WASHINGTON — Eager to hear more about the unprecedented federal investment in change to be rolling out of Washington soon, 21 mayors from across Ohio’s Sixth Congressional District — including Rio Grande’s Matt Easter — dialed into a conference call with U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson Thursday prior to voting on the compromise stimulus package.

Wilson invited all mayors from across the district to call in to find out more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“I’m excited about it,” Wilson said. “I think we need it. I firmly believe it’s a victory for our country, for our economy and for our communities, in particular, that have been hurting for so long.”

Currently the economy is shedding 10,000 to 20,000 jobs per day, according to Wilson.

“Our choice was action vs. inaction. I’m voting for action,” Wilson said. “Who would stand by and do nothing while their community, their country falls off a cliff?”

The House passed the $789 billion legislation Friday afternoon on a vote of 246-183. The Senate passed the bill later Friday, 60-38.

The legislation will:

• Create or save 3.5 million jobs.

• Immediately cut taxes for 95 percent of American workers.

• Make investments in our infrastructure to modernize our roads, bridges and mass transit, build energy efficient buildings and tackle clean water projects.

“This in investment in change,” Wilson said Friday after voting for the the stimulus. “I firmly believe today’s vote is a victory for our country, for our economy ans for our rural Ohio communities that, in particular, have been hurting for so long.”

“Show me a way to create jobs,” East Liverpool Mayor James Swoger, said. “We don't need to just feed people; we need to have a way for them to feed themselves.”

Wilson agreed. “At its heart, that’s what this is: a jobs bill,” he said. “In fact, the White House says this recovery package will create 133,000 jobs in Ohio. Over 7,000 of those jobs will be created in Ohio’s Sixth District.”

The mayors on the call expressed support for the recovery package. Many said that they have shovel-ready projects they would like to see funded through the package.

“I have four projects I can think of right off the bat,” Rio Grande Mayor Matt Easter said.

“We’re an older establishment and our streets and sidewalks are in need of repairs,” Wellsville Mayor Joseph Surace said. “Hopefully, this money will give us a shot in the arm. Hopefully, this could help everybody.”

“We appreciate it,” said Martins Ferry Mayor Phil Wallace said.

Wilson encouraged them all to submit their projects to the governor’s website: www.recovery.ohio.gov.

All shovel-ready projects must be submitted to that site to be considered by the state. The federal money for infrastructure projects will be distributed by the states.

The Sixth Congressional District includes part of all of Mahoning, Columbiana, Jefferson, Belmont, Monroe, Noble, Washington, Athens, Meigs, Gallia, Lawrence and Scioto counties, represented by Wilson since 2007.