Senate clears $500M bill to boost employment, construction projects

A $500 million construction package aimed at stimulating job growth was approved Wednesday by the state Senate.

The Invest in Hawaii Act of 2012 would fund numerous capital improvement projects across the state. These repair and maintenance projects would update aging infrastructure at state facilities and deal with health and safety concerns. The bill focuses on projects that are ready to begin to avoid delay in creating construction work.

The capital improvement projects would also help Hawaii businesses that provide supplies and other support to the construction industry.

The state’s estimated repair and maintenance backlog exceeds $1 billion.