ARRA - Latest News and Headlines

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $786,901 grant to assist about 183 workers affected by layoffs at BAE Systems Inc. in Fridley, Minn.

"While we are seeing positive signs in our economy, we won't be satisfied until all unemployed workers are able to quickly prepare for and enter good jobs that lead to long-term careers," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Today's grant will provide these Minnesotans with the re-employment and retraining services necessary to find new jobs in promising industries."

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Utah Recovery Dollars Have Provided Funding For More Than 1,900 Education Jobs

U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that an additional $129,552,001 is now available for Utah under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. To date, Utah has received $741,979,396 through the Recovery Act. The state recently reported that recovery dollars have been used to provide funding for more than 1,900 education jobs from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2009, while also supporting programs that drive education reform.

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Iowa Recovery Dollars Have Provided Funding For More Than 6,200 Education Jobs

U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that an additional $127,503,336 is now available for Iowa under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. To date, Iowa has received $864,657,970 through the Recovery Act. The State recently reported that recovery dollars have been used to provide funding for more than 6,200 education jobs from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2009, while also supporting programs that drive education reform.

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Florida Recovery Dollars Have Provided Funding For More Than 24,000 Education Jobs

U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that an additional $728,916,950 is now available for Florida under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. To date, Florida has received $4,444,352,773 through the Recovery Act. The state recently reported that recovery dollars have been used to provide funding for more than 24,000 education jobs from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2009, while also supporting programs that drive education reform.

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Michigan Recovery Dollars Have Provided Funding For More Than 9,300 Education Jobs

U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that an additional $429,781,767 is now available for Michigan under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. To date, Michigan has received $2,765,006,656 through the Recovery Act. The state recently reported that recovery dollars have been used to provide funding for more than 9,300 education jobs from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2009, while also supporting programs that drive education reform.

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Build America Bonds Provide More Than $70 Billion Nationally to Date
Report Details Cumulative, State by State Bond Issuances
Recovery Act Bond Program Boosts Economic Development

WASHINGTON – As part of the effort to increase transparency in government and maintain accountability of funds allocated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), the Treasury Department today provided another comprehensive update on issuances of the Build America Bonds program, including state-by-state data.  The Build America Bonds program is a new financing tool created by the Recovery Act to allow state and local governments to obtain much-needed funding, at lower borrowing costs, for projects such as construction of schools and hospitals, development of transportation infrastructure, and water and sewer upgrades.

Description: Seven miles of ageing track on the Blue Line Dearborn Subway in Chicago have been replaced using $88 million of Recovery Act funds.

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Left: Older track components are removed to make way for the new as part of the Chicago Transit Authority's Dearborn Subway Track Renewal project.  39,000 feet of track were replaced according to CTA. (Photos courtesy of CTA)

The city’s Blue Line Dearborn Subway had been plagued by “slow zones”— sections  of track beyond normal service life that required train speeds to be sharply restricted in these areas, in some cases down to as little as 6 mph.  Replacing seven miles of track in these slow zones has significantly improved travel time and safety on this major commuter line.

The $88 million track replacement project began in April 2009 and was carried out in three phases by Kiewit-Reyes, a joint-venture between two major contractors, the Reyes Group and Kiewit Western Co. In the first two phases, 20,000 feet of track was replaced between the Division Street and Grand Street stations. The final phase focused on refurbishing 19,000 feet of track between Clark/Lake Street and UIC-Halsted Street stations. All work was completed at the end of 2009, allowing trains to resume normal speeds of up to 55 mph.

Prior to the Recovery award, funding constraints had severely limited track maintenance and repair, CTA President Richard L. Rodriguez said.  “The replacement of track and rail ties in the Dearborn subway as a result of the stimulus program has allowed trains to resume normal speeds and prevent emerging slow zones in the future.” Rodriguez added, “Riders are traveling faster and more comfortably as the track replacement creates a smoother ride."

Kiewit-Reyes hired six subcontractors for various aspects of the project, including electrical work, trucking, materials, supplies, and track testing.

More projects in Illinois

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Recovery Act Funding to Lay Groundwork for Enhanced Internet Services

WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced that it has awarded grants to fund broadband mapping and planning activities in Virginia and American Samoa under NTIA’s State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program. The program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will increase broadband access and adoption through better data collection and broadband planning. The data will be displayed in NTIA's national broadband map, a tool that will inform policymakers' efforts and provide consumers with improved information on the broadband Internet services available to them.

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Cooperative Agreement Opportunities for National Organizations

National organizations will have a key role in building a healthier nation as part of the new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative.  HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a funding opportunity for national public or private non-profit organizations to apply for $10 million in cooperative agreements to help communities decrease smoking and obesity, increase physical activity and improve nutrition.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced 23 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments to help bridge the technological divide, boost economic growth, create jobs and improve education and healthcare cross the country. The grants will increase broadband access and adoption in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. The grants, totaling more than $160 million, will lay the groundwork to bring high-speed Internet access to millions of households and businesses, and link up thousands of schools, hospitals, libraries, and public safety offices to the information superhighway.

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Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the first 11 airports to receive advanced imaging technology (AIT) units purchased with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds—strengthening security at airports throughout the country while boosting local economies.

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Today the Department of Education announced that 15 states and the District of Columbia will advance as finalists for phase 1 of the Race to the Top competition. Race to the Top is the Department's $4.35 billion effort to dramatically re-shape America's educational system to better engage and prepare our students for success in a competitive 21st century economy and workplace.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today, joined by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, announced a $4.7 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) investment to help bridge the technological divide and increase economic opportunities in Clark County, Nevada. The grant will upgrade or open a total of 29 public computer centers in public housing developments and community and senior centers, as well as provide computer skills classes, job training and certification programs, and support community health programs through local partner organizations.

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WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced a $7.25 million Recovery Act investment to bridge the technological divide and increase economic opportunities in vulnerable and low-income communities in Los Angeles, the Central Valley, Orange County, San Diego, and the Inland Empire in California. The grant will fund digital literacy training for more than 675,000 individuals, enabling them to make use of key educational, employment, and health resources online.