**PRESS RELEASE FROM SMART GROWTH AMERICA**        

For Immediate Release:                      
February 17th, 2010                         

Contact: Paula Chrin
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(202) 223-9541

Stimulus TIGER projects: What Happens When We Use Transportation Dollars to Strengthen Communities, States, and the Country

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In today’s announcement of $1.5 billion in TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) awards, the US Department of Transportation (US DOT) showed the kinds of transportation projects that move people and freight in a way that makes places stronger, cleaner, and safer.

DOT received 1,380 applications for the $1.5 billion pot, for a grand total of $56.5 billion in funds requested. The 51 projects announced under TIGER, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), include:

• Port and freight-rail projects in Tennessee, Alabama, Hawaii, Illinois that support economic growth and take freight off the road;
• Bridge replacements in Oklahoma, Michigan, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Indiana that support multiple modes of travel;
• Modern streetcars to support vibrant places in Tucson, Dallas, Portland, New Orleans and Detroit;
• Innovative highway funding and operations in Texas, North Carolina, Colorado, South Carolina and Arkansas;
• Bicycle and pedestrian networks in Philadelphia, Indianapolis, and complete streets in Dubuque, IA;
• Beautiful new train stations in places as different as New York and Normal, Illinois.

**Press Release from the USDA**

• New Commercial/Civic: Marshalltown Public Library, Marshalltown
• New Residential: Court Avenue Lofts, Des Moines
• Renovated Commercial/Civic: The Durrant Building, Dubuque
• Renovated Residential: Westfield Avenue Lofts, Waterloo
• Mixed Use: Plaza Towers , Iowa City
• Leadership: Historic Millwork District Master Plan, Dubuque

Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is elgible to receive $242,767 through the Specialty Crop Block Programs. Iowans are invited to comment on priorities in funding.  Iowans interested in submitting comments on the priorities for the program can email their comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or by mail to Horticulture and Farmers Market Bureau, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, 502 East 9th, Des Moines, Iowa, 50319.

In addition to inviting public comments, the Department is creating a Review Committee to help make recommendations on grant proposals. If you are interested in learning more, visit www.IowaAgriculture.gov/Horticulture_and_FarmersMarkets/specialtyCropGrant.asp.

The Five Farms documentary followed five families over the course of a yearlong cycle of seasons in order to help people make the connection between the food on their tables, the farmers who work to produce it, and the value of the farmland they care for.

The Griffieon Family Farm, north of Ankeny, was one of five farms from across the country selected to participate in the documentary. When asked to summarize why she wanted to participate in the documentary, LaVon Griffieon said "Basically, to educate Americans about where their food comes from and the security of local food production. A community that hasn't preserved enough farmland to feed itself is NOT sustainable."

Visit the Five Farms  website to find out more about the project, read stories from the families, listen to the radio features and learn what it takes farm and produce the food we depend on. 

The five one hour documentaries about the five different families are expected to be released around the end of April.

1000 Friends of Iowa is a statewide public interest group working to promote healthy communities and cities while protecting farmland, natural areas, and the quality of life for future generations of Iowans.  We work to promote responsible development that:

• Conserves and protects our agricultural and natural resources;
• Revitalizes our neighborhoods, towns and cities;
• improves the quality of life for future generations.

We are the only statewide group in Iowa working to ensure that local and state government manage growth responsibly. Founded in 1998, 1000 Friends of Iowa has grown to become the state's primary advocate for smart growth policies.

1000 Friends of Iowa's advocacy work, public education, and the organizational and technical support that we provide local groups have become the foundation of good growth management in Iowa.