Economy

Projects Aim to Accelerate Adoption of Solar Energy and Develop Solar Workforce

October 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – At the opening of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon on the National Mall, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced up to $87 million will be made available to support the development of new solar energy technologies and the rapid deployment of available carbon-free solar energy systems. Of this funding, $50 million comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.    » read more »

October 9, 2009 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today announced more than $14 million in grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for programs providing energy efficiency upgrades to middle income homes and small businesses in Washington.

Eight private and public projects across the state – including Pioneer Human Services, the Opportunity Council, the City of Ellensburg, Snohomish County PUD, Sustainable Living Center, Sustainable Works, the Thurston Economic Development Council, and Clark Public Utilities – were selected by an independent review committee based on their ability to:

· Increase energy efficiency in residential and small commercial buildings – reducing energy use and utility expenses for middle-income residents of our state.    » read more »

Oct. 9, 2009 -- The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (RIDE) has distributed to school districts a total of $74.6 million in federal stimulus funds for the current fiscal year, Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist announced today (October 8th, 2009).

The funds, made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), are meant to save and create jobs and improve student achievement by advancing reform in four essential areas: improving teacher effectiveness, supporting and intervening in the lowest-performing schools, establishing world-class standards and assessments that are internationally benchmarked, and developing data systems to track progress and foster improvement.    » read more »

First Federal Reports on Stimulus Spending Due This Weekend

Oct. 9, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Thousands of people are working in Pennsylvania because of funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and millions are receiving direct benefits that help put food on their tables and keep their families afloat, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell said today.

Just six months into the 36-month stimulus initiative, Pennsylvania has nearly 40 percent of the funds that will be available invested or in progress. A U.S. House committee ranks Pennsylvania 7th among states for putting transportation funding to work.    » read more »

Oct. 12, 2009 -- (Salem) – “Today’s employment report is encouraging news. However, full economic recovery will be slow and I believe the state and all levels of government need to continue to be cautious and prudent in their budgeting.

“As Governor my focus remains on creating jobs, retaining jobs and helping those families seeking employment make ends meet during these difficult times.    » read more »

Report shows stimulus funding has helped thousands of Oregonians in every corner of the state including the creation/retention of more than 8000 jobs

Oct. 12, 2009 -- (Salem) – Today as part of the first official report to the Federal government, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) has created and retained more than the equivalent of 8000 full-time jobs in Oregon since it was signed into law in February of this year.

“With this report, I can say with full confidence that the Recovery Act provided Oregon a much needed parachute for what was a free falling economy,” Governor Kulongoski said at an event where he was joined by Oregon companies that are putting people to work because of the Recovery Act.    » read more »

U.S. Department of Energy Awards Hudson Valley Community College and New York City

October 9, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the award of $4.4 million for solar energy projects in New York State. Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) received $3.5 million to develop a new solar photovoltaic training facility that will provide critical support for Governor Paterson’s efforts to develop the clean energy workforce.

Additionally, New York City received $932,508 to support development of solar electric generation. The awards were made by the U.S. Department of Energy with funds available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).    » read more »

October 10, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - In a continuing effort to promote accountability and transparency for Missouri taxpayers while complying with all the requirements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the state today submitted its initial report to the federal government on expenditure of ARRA funds.

This report provides information on investment through September 30 of ARRA grant funds of which the state is the prime recipient. Current information on investment of ARRA grant funds administered by the state is available on the Transparency page of the Transform Missouri Initiative website at transform.mo.gov.    » read more »

Funds to boost comprehensive homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing efforts

BOSTON – Thursday, October 08, 2009 – As part of the Patrick-Murray Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today announced that the state will steer $17.9 million in federal recovery funds to community-based nonprofits throughout the Commonwealth to address the needs of families and individuals who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming so. A full list of awards is attached.    » read more »

Federal Assistance Helping State Maintain Priorities

October 12, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear said today that the federal stimulus program is doing exactly what it is intended to do—pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into Kentucky’s economy and delivering on its promise of maintaining jobs and programs in education and health care.

The Governor released details today of how stimulus dollars, part of the American Recovery and Re-Investment Act of 2009, have been utilized and also announced that his administration had met the first round of federal reporting requirements. The requirements are part of a series of deadlines established by the Obama administration and Congress for states to specifically detail the use of stimulus dollars.    » read more »

October 12, 2009 -- WILMINGTON – Delaware Governor Jack Markell on Monday encouraged Delaware’s business leaders to play an even larger part in turning our economy around by serving as “eyes and ears” for the state’s economic development officials.

Business owners, Markell told the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, should let state officials know when they hear of businesses interested in expanding or relocating in Delaware, and they should also raise a red flag when they hear of fellow business owners who are running into governmental red tape.    » read more »

Funds to provide more scholarships, recruitment and training

October 12, 2009 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that the state has applied for nearly $5 million in federal stimulus funds to build the ranks of nurses and other health care careers in Connecticut by providing more scholarships, affordable education and retraining opportunities to residents who are unemployed or working in low-income jobs.    » read more »

State Government Entities to Manage Approximately 50 Percent of Recovery Act Funds Distributed by the Federal Government in California

10/10/2009 -- The California Recovery Task Force today announced that preliminary first quarter reports show American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds managed by state government entities have cumulatively saved or created over 100,000 jobs in California through September 30, 2009.    » read more »

October 8, 2009 -- Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) announced today that he is working to ensure that unemployment insurance (UI) is extended quickly and fairly to jobless workers in all 50 states, including Connecticut.

“In these challenging economic times, unemployment insurance can be a vital lifeline for so many in Connecticut,” said Dodd. “It is critically important that those hit hard by the recent downturn get the benefits they’ve earned, regardless of the state they live in. I will continue to fight to ensure that Connecticut residents who have lost their jobs are afforded the same number of weeks of coverage that others across the country are receiving.”    » read more »

Seasonally Adjusted Data

Oct. 8, 2009 -- In the week ending Oct. 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 521,000, a decrease of 33,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 554,000. The 4-week moving average was 539,750, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's revised average of 548,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 4.5 percent for the week ending Sept. 26, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate of 4.6 percent.    » read more »