ARLINGTON — United States Rep. Rick Larsen recently got to see first-hand how the city is using its federal stimulus dollars.

The “hometown boy,” as Mayor Margaret Larson referred to him, got a short tour on Thursday, Nov. 12, of two of the city of Arlington’s projects that are receiving funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The city has received approximately $5.5 million in federal funds to help construct a new city waste water treatment facility, and more than $200,000 for construction on 188th Street NE and Gifford Avenue.

“I’ve visited 14 stimulus projects in this district alone,” Larsen told a group of City Council members and city and state officials before the tour. “The recovery act is working all over the country and in our state.”

Larsen, a Democrat, was among members of Congress who voted earlier this year to approve the act which was passed to create new jobs, spur economic development and provide tax cuts for working families.

Mayor Larson greeted the U.S. representative with a short introduction.

“My thoughts and prayers are with you as you make very difficult decisions (in Washington, D.C),” Larson said. “We appreciate your time today.”

After Larsen addressed a crowd of about 25 individuals, Marysville Mayor Dennis Kendall gave some background of the waste water treatment facility.

Kendall, who is on the state Public Works Board, said it’s been nice to see the project moving forward.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to come out and see how this money is working,” Kendall said. “I’m looking forward to you guys cutting the ribbon.”

During his visit to Arlington, Larsen, as well as members of his staff and Jill Satron, Washington state’s economic recovery coordinator, got a personal tour of the facility and Gifford Avenue by Public Works Director Jim Kelly.

Kelly told Larsen that building the facility will create 55-60 new jobs in Arlington. Larsen also got a chance to talk with Tim Child, project construction manager for Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, about the facility.

After meeting crew members who are working on the project, Kelly showed Larsen Gifford Avenue, where the city will be constructing new sidewalks with the $95,000 in stimulus funds it received.

Larsen did not get a chance to view improvements to Smokey Point Boulevard and 188th Street NE.

“In the long term, this is going to help Arlington grow,” Kelly said during the tour.

Larsen also attended Veterans Day activities in Everett on Nov. 11, and spoke with the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce during his trip to Snohomish County to tour the local stimulus projects.

He was also slated to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony in Stanwood for the 68th Avenue NW improvement project.