Recovery Act Success Stories

All economic recoveries are marked by fits and starts. Today, we saw a fit in employment, with some disappointing job numbers. But in other economic indicators – production, consumer confidence and housing – we are seeing starts, and glimmers of recovery.

Here are few of this week’s Recovery Act success stories. At this point, about 40 percent of Recovery Act funds have already been deployed (right on track) and is scheduled to ramp up over the fall. Visit the new Recovery.gov – updated features make it easier to look up projects in your own community and act as a “watchdog” for fraud and abuse.

Virginia

Recovery Act funds will help the Culpeper County Public Schools save 46 existing positions and add 14 new jobs. Those funds are also helping the county integrate technology – like SMART boards – into the classrooms and purchase other essential school supplies. So far, the Department of Education has disbursed about $18 billion, with $67.5 billion in Recovery Act funds remaining to spend.

Arizona

Thanks to Recovery Act funds at least a hundred unemployed people in Arizona will go back to school to get new job training at a local community college. Here’s an excerpt from the article in the Arizona Republic: “'It's an opportunity for our colleges and faculty and staff to help rebuild our community,' said Mary Vanis, director of the colleges' Center for Workforce Development, which will provide the classes in partnership with the workforce-development arms of Maricopa County and Phoenix. The stimulus money will pay for tuition, materials, and licensure and certification testing.” The community college network regularly sees people looking for help finding new jobs – they provide one-on-one counseling, resume building and give job-seekers access to computers to search for jobs.

North Carolina

The Department of Energy awarded North Carolina $20.9 million in Recovery Act funds for energy efficiency and conservation projects. The state is planning to use the funds to ramp up energy efficiency in buildings and invest in technology that will help to recapture methane – a climate change causing greenhouse gas – to generate electricity. Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, which has already proven itself a leader when it comes to renewable energy, will receive approximately $200,000 of the funds to invest in solar thermal systems – technology that could help the public school save on utility costs. Appalachian State just completed a project that will save the university more than $600,000 annually in energy costs.

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