There is some good news on the job-front. More than 1,000 local jobs were created or saved because of the $787 billion federal stimulus package.
If you've been on just about any major road in Bakersfield, you've seen the stimulus dollars at work. The bulk of the stimulus funding has gone to road repairs, which has boosted the local economy. However, analysts say it's still tough for people out of work to find a job.
Construction around town may be frustrating for commuters, but it signals the recovery act is bringing in the green. Raul Rojas, the Director of Public Works, says the stimulus money will be stretched through the spring.
"A little over $12 million in federal stimulus dollars came to the city and about $6 million has been contracted with the balance to be contracted by this winter," Rojas explained.
Most local contractors are thrilled to have the extra work and say other local businesses are benefiting as well.
"We're buying local materials, putting local people to work, buying local fuel, and it's just good for everyone in our community," Superintendent of Griffith Company Warren Dears said.
However, others think some of the projects are unnecessary quick fixes. Bernard Salgado owns Afinar Civil Engineers. He says the current stimulus projects are more like "paint jobs."
"I'm seeing them tear up a perfectly good road just to rebuild it maybe for no reason," Salgado said. "I live near Mt. Vernon and they're tearing that up. I drive through there every day and i didn't realize it was in that bad of shape but they got some stimulus money so they're going to go spend it there so it's just politics."
The California Recovery Task Force reports 100,000 jobs have been created or saved in California because of stimulus projects. The City of Bakersfield has 145 full-time and five part-time jobs from July to September using the stimulus funds.
The numbers are encouraging, but analysts say the next six months will still be tough for the unemployed.
"If the economy has in fact sort of turned and we may later find out that we have actually started to expand a little bit then we probably won't expect total unemployment to peak until 6 or 9 months later," John Emery of California State University of Bakersfield said. "Of course that means everyone out there looking for work, the good news is that the economy is changing, the bad news is it hasn't gotten to you yet."
Rojas says all the road projects so far have been awarded to local contractors.
The Recovery Act road projects are:
Mt Vernon Ave.-State Route 178 to University Ave.
Ashe Rd.-White Lane to Ming Ave.
Wilson Rd.-White Lane to Planz Rd.
Hughes Lane-White Lane to Planz Rd.
Wible Rd.-Pacheco Rd. To White Lane
King St.-Chico St. To E. 18th St.
Chico St.-Owens St. To King St.
Owens St.-Chico St. To E. 18th St.
Eureka St.-Owens St. To King St.
Dolores St.-Gage St. To Beale Ave.
