Collin County recovery funding falls way short of average

http://www.pegasusnews.com/admin/news/story/32817/

by Bill Baumbach of The Collin County Observer

Pro Publica has created a website that details who has received federal stimulus funds targeted for local uses. I spent some time looking over the numbers, and what I found was eye opening.

The national per capita average was $181, Texas' residents saw $150 each, but Collin County only $28.

It should be noted that these figures are funds allocated for local purposes. The state of Texas, like other states, also received federal funds for unemployment insurance, Medicaid, education, transportation, and other projects. Much of the funds given to the state will filter down to local projects through grants.

The Statewide grants to Texas equaled $66.6 billion or $120 per capita. The national per capita average was $216.

The local stimulus

On a per capita basis, Texas ranked 47th of the 50 states in receiving locally allocated stimulus money. Number one was Alaska, which was given $1,024 per person. Last was New Jersey at $248. Texas so far has received $6,551,358,976 -- or $269 per person in the state.

Of the 254 Texas counties, Collin ranks near the bottom at 231st. Brooks County in the Big Bend area was granted almost $79 million for highway construction. With a tiny population of only 7,500, their per capita grants were the highest in the state at $10,459. Six counties received no stimulus funds. Collin County received $21 million or $28 per person.

Collin County didn't fare any better in the North Central Texas region either:

Collin County did not directly receive any of the local funds. They were granted to businesses, schools and cities for specific uses. The largest single grant was to Plano ISD for a Title 1 grant of $3.8 million. The largest grant to a private firm was a $771 thousand SBA loan to Landes Properties of McKinney.