WASHINGTON, D.C., June 11, 2009: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has announced that the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) will receive $8,500,200 in economic recovery funds for bus replacements and capital improvement projects.

The federal funds, which were made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will be released today by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

“These funds will improve mass transit to promote economic development and foster job growth in Toledo,” Brown said. “More Ohioans are depending on public transportation. These funds will help modernize TARTA to meet the needs of the region.”

Earlier today, Brown met with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to discuss Ohio’s mass transit and infrastructure needs. Studies indicate that for every $1 billion invested in infrastructure projects, anywhere from 35,000 to nearly 50,000 jobs are created. In addition to job creation, investment in mass transit attracts new businesses and yields other economic benefits including reduced delays, improved safety, reduced emissions, and lower maintenance costs.