Local officials are already making plans for the federal money headed this way. The City of Columbia would like to hire additional police officers, improve roads and improve neighborhoods, among many other things. Columbia leaders held their first stimulus briefing on Monday. They talked about what the city will do with its share of the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" money.
"I think our job is to make sure the money that is available to the city of Columbia or to the citizens of Columbia," said Mayor Bob Coble.
Officials didn't discuss specifics at the meeting. But, it was clear that strengthening the police force and improving low-income housing are priorities. Others will follow.
"For the law enforcement we already have that. For the housing we already have that," said Mayor Coble. "So it will be just making sure we take advantage of everything."
The goal is to have Columbia reap the full benefits of the economic stimulus package.
"We are going through the worse recession since the great depression," said Mayor Coble. "And we've got to get relief to our citizens."
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