South Gate lands $2.5M grant

SOUTH GATE - The city of South Gate received a $2.5 million federal grant to improve the intersection of Firestone Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue, Rep. Linda Sanchez announced this week.The grant comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce and will create 245 temporary jobs, Sanchez said. "This project is a perfect example of how investing in our infrastructure can help our communities thrive in the long-term," Sanchez said in a statement. "Not only will this funding create 245 new jobs, but these improvements to this intersection will help improve the flow of commerce for our local businesses. New businesses can open and hire more employees. More customers will soon have better access to businesses in this area. "This infrastructure investment is a down payment for a vibrant South Gate economy," she added. Construction at the intersection is expected to "improve industrial access and open new areas for manufacturing in the area." Sanchez also announced a separate $500,000 grant that will allow the South Gate Police Department to hire more police officers. Sanchez didn't say how many new officers will be hired but said the COPS grant - awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice - will allow South Gate PD "to hire new law enforcement officers and increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts." "We have to do everything we can to make our communities safe and this grant funding will help the city of South Gate and its police department take huge steps in crime prevention," the congresswoman said. "At a time when our communities are dealing with stretched budgets, this COPS grant will help South Gate put more police officers on the street and expand their community policing programs."

********** Published: October 4, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 25