Salem wants $345 million to create jobs

SALEM — This tiny southern Utah County town wants $345 million of President Barack Obama's economic-stimulus package to create 2,500 jobs — half the city's population.

But the funding wouldn't benefit only Salem, said Bruce Ward, the city's public-works director. Two projects totaling $300 million are for a regional wastewater-treatment facility that would serve seven south Utah County cities — Salem, Springville, Spanish Fork, Mapleton, Elk Ridge, Woodland Hills and Payson.

"We just put our name on it," Ward said.

Last year, the consortium of cities bought 250 acres north of Payson on the shores of Utah Lake to build the plant.

"We always knew it would need federal money," Ward said.

The plant has been in planning stages since the early 1990s. The seven cities belong to the South Utah Valley Municipal Water Association. Fellow members Santaquin, Genola and Goshen opted out of the treatment-plant effort.

If the group gets the stimulus money, the next steps would be to plan and build the treatment plant, Ward said. Four plants now discharge treated water into tributaries that lead to Utah Lake. The new plant would replace the existing ones, he said.

Salem included four other projects in its request for federal stimulus money:

Widening 460 West, which leads to I-15 by way of 8000 South, for $5 million — creating 50 jobs. Some smaller roads are included, including Salem Canal Road.

A citywide storm-drain system for $15 million, creating 150 jobs.

A $20 million recreation complex, which Ward said could become a regional facility with assistance from Utah County. The project calls for both indoor and outdoor recreation, including an equestrian park, and would create an estimated 200 jobs

Utility construction of the Benjamin I-15 interchange as a precursor to construction of commercial and industrial buildings. Part of that interchange is in the Benjamin incorporation plan. The $5 million project would create an estimated 50 jobs. After the utilities are in place, other commercial or industrial facilities could be built at the interchange, creating permanent jobs, Ward said.

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