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 a crisis unlike any since the Great Depression, 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.
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.
Release: Commerce Department Receives $7.9 Billion in Recovery Act Funding Essential to Job Creation and Economic Growth (02/25/09)
Release: Vilsack, Copps and Wade Kick Off American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's Broadband Initiative (03/10/09)
Release: Vice President Biden and Secretary Locke Outline Funding for Smart Grid Initiatives (04/16/09)
The Department of Commerce is implementing the Recovery Act through programs within these bureaus:
- U.S. Census Bureau
- Economic Development Administration (EDA)
Commerce's EDA Announces $150 Million in Recovery Funds to Create Jobs and Boost Development in Areas Hit Hard by Recession (03/11/09) - National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) - visit the NIST Recovery Act Web page
NIST to Receive $610 Million Through Recovery Act (03/03/09)
NIST Announces Three-Phase Plan for Smart Grid Standards, Paving Way for More Efficient, Reliable Electricity (04/13/09)
Congress Approves NIST's Recovery Plan to Create Jobs and Foster Innovation (05/08/09) - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA Receives $830 Million Through Recovery Act (03/03/09)
NOAA Seeks Proposals That Will Restore Coastal Habitat, Create Jobs, Stimulate Economy (03/23/09)
NOAA Submits Proposed Recovery Plan to Congress to Help Create Jobs, Improve Coastal Communities and Protect Habitat (04/07/09) - National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) - visit the NTIA Recovery Act Web page
TV Converter Box Program Now Accepting Requests to replace Expired Coupons for Transition to Digital TV (03/24/09)
Agency Plans and Reports
Major Communications
- Major Communications, April 29, 2009 [PDF]
- Major Communications, April 14, 2009 [PDF]
- Major Communications, April 10, 2009 [PDF]
- Major Communications, April 7, 2009 [PDF]
- Major Communications, April 3, 2009 [PDF]
- Major Communications, March 24, 2009 [PDF]
- Major Communications, March 23, 2009 [PDF]
- Major Communications, March 11, 2009 [PDF]
- Major Communications, March 10, 2009 [PDF]
- Major Communications, March 9, 2009 [PDF]
- Major Communications, March 3, 2009 [PDF]
- Major Communications, February 25, 2009 [PDF]
Financial and Activity Reports and Weekly Reports
- Financial and Activity Report, May 1, 2009 [PDF]
- Financial and Activity Report, April 24, 2009 [PDF]
- Financial and Activity Report, April 17, 2009 [PDF]
- Financial and Activity Report, April 10, 2009 [PDF]
- Weekly Report, April 3, 2009 [PDF]
- Weekly Report, March 27, 2009 [PDF]
- Weekly Report, March 20, 2009 [PDF]
- Weekly Report, March 13, 2009 [PDF]
- Weekly Report, March 9, 2009 [PDF]
- Weekly Report, February 27, 2009 [PDF]
Learn more about our programs
Information about our programs that implement the Recovery Act will be provided in the near future.
The public should be on the lookout for scams involving proposed stimulus payments. The goals of the scams are to trick people into revealing personal and financial information, such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers, which the scammers can use to commit identity theft and to get people to send the scammer money. The Department of Commerce will never send emails or text messages or call you asking for personal or account information, such as passwords, Social Security Numbers, PINs, credit or Check Card numbers, or other confidential information.
- Last Updated:
- March 5, 2009
- Questions regarding this section may be directed to the Department of Commerce Webmaster