Recovery.gov News

U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke Announces $886,000 Recovery Act Grant to Create Jobs, Boost Development in Fosston, Minnesota

2009-08-28T17:40:00Z

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced an $886,000 Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the city of Fosston, Minn., to build infrastructure to support the expansion of the Fosston 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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U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke Announces $2.2 Million Recovery Act Grant to Create Jobs, Boost Development in Bristol Bay Borough, Alaska

2009-08-28T17:38:00Z

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $2.2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to Bristol Bay Borough of Naknek, Alaska, to purchase a crane and two forklifts for use at the town of Naknek's dock. 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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Housing Authority for New London, CT Lacks the Capacity to Properly Administer Recovery Act Funds

2009-08-07T15:55:00Z

New London, CT, will receive more than $381,000 in Recovery Act assistance for its Capital Fund program that renovates and modernizes public housing developments. Because the city has had trouble managing this program in the past, HUD's Office of Inspector General (OIG) evaluated New London's ability to administer the Recovery funds connected to this program. The OIG found several weaknesses and recommended that HUD:

fully implement its strategy to ensure that the New London Housing Authority manage its Recovery-related grants in accordance with requirements established by HUD and the Recovery Act
require New London to maintain stronger purchasing and accounting controls over its Capital Fund Program, as well as repay HUD $91,027 in unsupported Capital Fund administrative fees.

Health and Human Services Implements Controls Over Community Services Block Grant Program

2009-08-05T17:20:00Z

In 2006, the Government Accountability Office made nine recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on how to improve the management of and internal controls over the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program. In response to the program's receiving $1 billion in Recovery Act funds to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and empower self-sufficiency in low-income families, the HHS Office of Inspector General reviewed the agency's progress in addressing six of the nine recommendations in the original report and found that HHS had completed the following actions:

conducted a risk-based assessment of state CSBG programs and established policies and procedures to ensure onsite monitoring of the states with the highest risk
implemented policies and procedures to improve the agency's onsite monitoring of state CSBG programs
took steps to ensure the timely submission of the statutorily required annual report to Congress on the CSBG program

Treasury Has Made Progress in Implementing the Energy Grant Program

2009-08-05T16:09:00Z

The Recovery Act calls for the Treasury Department to provide grants in lieu of tax credits to qualified developers placing in service certain types of facilities or equipment for the production of renewable energy, such as solar and wind. The Treasury Department's Office of Inspector General (OIG) audited the agency's ability to implement the new program and meet the Recovery Act's requirements. In its report, the OIG noted Treasury's progress but identified several weaknesses that the agency must address and recommended that Treasury:

finalize an agreement with the Department of Energy for advisory services related to the energy program
identify and address staffing requirements for managing potentially thousands of complex grant applications and implement a process to periodically evaluate workforce needs, and
assess potential risks involved with developing and administering the grant program and develop mitigating controls.

Reporting System Able to Monitor HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program

2009-06-25T15:34:00Z

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 by:

conducting on-site reviews of the grantees' properties
monitoring more closely grantees' plans for using the funds and their quarterly performance reports to HUD, which should include the addresses of properties, and
requiring additional information showing compliance with the grant requirements.

Department of Homeland Security's Staffing and Accounting Weaknesses May Put Recovery Act Funds At Risk

2009-06-30T18:43:00Z

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.The OIG recommended that the agency:

address the shortage of skilled personnel obtaining goods and services, and the shortage of personnel managing grant programs;
institute a personnel hiring and development plan to ensure that Recovery-related contracts comply with federal regulations; and
develop an action plan to reduce risks involved in spending and monitoring Recovery funds.

U.S. Labor Department announces release of $89.3 million in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to Wisconsin

2009-08-27T16:15:00Z

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $89,289,386 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Wisconsin. Wisconsin qualified for the remaining two-thirds of its share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by updating its UI program to reflect the 21st century workforce.

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U.S. Department of Labor announces grant exceeding $316,000 to assist workers in Maine affected by automotive industry layoffs

2009-08-25T16:18:00Z

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $316,458 grant to assist approximately 80 workers affected by layoffs at Formed Fiber Technologies Inc. located in Auburn, Maine.

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U.S. Department of Labor announces more than $3.4 million to continue to assist Minnesota workers affected by manufacturing industry layoffs

2009-08-26T16:16:00Z

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,446,051 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to assist workers across the state of Minnesota affected by layoffs from five companies in the manufacturing and retail industries: Celestica, Hutchinson Technology Inc., International Business Machines (IBM), Seagate Technology Inc. and Target.

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GSA Invests $1 Billion in Recovery Act Construction Projects Nationwide

2009-07-30T13:36:00Z

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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Commerce and Agriculture Announce Strong Demand for First Round of Funding to Bring Broadband, Jobs to More Americans

2009-08-27T19:07:00Z

Nearly 2,200 Diverse Applications Submitted for Share of $4 Billion in Funding to Expand Broadband Access and Adoption

WASHINGTON- The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced today that they received almost 2,200 applications requesting nearly $28 billion in funding for proposed broadband projects reaching all 50 U.S. states and territories and the District of Columbia. This is the first round of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding aimed at expanding broadband access and adoption to help bridge the technological divide and create jobs building Internet infrastructure, with $4 billion available through loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations.

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U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke Announces $700,000 Recovery Act Grant to Create Jobs, Boost Development in Albert Lea, Minnesota

2009-08-27T17:33:00Z

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $700,000 Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to Greater Jobs, Inc., and the city of Albert Lea, Minn., to help build an access road to serve the I35-I90 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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U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke Announces $2 Million Recovery Act Grant to Create Jobs, Boost Development in Centralia and Wamac, Illinois

2009-08-27T17:32:00Z

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the cities of Centralia and Wamac, Ill., to help make roadway updates to improve access to Centralia Industrial Park #1. 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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U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke Announces $1.4 Million Recovery Act Grant to Create Jobs, Boost Development in Longview, Washington

2009-08-27T16:18:00Z

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $1.4 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the city of Longview, Wash., to extend Weber Avenue and provide water infrastructure to serve the Mint Farm 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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U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke Announces $2.783 Million Recovery Act Grant to Create Jobs, Boost Development in Carrollton, Kentucky

2009-08-27T16:17:00Z

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $2.783 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the city of Carrollton, Ky., to make water treatment facility upgrades to serve existing and future commercial and industrial needs. 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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U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke Announces $1 Million Recovery Act Grant to Create Jobs, Boost Development in Dillingham, Alaska

2009-08-27T16:16:00Z

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $1 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the city of Dillingham, Alaska to expand an existing dock and install a crane to boost the commercial fishing sector. 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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U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke Announces $1.6 Million Recovery Act Grant to Create Jobs, Boost Development in Social Circle, Georgia

2009-08-27T16:15:00Z

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $1.6 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the city of Social Circle, Ga., to help build water and sewer infrastructure needed to spur business development in the region. 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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U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke Announces $2.5 Million Recovery Act Grant to Create Jobs, Boost Development in Wilder, Idaho

2009-08-27T16:09:00Z

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $2.5 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Canyon Owyhee School Service Agency of Greenleaf, Idaho to convert an existing building in Wilder for use as a regional vocational training facility. 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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U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke Announces $2.2 Million Recovery Act Grant to Create Jobs, Boost Development in Tampa Bay, Florida

2009-08-25T15:54:00Z

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $2.2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Tampa Port Authority, Tampa, Fla., to help replace the steel bulkhead at Berth 230 at the Port of Tampa. 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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U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke Announces $1.7 Million Recovery Act Grant to Create Jobs, Boost Development in Augusta, Georgia

2009-08-25T15:52:00Z

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $1.7 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, Inc., Augusta, Ga., to help convert an existing retail space for use as the Goodwill Career Campus. 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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Recovery Act Expands SBA Microloan Program

2009-08-19T20:54:00Z

New Intermediaries Will Provide Greater Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs

WASHINGTON - With the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding an additional $50 million for loans and $24 million for technical assistance, the U.S. Small Business Administration is expanding its Microloan program and increasing access to capital for small businesses across the country.

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Department of Energy Announces Billions in Lending Authority for Renewable Energy Projects and to Modernize the Grid

2009-07-29T19:26:00Z

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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U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke Announces $4.7 Million Recovery Act Grant to Create Jobs, Boost Development in Tucson, Arizona

2009-08-24T16:49:00Z

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $4.7 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Arizona Board of Regents and the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., to build infrastructure to support phase-one development of the Arizona Bioscience 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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Social Security Administration Inspector General Issues Report on Impact of State Employee Furloughs on the Social Security Administration's Disability Programs

2009-03-27T20:36:00Z

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.

NIST Awards Contract to Sustain Fast Track Development of Smart Grid Standards

2009-08-21T17:49:00Z

GAITHERSBURG, Md.—The U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced today that EnerNex Corporation, Knoxville, Tenn., was awarded a contract to help NIST sustain the accelerated development of the hundreds of compatible standards that will be required to build a secure, interoperable smart electric power grid. NIST is obligating a portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds allocated to NIST through the Department of Energy to the contract.

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Department of Energy Inspector General Issues ARRA Special Report

2009-03-25T17:03:00Z

The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Inspector General has issued a report that provides “lessons learned” and suggests approaches to reduce the risk associated with managing the unprecedented levels of Recovery Act funding. The report identifies specific risks based on past reviews, suggests actions for Recovery Act planning and program execution, describes DOE’s initial efforts to identify and develop strategies to achieve objectives, and outlines the Office of Inspector General’s risk-based approach to oversight.
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Secretary of Commerce Announces $40 Million in Recovery Act Projects to Support Efficient Marine Navigation and Create Jobs

2009-08-20T16:51:00Z

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced in Norfolk, Va. today $40 million for critical hydrographic survey and chart projects across the United States that strengthen the economy, create jobs, and support safe and efficient marine commerce and trade. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will allocate $32 million to utilize hydrographic surveying contractors to collect data in critical coastal areas which are used to map the seafloor and update nautical charts.

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EPA Needs to Revise its Methods for Calculating Grant Recipients' Costs

2009-08-19T16:36:00Z

EPA received approximately $72 billion in Recovery Act funding for programs and projects, such as cleaning up superfund sites and helping local communities with water quality and wastewater infrastructure needs. The agency's Office of Inspector General (OIG) looked at how EPA planned to calculate its Fiscal Year 2009 "grant accruals," which represent grantee costs incurred but not yet billed. The OIG noted that EPA planned to combine Recovery-related grants with traditional grants and use the same methodology to calculate the accruals for both. The OIG cautioned that this approach could distort the accrual amount, and recommended that EPA separate out the Recovery grants to obtain a more accurate accrual report.

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Department of Commerce Announces $1.6 Million Recovery Act Grant To Create Jobs, Boost Development in Canton, Illinois

2009-08-17T15:53:00Z

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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Department of Commerce Announces $1.6 Million Recovery Act Grant to Create Jobs, Boost Development in Newberry, Michigan

2009-08-17T15:55:00Z

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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Department of Commerce Announces $1.2 Million Recovery Act Grant to Create Jobs, Boost Development in Barnwell, South Carolina

2009-08-17T15:56:00Z

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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Department of Commerce Announces $3.2 Million Recovery Act Grant to Create Jobs, Boost Development in Ocala, Florida

2009-08-17T15:59:00Z

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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Federal Aviation Administration Needs to Strengthen Selection and Award Processes for Airport Improvement Grants

2009-08-06T18:40:00Z

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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Improvements Needed in How Cincinnati Administers its Neighborhood Stabilization Program

2009-07-29T18:25:00Z

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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Significant Flaws Identified at the Lackawanna, New York Municipal Housing Authority May Impact Administration of Recovery Act Public Housing Funds

2009-07-24T15:11:00Z

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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U.S. Department of Labor announces $2 million grant to provide nearly 1,800 North Carolina workers with health insurance payments

2009-08-13T14:56:00Z

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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Registration for Recovery Recipients Begins Monday, Aug. 17, 2009

2009-08-13T22:14:00Z

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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HHS Announces $13.4 Million in Financial Assistance to Support Nurses

2009-08-12T15:19:00Z

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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U.S. Labor Department announces release of $20.4 million in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to Hawaii

2009-08-11T15:18:00Z

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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General Services Administration Faces Challenges in Implementing the Recovery Act

2009-08-06T20:32:00Z

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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Social Security Administration's Funding for Electronic Medical Records System Reviewed

2009-07-31T20:24:00Z

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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HUD Announces $2.25 Billion in Recovery Act Funds Now at Work to Jumpstart Affordable Housing Construction

2009-07-28T14:07:00Z

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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U.S. Department of Labor announces grant of nearly $522,000 to assist workers affected by layoffs in Iowa

2009-08-10T14:46:00Z

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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Report Points to a Need for Oversight of Grants by State and Local Education Agencies

2009-07-21T19:25:00Z

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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Social Security to Fund $24 Million in Contracts for Electronic Medical Records

2009-08-07T14:52:00Z

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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Stronger Oversight Needed For Direct Farm Operating Loans

2009-06-30T14:52:00Z

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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American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Creates More Than 2,200 Census Bureau Jobs

2009-07-31T14:47:00Z

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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Grants.gov Offers New Feature to Help Users Find and Apply for Recovery Related Grants

2009-08-05T20:38:00Z

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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Recovery Act to Fund 12 State Efforts to Improve Care in Ambulatory Surgical Centers

2009-07-30T21:37:00Z

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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