MEDIA RELEASE

State Comptroller Russ Saito updated a legislative committee Wednesday on the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s success in advancing $1.69 billion in capital improvement projects (CIP) statewide since the Administration launched a plan in December 2008 to accelerate public infrastructure construction as part of a comprehensive effort to stimulate the economy and create jobs.

Testifying before the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Saito informed lawmakers the state has successfully opened bids for, awarded contracts for or started construction on 702 capital improvement projects, totaling $1,683,363,188.

In addition, the state hopes to put out to bid, an additional 1,279 projects totaling $765,972,560 by June 2010. The majority of these projects (1,116 projects totaling $275,671,761) are with the Department of Education.

The focused capital improvement project plan, a collaborative partnership between the state, the construction industry, trade unions and counties, is helping to stimulate the local economy, create jobs and position Hawaii for the future.

“The state will continue its focus on starting approved CIP projects as quickly as possible in order to create more jobs for members of our construction industry and related sectors,” Saito said.

Projects Advancing by Department                 # of Projects       Cost     
Dept. of Accounting and General Services              112         $190,634,364
Dept. of Agriculture                                    6          $14,108,465
Dept of Business, Economic Development and Tourism      5          $11,980,233
Dept of Defense                                         6           $3,536,800
Dept of Education                                     326         $192,822,413
Dept of Hawaiian Home Lands                            26         $191,724,059
Dept of Human Services                                 18          $21,093,621
Dept of Land and Natural Resources                     43          $59,260,991
Dept of Transportation                                 79         $803,474,802
University of Hawaii                                   81         $194,727,440
Total                                                 702       $1,683,363,188

The state estimates the $1.69 billion in capital improvement projects has generated approximately 21,715 direct and indirect jobs statewide in the construction industry and other related sectors. This is based on a Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism formula which estimates that for every million dollars invested, 12.9 direct and indirect jobs are created.

The number of direct construction jobs created by the capital improvement projects is approximately 5,050. This is based on a formula used by the construction industry which estimates that for every million dollars, three direct construction jobs are created.

Investing in capital improvement projects and the modernization of Hawaii’s infrastructure is a major part of the governor’s five-point action plan to stimulate the economy. Other components of the five-point plan include increasing tourism marketing and outreach; lowering business fees and providing tax relief; attracting private investment, especially in renewable energy technology; and maximizing federal dollars and partnerships.

Progress of all the capital improvement projects can be tracked on the governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/cip

For Big Island projects, visit http://hawaii.gov/gov/cip/hawaii/