New federal funds allocated to Texas should interest government contractors

Transportation grants to Texas in 2008 will range in the billions and opportunities will be abundant. The Surface Transportation Program provides $535 million in funding for both state and local government to pay for projects on any federal-aid highway, bridge work on public roads, transit capital projects, and intracity/intercity bus terminals and facilities. Another $497 million will come to Texas for improvements to rural and urban roads including those on the Interstate System.

More than $395 million has been allocated to Texas as part of the Interstate Maintenance program. Opportunities will open up for firms that provide highway resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation and reconstruction services.

As a result of the events of 9-11 and the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, much emphasis has been placed on increasing homeland security and ensuring that emergency personnel at all levels of government are able to communicate effectively with each other. One grant program, the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP), provides money for state and local law enforcement entities to use for information sharing, recognition and mapping of potential or developing threats, interoperable communications and other similar programs.

Urban Area Security Initiatives funds for Texas total $820 million for FY 2008. These funds are to be used for training and equipment, particularly in highly populated urban areas. Another $400 million will come to Texas through Port Security grants. Vendors that offer training and employee credentialing services should watch this funding. And, with recent increased border security efforts along the Texas-Mexico border, the Operation Stoneguard program will provide Texas with $60 million, part of which can be used for technology needs and related equipment.

Interoperable Emergency Communications grants totaling $50 million will be available for communication system equipment purchases and other needs. This money will go to law enforcement and emergency medical care agencies. Firms that sell to government should watch all the new funding.