Stimulus Funds Slow To Hit Construction Industry

Washington, DC, Dec. 16, 2009--Stimulus funds that have been earmarked to make government buildings more energy efficient are slowly being released by the General Services Administration.

GSA, the nation's leading landlord with 1,500 properties, was allocated $5.5 billion as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Roughly $2 billion should be allocated before Dec. 31, according to GSA, but so far only about $1.5 billion has been allocated and only $89 million has been spent.

Advocates of green building hope the GSA can use its purchasing power and nationwide reach to lower costs, test emerging products and educate the industry.

GSA said bids for work are coming in under budget.

As funds begin to flow more freely, the construction industry is hopeful that they will help ease the loss of work in other commercial sectors.