application process, City staff submitted a list of projects to the Wichita City Council for approval. The projects were selected by City staff who were familiar with the needs in and around Sedgwick County. The staff then submitted the list of projects in the grant application.
B. In the formula grant process, the federal agencies have a formula which specifies how much money each municipality or agency will receive. After learning how much money would be received, the City submitted a list of Council approved projects for final approval. The projects were selected by City staff who were familiar with the needs in and around Sedgwick County.
3. How did WAMPO decide which projects to approve?
A. WAMPO asked area municipalities to submit projects for consideration. WAMPO board members voted to approve 11 projects and a list of contingency projects.
4. When will the City start spending the money?
A. The City has already started work on a number of projects. More work will get underway in late 2009 – early 2010.
5. Will the City apply for additional federal stimulus dollars?
A. Some ARRA programs will offer a second round of funding to distribute funds that were not obligated during the initial funding period. As these funding opportunities become available, the City will evaluate the program and requirements. If the City determines that it has eligible projects and if the program requires little to no matching funds, the City will consider applying for additional stimulus dollars.WAMPO asked area municipalities to submit projects for consideration. WAMPO board members voted to approve.