Wednesday, the government freed up $15 billion dollars from the recovery package for state health care programs
But that's just the start, states are expecting more money to be able to give to towns and cities for projects designed to spur the economy.
Surfside Beach mayor Allen Deaton said his town is ready to take the money the Obama administration is offering and put it to good use.
Deaton said they have shovel ready projects that will have a domino effect on Surfside Beach, the Grand Strand, and just about anybody who comes to the area. He said the plan is to use stimulus funds from the government to complete a new fire station.
Right now, he's just waiting to see how much money the town will get.
"What we need to do is set up a mechanism at the state level because it has been dedicated to the state, any municipality under 35,000 residents, its going to go through the state, so therefore they need to set up a mechanism, so that we know which like to get in or we know where the money's coming down which pipe.” Deaton said.
Surfside Beach already has money allocated for the projected $2 million station, but if they can use stimulus money instead, the money set aside for the fire station can be used for something else, like a new wellness and fitness center for seniors which is projected to cost $1.8 million. That facility would be built where the civic center now stands.
Another project for some of the stimulus money is a projected $1.6 million saltwater fishery enhancement project that includes extending the Hurricane Hugo damaged pier to pre-storm length.
Deaton said using the money to improve things in places like Surfside Beach is something he believes is behind the intent of the package, to rebuild the economy and the country's infrastructure from the bottom up.
"If the money can be filtered down to us, we can utilize it in a more efficient way than they could ever do from the top down.” Deaton said.
Joel Sawyer, Gov. Mark Sanford’s press secretary told News13 they’re not sure yet how and when the money will be distributed, he added they're still going through the plan.
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