Clovis News Journal: By Gabe Monte, CNJ staff writer

Cannon Air Force Base is jumping on the economic stimulus bandwagon, submitting a wish list of several expansion projects.

The U.S. Air Force is in line to receive millions in funding for projects through President Barack Obama’s stimulus package approved Tuesday by the Senate.

Obama said he expects a bill ready to be signed on his desk by President’s Day next Monday.

 Cannon Air Force Base officials have submitted  projects for consideration, according to 27th Special Operations Mission Support Group Commander Col. Babette Lenfant.

The projects are planned to accommodate an expansion that will more than double the population at Cannon.

Base officials say they expect the current population of about 2,000 to reach between 4,000 to 5,000 people.

“ The projects that we listed to Air Force Special Operations Command that may be funded by the proposed economic stimulus plan were ones we had already planned on funding through military construction funds,” Lenfant said.

Selected members of the Senate and the House of Representatives will meet this week to decide the final cost of the bill, according to Marissa Padilla, a spokeswoman for Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M.

The House adopted an $820 billion bill, while the Senate on Tuesday passed an $830 billion bill. Negotiations between the two bodies for a compromise bill are expected to continue this week.

When the dust settles, the Air Force is expected to receive $927 million, according to text in the bill.

Cannon’s list submitted to the Air Force calls for construction of two 96-person dormitories and expanding the base child development center, according to Lenfant.

“Last year, the base determined the need for new dormitories and increased capacity for childcare primarily because of the fact that more people will eventually be stationed at Cannon due to the new mission here,”  Lenfant  said.

Cannon Public Affairs Chief Capt. Mae-Li Allison would not release a cost-estimate on the projects, citing competitive bidding issues. The base is being cautious not to taint the biding process.

Jude McCartin, a spokeswoman for Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., said if the stimulus bill is signed into law,  the money will go to the U.S. Air Force, which will decide how to distribute the money to its bases.