Economic Recovery

Our nation faces real challenges in balancing the need to bring down the federal deficit with the need to invest in our long-term economic prosperity. We have much to do in order to get our economy back on track, and we need responsible investments and common-sense regulatory reform to ultimately improve the ability of our nation to compete in the global economy. We still have important work to do to address the foreclosure crisis and shore-up the real estate market and we also must take steps to repair our banking system so that credit will begin flowing again to consumers and small businesses.

arra

In February, Congress adopted the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), a bipartisan compromise includes a blend of investments and targeted tax relief that will create jobs for Virginians and that will give President Obama the resources to help restart the economy.

Here are recent announcements of where the money will be allocated:

May 8, 2009

New equipment for Roanoke Airport

ARRAThe Department of Homeland Security announced today that Roanoke Regional Airport will receive new security equipment worth $772,125, purchased with funds provided to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) through the economic recovery package. 

The Roanoke Airport will receive explosive detection systems which can quickly scan bags and analyzes the contents for explosives. Similar equipment is currently in place at more than 200 airports.    

The executive director of the Roanoke Regional Airport, Jacqueline Shuck, said today: 

"We are very excited about this news and our passengers will be thrilled to have their checked baggage screened automatically. The receipt of these two machines will coordinate perfectly with the $2,000,000 baggage system improvement project we have planned for 2010."

Senator Warner said today: “These purchases will provide the Roanoke Regional Airport with state-of-the-art security technology and improve customer service for passengers."

Today's announcement comprises $50 million of the $1 billion total allocation to TSA through the economic stimulus plan. 



  • 05/07/09 -
    Fast-tracking Dulles Rail funding
    The Department of Transportation announced today that it will release $77.3 million through the economic recovery package for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail extension project.
  • 05/08/09 -
    Current record
  • 05/18/09 -
    A boost in unemployment funds
    The Department of Labor announced today that Virginia will receive $62.8 million from the economic recovery package for unemployment insurance funds.
  • 05/21/09 -
    Funding for rural development
    Earlier this week, Senator Warner announced that the Department of Agriculture will release $1.2 million from the stimulus package to provide grants or loans to 31 localities and non-profit organizations to fund community facilities and emergency responder projects in Virginia.
  • 05/26/09 -
    Stimulus funds for schools
    Senator Warner announced today that the Department of Education will release $806 million from the economic recovery package to help address the budget shortfall Virginia’s education system is facing. The funding will help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts.

Here are some helpful links:

  • Recovery.gov

    The Obama Administration's website for the federal grant awards and contracts from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

  • FinancialStablility.gov

    A site from the Treasury Department that brings transparency and clarity to the plan to shore up our financial system

  • Stimulus.Virginia.gov

    The state government's website that tracks the distribution and allocation of recovery package funds by the Commonwealth of Virginia to local communities and organizations