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Spring 2009 Is Your Business Shovel Ready? Governor Steve Beshear unveiled the “Kentucky at Work” initiative in late February. It explains how Kentucky will spend $3 billion in federal stimulus funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (AARA). “Kentucky at Work” will provide a much-needed, one-time infusion of dollars. Its purpose is to maintain jobs through investments in education, health care and public safety.
Shovel-ready means that a project’s construction must be initiated within 60 days following the obligation. The Louisville – Southern Indiana Bridges project does not presently meet that qualification. Considerable right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation must occur before the Bridges project can be ready, currently making the project ineligible for the funding. It has never been more crucial for Kentucky Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) to be prepared to compete for work on these transportation projects. In order to participate, DBEs must first be prequalified through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). Yet, many DBEs that perform on-site road construction work are still not prequalified. To be ready for work on the Bridges project, the DBE firms should be gaining experience with the current projects. The special influx of funds from ARRA could create a greater need for additional DBE firms to work with the prime contractors. The KY DBE Program Manager can help your business take the first step toward prequalification. Please contact us to discuss your business. We will put you in touch with representatives at Kentucky Transportation Cabinet that will determine if prequalification is required for your business and help guide you through the process if necessary. If you have any questions, please call the KY DBE Program Manager at 502-499-9440. Please close this window to return to the eNewsletter.
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As part of the initiative, Kentucky will receive $421 million for highways and bridges. Governor Beshear and legislative leaders have been working together on a road plan that contains projects that meet the federal government's requirement that 50 percent of those funds be obligated within 120 days from the signature of the federal authority, which occurred in February 2009. These projects must be shovel-ready. The remaining 50 percent of the funds are to be utilized within the year following the initial obligation.