AUSTIN – “The stimulus bill wheels are turning in D.C. and in Texas. Officials throughout the state are just waiting for guidelines about how to access the funding and how it can be spent,” said Mary Scott Nabers, president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships Inc., an Austin-based research and procurement consulting firm that is tracking the funding flows into Texas.

Approximately $4 billion for education and public schools will be headed to Texas, an estimated $2,526,000 of that amount going to schools in Bee County.

Some of the money is allocated by formula and other funds will come down to local school districts in the form of grants. School districts, receiving money to be directed to special programs, are expected to spend a large amount for technology, equipment, energy enhancement and construction.

As with other funding sectors in the bill, such as transportation infrastructure, technology, homeland security and energy programs, the funds will result in more work opportunities for Texans and hundreds of contracting opportunities for vendors and service providers. “Those interested in selling to government – whether to school districts, cities, counties or state agencies – should get involved immediately,” said Nabers.

Throughout the country, government entities are watching to see how the funding will flow and who will have oversight. Once the money is released, a federal Web site, www.recovery.gov will allow citizens to see how it is spent.

A breakdown of estimated amounts that Bee County public schools will receive from the Economic Recovery Package is as follows: Beeville ISD, $2,008,000; Pawnee ISD, $50,000; Pettus ISD, $177,000; and Skidmore-Tynan ISD, $291,000.

For a statewide look at all school districts in Texas, click on www.spartnerships.com.