GEORGIA - As the ground settles from Georgia's loss of a major grant from President Barack Obama's $8 billion high-speed rail stimulus last Thursday, a little aftershock arrived this week.

The Federal Transit Administration on Tuesday published a list of 27 transit projects recommended for $1.8 billion in federal funding. Georgia wasn't on it.

It couldn't be. Georgia had no proposals up for consideration, FTA spokesman Paul Griffo said.

In contrast to the high-speed rail grants last week, these recommendations would fund development of local transit projects such as new bus and streetcar lines. Those types of projects usually have been in the works for some time and require local investment to win federal funds.

Rail advocates last week blamed Georgia's loss of high-speed rail money on the state's past indifference to rail transit.

"If you don't have operating money, nobody's going to give you the money you need to build lines," said Lee Biola, president of Citizens for Progressive Transit.