MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. Linda Lingle has announced the state has advanced more than $1.8 billion in capital improvement projects (CIP) statewide, exceeding the original goal of the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s plan launched in December 2008 to accelerate public infrastructure construction as part of a comprehensive effort to stimulate the economy and create jobs.

Over the last 17 months, the state has successfully opened bids for, awarded contracts for or started construction on 827 capital improvement projects totaling $1,851,513,340.

The original 18-month plan focused on 1,500 capital improvement projects totaling $1.8 billion which were previously budgeted and approved by the Legislature. While the state has focused on these 1,500 projects, the State has expanded its plan to include 2,470 construction projects, totaling $4,621,269,610.

“We remain focused on working collaboratively with the construction industry, trade unions and counties to help revitalize our economy and create jobs,” Lingle said. “This comprehensive and aggressive capital improvement plan is a key component of moving our state forward, and investing in the modernization of our public infrastructure, buildings and facilities.”

The state estimates the $1.8 billion in capital improvement projects has generated approximately 23,884 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 5,554. This is based on a formula used by the construction industry which estimates that for every million dollars, three direct construction jobs are created.

Projects Advancing by Department                     # of Projects      Cost
Department of Accounting and General Services             161        $225,923,212
Department of Agriculture                                   8         $16,888,465
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism    5         $11,980,233
Department of Defense                                       6          $4,036,800
Department of Education                                   375        $269,181,928
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands                          26        $164,944,751
Department of Human Services                               31         $53,086,441
Department of Land and Natural Resources                   47         $67,357,085
Department of Transportation                               82        $789,471,682
University of Hawaii                                       86        $248,642,743
Total                                                     827      $1,851,513,340 

Projects Advancing by Island      # of Projects      Cost
O‘ahu                                 491        $978,295,682
Hawai‘i                               149        $431,665,970
Maui                                  100        $283,318,510
Kaua‘i                                 53        $108,063,444
Moloka‘i                               21         $17,166,085
Lāna‘i                                  9         $16,398,233
Statewide projects                      4         $16,605,416
Total                                 827      $1,851,513,340

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 website at www.hawaii.gov/cip