Rural towns may find it hard to compete against metro areas for stimulus funding, according to an Associated Press report.
Big cities have more shovel-ready projects and deeper pockets to fund staff time to make applications.
"I feel that we're at an unfair disadvantage because I can't put a staff of 10 on to go out there and see what we can qualify for," Silver City Manager Alex Brown said.
Gov. Bill Richardson and Lt. Gov. Diane Denish said at a news conference last week rural communities need help to get their share of the federal money.
"Some rural communities, they don't have the staff and the expertise, in some cases, to make some of these submissions" required to apply for stimulus money, Richardson said.
Meanwhile, on small town in Vermont was surprised to find that it had to come up with 20 percent matching funds to qualify for stimulus aid on a project.
The town submitted its applications and learned it must come up with 20 percent in matching funds.
"We are at a definite disadvantage there is no way we can raise that kind of money," Viskup said.
The town says the 20 percent match was never mentioned and expected the stimulus money would fully fund the projects.
