About $3 million in federal stimulus money will help complete three pump stations in Hammond and Munster, U.S. Rep Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., said Tuesday.

The news was welcomed by Ron McAhron, who represents the Indiana Department of Natural Resources on the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission. "Every dollar that rolls in is good news."

The influx amounts to accelerated funding for projects already identified by the commission to complete the Little Calumet River Flood Control Project. The commission had been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to accelerate the project's timing, McAhron said.

The money is allocated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a news release from the Merrillville Democrat said.

"In choosing to support the Little Calumet River Flood Control and Recreation Project, the administration has wisely decided to create jobs in the near-term on a project with long-term economic benefits," Visclosky said. "Northwest Indiana has been devastated by floods too many times and we cannot finish the levee system soon enough."

The money is in addition to $24 million that Visclosky secured for the project in fiscal year 2009, and the $14.76 million he secured in fiscal year 2008, the news release said.

The money will go toward construction of the Indianapolis Boulevard pump station in Hammond, the Southside pump station in Hammond, and the Jackson Avenue pump station in Munster.

Once complete, the whole project will include 22 miles of levees and flood walls that reduce the risk of floods for more than 9,500 homes and businesses in Gary, Griffith, Hammond, Highland and Munster.

The projects still require matching funds to complete the project, the news release said.