The Recovery Act expanded HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program with an additional $2 billion for emergency assistance grants to help states and certain local communities develop abandoned and foreclosed homes. HUD's Office of Inspector General looked at the reporting system used to monitor the program and found that it is able of collecting the basic information needed; however, HUD was also cautioned that it must strengthen its oversight of the grant recipients.

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WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $1.6 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the city of Canton, Ill., to help build a bio-medical manufacturing and business park. The project, made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), is expected to create additional jobs and generate private investment in the region.

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WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $1.6 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to Luce County of Newberry, Mich., for the expansion of the Luce County Industrial Park. The project, made possible because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), is expected to create additional jobs and private investment in the region.

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WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $1.2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Southern Carolina Regional Development Alliance of Barnwell, S.C., to make rail infrastructure improvements at the South Carolina Technology Park. The project, made possible because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), is expected to create additional jobs and private investment in the region.

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WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $3.2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the city of Ocala, Fla., to support road, water and wastewater line improvements to facilitate development of a new roadway segment of NW 44th Avenue in the city of Ocala. The project, made possible because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), is expected to create additional jobs and private investment in the region.

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has received approximately $2.8 billion in Recovery Act funding for programs, such as strengthening the nation's borders, providing new explosives detection equipment to airports, upgrading rail and transit security, and improving emergency preparedness and response capabilities. As part of its ongoing oversight, the agency's Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a report highlighting past areas of concern and potential risks that may hamper management of the Recovery funds.

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The Recovery Act calls for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to award $1.1 billion in grants to airport operators for projects that improve airport safety, capacity, and security. When reviewing FAA's process for selecting and funding the projects, the agency's Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that FAA selected some low-priority projects that have questionable economic merit—a key Recovery Act requirement. Also, in some cases, FAA awarded money to recipients with histories of grant-management problems, which raised doubts about their ability to administer effectively their Recovery funds. The OIG urged the FAA to revise its guidance on selecting Recovery-related airport improvement projects, and to ensure that funding is awarded only for the highest-priority projects with demonstrated economic merit. In addition, the OIG recommended that FAA provide stronger oversight of the entities receiving grant money.

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Cincinnati has applied to HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program for $60 million in Recovery Act funds to purchase and renovate foreclosed or abandoned homes. To determine if Cincinnati could effectively administer this funding, HUD's Office of Inspector General looked at the city's management of non-Recovery grants and identified weaknesses that, if uncorrected, will also adversely impact the city's administration of Recovery Act funds. The Office of Inspector General recommended that Cincinnati hire or contract for a sufficient number of personnel to manage its Neighborhood Stabilization Program and provide HUD with documentation showing that the issues were resolved.

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The Municipal Housing Authority for Lackawanna, New York will receive $1.5 million in Recovery Act funds for projects related to the construction, renovation, or replacement of public housing. When reviewing the Housing Authority's management of a prior contract funded with non-Recovery money, HUD's Office of Inspector General found significant weaknesses in the management of those funds that may impact the administration of Recovery funds. The Office of Inspector General recommended that HUD prohibit Recovery funds from being used to complete the prior contract and ensure that the Housing Authority's procurement operations comply with federal regulations.

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WASHINGTON —The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,000,000 grant to provide approximately 1,800 jobless workers with partial premium payments for health insurance coverage.

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WASHINGTON - Recipients of funds disbursed by federal agencies under the $787 billion economic recovery program will be able to register at a government website beginning Monday, Aug. 17.

State and local governments, contractors, universities, non-profits and others that have received a grant, loan or contract of $25,000 or more under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 are required to register on the website, www.FederalReporting.gov. Individual recipients of Recovery funds are not required to register or report.

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Loan Guarantees Will Help Create New Jobs while Fostering Clean Energy Innovation

Washington, DC - U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that the Department of Energy will provide up to $30 billion in loan guarantees, depending on the applications and market conditions, for renewable energy projects. Another $750 million will support several billion dollars more in loan guarantees for projects that increase the reliability, efficiency and security of the nation's transmission system. The two new loan guarantee solicitations announced today are being funded partly through the Recovery Act and partly through 2009 appropriations.

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The Social Security Administration (SSA) received $500 million in Recovery Act funds to address retirement and disability workloads. SSA fully funds the salaries and other costs of certain state employees who perform critical work in SSA's disability programs. However, because of the recent economic downturn, several states have furloughed employees -- including disability determination staff. The Office of Inspector General (OIG)'s report provides critical information on how furloughs of state disability determination employees will impact SSA's ability to process disability work. The OIG also notes that because fewer disability decisions will be made in states that have furloughed disability determination staff, there will be a negative impact on the flow of money in the U.S. economy. As such, the OIG's report informs Agency decision makers on where to assign Recovery Act funds to the various state disability determination offices.

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HHS Deputy Secretary Bill Corr today announced the release of $13.4 million for loan repayments to nurses who agree to practice in facilities with critical shortages and for schools of nursing to provide loans to students who will become nurse faculty. The funds were made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), signed Feb. 17, 2009, by President Obama.

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WASHINGTON —The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $20,351,150 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Hawaii. Hawaii qualified for these funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by including certain family-friendly provisions in its UI law.

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The General Services Administration (GSA) received $5.55 billion in Recovery Act funding to construct courthouses, federal buildings, and border stations, and to convert federal buildings to high-performance green buildings. In assessing GSA's ability to effectively manage these funds, the GSA Office of Inspector General (OIG) identified several challenges that should be addressed. The agency needs to hire or contract a sufficient number of qualified personnel who buy goods and services on GSA's behalf. To manage construction projects and related purchases, the agency should establish a thorough planning and documentation process, as well as develop alternate funding avenues. In addition, the OIG reminded the agency of the minimum requirements for converting federal building to high-performance green buildings.

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Of the $500 million in Recovery Act funding the Social Security Administration (SSA) received to administer disability and retirement payments, up to $40 million can be used for an electronic medical records system to process disability claims. SSA's Office of Inspector reviewed the agency's spending plan for the electronic records system and found that the plan met the requirements established by the Recovery Act and the guidelines issued by the Office of Management and Budget. The Office of Inspector General noted that the agency is planning to spend $24 million for contracts and projects related to electronic medical records technology by January, 2010 and recommended that once the $24 million is awarded, the agency reassess whether it could award additional contracts and, therefore, expend more of the $40 million allotted for this initiative.

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Funding will stimulate the production of thousands of housing units stalled by recession while creating tens of thousands of jobs across the country
WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced that HUD is approving the final round of plans submitted by state housing finance agencies totaling over a billion dollars to jumpstart affordable housing programs in 26 states throughout the country that are currently stalled due to the economic recession. This brings the total amount of funding now at work under this program to $2.25 billion dollars in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
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WASHINGTON — During a visit to Iowa today, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced a $521,910 grant to assist approximately 90 workers affected by layoffs at Featherlite Inc. located in Cresco, Iowa.

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The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Education conducted an analysis of 41 audits and 13 investigations that took place between 2003 to 2009 and identified various weaknesses in the administration of grants by State and local education agencies. These agencies will receive dramatic increases in funding through the Recovery Act, and in order to minimize fraud and mismanagement, the OIG has recommended that the Department enhance the guidance on grant requirements as well as fraud awareness and prevention.

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Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced the availability of $24 million in contracts to provide the agency with electronic medical records to improve the efficiency of its disability programs. Through a Request for Proposals available on www.fedbizopps.gov, Social Security is looking for health care providers, provider networks, and health information exchanges to participate in its Medical Evidence Gathering and Analysis through Health Information Technology (IT) program.

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The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) reviewed the agency's control over the distribution of $173 million in Recovery Act funds for direct
farm-operating loans. USDA's Farm Services Agency makes these loans directly to farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain commercial credit from banks or other financial institutions. The OIG evaluated the process for determining borrower eligibility and the requirements for how the loans are used, and recommended that the agency strengthen both.

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that it met the July 1, 2009 deadline to create more than 2,200 new jobs across the country. Funding for the positions was made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The new employees will support the agency's 2010 Census partnership program.

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HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today unveiled a new feature on Grants.gov to help users find and apply for The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant opportunities. Grants.gov contains information about finding and applying for all federal grant programs.

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HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today provided the down payment for a nationwide effort to reduce health care associated infections in stand-alone or same-day surgical centers. The first effort will begin later this month in 12 states under provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

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Obama Administration Starts $4.35 Billion "Race to the Top" Competition, Pledges a Total of $10 Billion for Reforms

President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that states leading the way on school reform will be eligible to compete for $4.35 billion in Race to the Top competitive grants to support education reform and innovation in classrooms. Between the 2009 budget and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), more than $10 billion in grant money will be available to states and districts that are driving reform.

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Second Half of Title I, IDEA and VR Funds to be Released 30 Days Early
Washington, DC — U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that the Department will accelerate stimulus spending by making $11.37 billion in Title I, IDEA, and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) funding, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), available to states one month early to help save jobs and drive reform.
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Aids Recovery in Construction and Service Sectors

WASHINGTON - Building on Recovery Act provisions implemented earlier this year, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced today it can now provide surety bond guarantees on federal contracts valued at up to $10 million, if the contracting officer certifies that the guarantee is in the best interests of the government. An Interim Final Rule is available for public inspection at The Federal Register.
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Grants will boost energy efficiency, create jobs in Native American communities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today that HUD is awarding 50 grants, totaling $100 million, to Native American communities across the country to improve housing and stimulate community development.

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General Services Administration Press Release

WASHINGTON – In a major step toward developing a state-of-the-art website that provides the public with a user-friendly portal to see how recovery money is being spent, the U.S. General Services Administration, on behalf of the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, recently awarded Smartronix Inc. with a contract to build the new Recovery.gov website.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced a new Web site (www.ContinuationCoverage.net) and helpline (1-866-400-6689) where certain unemployed workers may request expedited review of a denial by their former employers of eligibility for COBRA premium assistance under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

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The Recovery Act provides an estimated $87 billion in additional funding to the states through 2010 to protect and maintain their Medicaid programs in the current economic downturn. In its second audit of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Recovery Act funding, the HHS Office of Inspector General found that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services correctly calculated temporary increases in Medicaid's Federal medical assistance percentages for the first two quarters of Fiscal Year 2009 (i.e., October 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009), and awarded approximately $15.2 billion in additional funding to the states.

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The Recovery Act has provided the General Services Administration (GSA) with significant opportunities to repair and upgrade its historic buildings. However the rigid spending deadline in the Act has meant that the GSA must consider alternatives for identifying and assessing the effects of the repairs and upgrades as required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

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Qualified contracting officers are important to ensuring that the Small Business Administration (SBA) gets the best value for goods and services purchased with its Recovery Act funds. In a report issued by the agency's Office of Inspector General (OIG), it was noted that SBA gave contracting officers authority to make purchases on the agency's behalf without ensuring that they met required education, training, and experience. The OIG recommended that SBA establish better controls over the certification program and the process for authorizing contracting officers to buy goods and services.
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WASHINGTON—In a major step toward developing a state-of-the-art Recovery.gov website, a contract was awarded this week to Smartronix, Inc., a Maryland information technology firm. The company will build the new website for the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, an independent agency that manages Recovery.gov and monitors spending under the $787 billion Recovery program.

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $558,591 grant to assist approximately 160 workers affected by layoffs at eight manufacturing companies located in southern New Hampshire.
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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $578,574 grant to assist approximately 50 workers affected by layoffs at Sauer Danfoss Inc. in Hillsboro, Ore.
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The Social Security Administration (SSA) received $500 million in Recovery Act funding to replace its 30-year old National Computer Center, which supports SSA's delivery of essential services, such as providing benefits and issuing Social Security cards. The computer center is currently under stress due to its age, design, and increasing workload as baby boomers retire. When looking at the agency's disaster recovery plan, the Office of Inspector General recommended expediting the Durham Support Center—a secondary site scheduled to come online in 2013—because it will have expanded computer and power supply capabilities and, therefore, can help avoid service disruptions if a disaster occurs.

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Funding to stimulate the production of thousands of housing units stalled by recession while creating jobs across the country

WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced that HUD is approving plans submitted by state housing finance agencies for $1,035,322,485 to jump start affordable housing programs in states throughout the country that are currently stalled due to the economic recession. Funded through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), HUD's new Tax Credit Assistance Program (TCAP) will allow 26 state housing finance agencies to resume funding of affordable rental housing projects across the nation while stimulating employment in the hard-hit construction trades.

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GSA Projects Will Yield Higher-Performing, Money-Saving, Greener Federal Buildings

WASHINGTON — The U.S. General Services Administration marked a major milestone in its implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act today, as it brought its total investments in construction projects to date to more than $1 billion.
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Funding Will Speed Adoption of Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies in California, Missouri, New Hampshire and North Carolina

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $154 million in Recovery Act funding to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in California, Missouri, New Hampshire and North Carolina. Under DOE's State Energy Program, states have proposed statewide plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative is part of the Obama Administration's national strategy to support job growth, while making a historic down payment on clean energy and conservation.

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Cash Assistance Will Increase Economic Development, Promote Renewable Energy Use Program Guidance Now Available to Businesses to Facilitate Swift Implementation

WASHINGTON - As part of an innovative partnership aimed at increasing economic development in urban and rural areas while setting our nation on the path to energy independence, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Energy today announced an estimated $3 billion for the development of renewable energy projects around the country and made available the guidance businesses will need to submit a successful application. Funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), the program will provide direct payments in lieu of tax credits in support of an estimated 5,000 bio-mass, solar, wind, and other types of renewable energy production facilities.

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Up to $408 million in Recovery Act Funding for New Technologies to Advance Carbon Capture and Storage

Washington, DC — U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that projects by Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Hydrogen Energy International LLC have been selected for up to $408 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The two projects selected -- an existing power plant in North Dakota and a new facility in California -- will incorporate advanced technologies to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

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Funding Will Speed Adoption of Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $96 million in Recovery Act funding to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Ohio, Oregon, Virginia and West Virginia. Under DOE's State Energy Program, states have proposed statewide plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative is part of the Obama Administration's national strategy to support job growth, while making a historic down payment on clean energy and conservation.

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Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance programs, create jobs and weatherize more than 85,000 homes

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that the Department of Energy is providing more than $304 million in Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance programs in Georgia, Illinois and New York. These funds, along with additional funds to be disbursed after the states meet certain Recovery Act milestones, will help these states achieve their goal of weatherizing more than 85,000 homes, lowering energy costs for low-income families that need it, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating green jobs across the country.

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Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance programs, create jobs and weatherize more than 91,000 homes in Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota and New Hampshire

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that the Department of Energy is providing more than $288 million in Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance programs in Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, and New Hampshire. These funds, along with additional funds to be disbursed after the states meet certain Recovery Act milestones, will help these states achieve their goal of weatherizing more than 91,000 homes, lowering energy costs for low-income families that need it, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating green jobs across the country.

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Funding Will Speed Adoption of Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies in Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, New York, and the Virgin Islands

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $153 million in Recovery Act funding to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, New York, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Under DOE's State Energy Program, states and territories have proposed statewide plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative is part of the Obama Administration's national strategy to support job growth, while making a historic down payment on clean energy and conservation.

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Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance programs, create jobs and weatherize more than 125,000 homes in Alabama, Idaho, Maine, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that the Department of Energy is providing more than $448 million in Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance programs in Alabama, Idaho, Maine, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These funds, along with additional funds to be disbursed after the states meet certain Recovery Act milestones, will help to weatherize more than 125,000 homes, cutting energy costs for low-income families that need it, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating green jobs across the country.

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Funding Will Speed Adoption of Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies in Hawaii, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands and Texas

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $141 million in Recovery Act funding to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Hawaii, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, the Northern Mariana Islands and Texas. Under DOE's State Energy Program, states and territories have proposed statewide plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This program is part of the Obama Administration's national strategy to support job growth, while making a historic down payment on clean energy and conservation.

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Program Benefits Every U.S. State and Territory

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the availability of nearly $300 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for state-run rebate programs for consumer purchases of new ENERGY STAR® qualified home appliances. The new program underscores the Obama Administration's commitment to make American homes more energy efficient, while helping to support the nation's economic recovery.

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