American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Overview of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act)

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. It is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act is an extraordinary response to promote economic recovery and growth, and includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.

Read the final text of the legislation (PDF, 13.4MB), as the President signed it.

Implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act)

The U.S. Department of Commerce will receive $7.9 billion to create and save jobs for American workers as part of the historic economic stimulus bill recently signed by President Barack Obama. "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is the most sweeping economic recovery package in our history," said President Obama, noting it will create or save 3.3 million jobs over the next two years. "We have begun the essential work of keeping the American Dream alive in our time."

ARRA investments in Commerce agencies, which will be allocated in an open, transparent and timely manner, include funding for business development, innovative research, construction projects, expanding broadband services and other programs that will create jobs in a broad range of occupations and industries.

Implementing the Recovery Act at the NTIA

The Recovery Act provides critical funding for two programs at NTIA:

• $4.7 billion to establish a Broadband Technology Opportunities Program for awards to eligible entities to develop and expand broadband services to rural and underserved areas and improve access to broadband by public safety agencies.
  • Of these funds, $250 million will be available for innovative programs that encourage sustainable adoption of broadband services;
  • At least $200 million will be available to upgrade technology and capacity at public computing centers, including community colleges and public libraries;
  • $10 million will be a transfer to the Office of Inspector General for the purposes of BTOP audits and oversight.
  • Up to $350 million of the BTOP funding is designated for the development and maintenance of a broadband inventory map.
    
    
• $650 million for the TV Converter Box Coupon Program to allow NTIA to issue coupons to all households currently on the waiting list, to start mailing coupons via first class mail and to ensure vulnerable populations are prepared for the transition from analog-to-digital television transmission.

Agency Plans and Reports

For Department of Commerce plans and reports, please visit www.commerce.gov/recovery. Information about the NTIA programs that implement the Recovery Act will be provided in the near future.

Learn more about our programs

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is an agency in the U.S. Department of Commerce that serves as the executive branch agency principally responsible for advising the President on telecommunications and information policies. In addition to representing the Executive Branch in both domestic and international telecommunications and information policy activities, NTIA also manages the Federal use of spectrum; performs cutting-edge telecommunications research and engineering, including resolving technical telecommunications issues for the Federal government and private sector; and administers infrastructure and public telecommunications facilities grants.

For more information visit "About NTIA."

Press Releases

• Commerce Department Receives $7.9 Billion in Recovery Act Funding Essential to Job Creation and Economic Growth - February 25, 2009
  
  
• Vilsack, Copps and Wade Kick Off American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's Broadband Initiative - March 10, 2009

Content on this page is maintained by Bart Forbes, Public Affairs Specialist, at bforbes@ntia.doc.gov.