Nearly two months after President Barack Obama signed his federal stimulus package into law, the city of DeKalb knows how much it is receiving in federal aid: approximately $1.4 million.

The money DeKalb is receiving from the federal government will go to street repair, various housing projects and energy efficiency, said City Manager Mark Biernacki.

“Overall, we are pleased with our results to get DeKalb a share of the federal stimulus package,” Biernacki said in a phone interview. “The projects will help provide jobs and make DeKalb a better place.”

Biernacki said the total received for street repairs was $1.1 million and involved two major projects getting underway over the next year.

One project, totaling $750,000, is resurfacing the section of Fairview Drive between Ill. Route 23 and Peace Road.

Biernacki said that section of Fairview is one of the principle truck routes in DeKalb.

“[Fairview] is a heavily trafficked area, and it causes the road to wear and tear more quickly,” he said.

The other project, totaling $350,000, would be to add left turn lanes at the intersection of Dresser and Normal Roads.

City Engineer Joel Maurer said the improvements are able to begin earlier because of the stimulus money and would increase the safety of DeKalb roads.

“It will bring additional safety and bring certain intersections up to current standards,” Maurer said.

Biernacki said approximately $100,000 is designated to helping low- to middle-income households.

He said it is coming from the Community Development Block Grant, which, according to its Web site, is a federal program “that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs.”

Biernacki said the city is still deciding where best to use the money and will present it to the city council once they have decided.

Mayor-elect Kris Povlsen said $182,000 is designated to “making the city green.” Povlsen said this could entail changing the lighting in city hall and other city buildings, but no final decision had been made.

Biernacki said the city will pay for the projects up-front but will be reimbursed by the federal government “shortly afterward.”