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The Recovery Act: Success Stories in the States

September 7, 2010

Press Contact:

Barry Piatt (224-0577)


DPC Contact:

Erika Moritsugu (224-3232)


Indiana

Untitled Document

The Birch Bayh Federal Building Is Receiving Federal Recovery Act Stimulus Dollars To Provide A Major Renovation.  “The Birch Bayh Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is currently undergoing renovations that will breathe new life into the 105-year-old structure.  The $69.3 million project, which is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, began in January.  Work is scheduled to be finished by August of 2012. The project is utilizing the services and materials from 19 central Indiana businesses and 90 workers are currently on the project.  Work is being done only at night, so the building can continue to function normally during the day. Project manager Matthew Chalifoux marveled about the building history and beauty said his goal is to ensure the building gets the needed improvements ‘without sacrificing the wonderful work that has been done to date.’  Chalifoux is preservation architect with the Washington D.C.-based Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture and Engineering. Renovations include an expanded sprinkler system, rainwater harvesting tanks, new digital controls for the building’s operating systems and a green roof that will include a 30,000 square-foot top layer of vegetation.” [The Indy Star, 6/27/10]

 

 Allison Automotive Indicated That With The A Recent Recovery Act Stimulus-Funded Grant From The Department Of Energy It Will Be Able To Produce Hybrid Systems For Trucks And Hire More Than 100 New Employees.  “As a result of a collaboration with the Department of Energy supplier Allison announced the dedication of a plant in Indianapolis for the production of a new hybrid propulsion system for trucks.  Once the plant will become operational, the company will employ some 100 people and will spit out 20,000 commercial-duty hybrid propulsion.  The Department of Energy awarded last year, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a $62.8 million grant to Allison for the production of the system.  Using that money, the supplier hopes it will be able to provide commercial trucks hybrid systems in 2013.  ‘Allison Transmission and the Department of Energy have worked together for many years in programs which have pushed transportation technology and resulted in the production of real products which benefit us all,’ Allison CEO Lawrence E. Dewey said at the dedication ceremony.  The hybrid propulsion system developed by Allison is used to capture kinetic energy on deceleration of the vehicle and use it afterwards to accelerate the vehicle.  Working just like any other KERS system, Allison's technology is said to be able to provide fuel efficiency improvement of around 20-30 percent.  ‘Over $130 million is being invested in the renovation of this facility and the development of our new commercial hybrid truck product.  We will deliver a new generation of hybrid propulsion solutions to the transportation industry,’ Dewey says.  Allison's work in this field is currently to be seen in some 3,000 buses which use similar, but older systems than the one described above. According to the company's data, 116,000 metric tons of CO2 have been prevented from reaching the atmosphere and 11.7 million gallons of diesel have been saved by the 3,000 buses since 2003.” [Auto Evolution, 6/29/10]

 

Recovery Act Funds Advanced Electric Delivery Trucks That Have The Potential To Replace Heavy Polluting Vehicles.  “Illinois-based Navistar International Corp. has deployed an all-electric delivery truck that was developed with the help of a $39 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Navistar intends to build 400 of the all-electric trucks at its facility in Elkhart, IN during its first year of production, and the company expects to produce several thousand vehicles per year in the next few years.” [Design News, 6/22/10]  

 

Remy Electric Motors Receives Recovery Act Stimulus Grant To Increase Production Capabilities; Leading To The Creation Of More Than 1,000 New Jobs.  “… Remy, the largest independent North American manufacturer of advanced electric motors for hybrid and electric vehicles, was nominated for the grant in August, 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and received conditional approval in December 2009.   In a speech given in Elkhart, Indiana last year, President Obama announced Remy as one of the recipients of ARRA funds.   He called the ARRA a historical investment committed to a strategy that ensures America leads in the design and the deployment of the next generation of clean-energy vehicles.   He recognized Remy and a handful of other leading Indiana businesses as keys to developing next generation electric-drive components for commercial and passenger vehicles. Remy President and CEO John Weber said, ‘These funds will help Remy establish a strong domestic manufacturing base for electric drive motor technology and accelerate the use of electric drive vehicles with higher fuel efficiency.’   Weber explained, ‘This grant will allow for critical capital and human resource investment to create or protect 1,000 highly skilled jobs in the United States for Remy, its partners and its supply base.’  …” [PR Newswire, 5/24/10]  

 

Recovery Act-funded company Navistar proudly unveiled its new electric truck, which will soon be mass produced;   “At one of the plants where workers learned about two years ago that they would be laid off at Monaco Coach, Navistar unveiled its new electric truck Thursday.  And that truck could soon be delivering a FedEx package to your door.  The eStar runs solely on electric power and can go 100 miles on one charge.  The plant is expected to produce 400 vehicles this year and several thousand per year in coming years.  Shane Terblanche, general manager and vice president of Navistar-Modec EV Alliance, beamed as he saluted his team… ‘Many of you would recall an event we had back in August of last year where President Obama announced the $39.2 million grant.  We have acted upon that with absolute diligence.   ‘Here we are today to launch our brand.  We are going to talk about creating jobs.  We are going to talk about transportation electrification.  We are going to talk about partnerships.’  The government grant required a matching one by Navistar, which purchased Monaco out of bankruptcy.  The vehicles, which cost about $150,000 each, have no emissions, near zero noise pollution, a 36-foot turning radius and a payload of up to two tons.  Terblanche said 700 employees would be added nationwide to the Navistar chain, including those working at suppliers to the truck.” [South Bend Tribune, 5/14/09] 

 

Marion county road workers were employed by Recovery Act street project, 406 people have been put to work on Recovery Act Bridge Projects.  “From weatherization to transportation, taxpayers are giving Indiana almost $4 billion in stimulus cash.   The bridge work at US 31 on the south side and a new bridge in Broad Ripple add up to about $477 million in roads alone with 406 jobs… Some of the same local crews are on a city street stimulus project…  ‘With this particular group out here working I saw about four employees.  Oh yeah, Marion residents,’ said Marion Councilman Reggie Nevels.  They will feel the stimulus in Fountain Square come winter.  Some houses there are getting weatherization help with the first $65 million in grants coming through the Indiana Housing Agency to local groups.  ‘We will need to bring on 2,000 contractors statewide just to meet the demand,’ said Paul Krievins with Indiana Housing Authority.   Krievins says the stimulus ‘caused a lot of contractors to begin to hire.’  ‘With the stimulus money that's come I was able to hire another guy.  I just hired a third guy today,’ said contractor Dorian Ursery.  Those jobs run though 2012.  As for now, ‘I'm hoping to expand to put another truck out on the road,’ Ursery said.  One new hire, Charles Holland, said, ‘I've been up and down struggling here and there with bills. Now I got steady work coming in.’  For homeowner Jenny Lawson: ‘Just hoping it will cut down on our [energy] bills.  Amazing.  I didn't realize we could get this kind of help.’”  [WTHR Eyewitness News, 5/13/10]

 

The Recovery Act will fund the restoration of two culverts and the repaving of a major portion of Paoli Pike.  “Floyd County drivers will soon see first-hand the benefits of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act —otherwise known as the stimulus bill.  Beginning this month, a major section of Paoli Pike — from the Altawood subdivision to U.S. 150, will be paved and two culverts rebuilt.  Phase I of the project, which includes the paving and the construction of the culverts, has a price tag of $260,000 and will be completed by Gohmann Asphalt.  Work will begin May 17, and sections of Paoli Pike will be closed for a brief period.  Drivers will be diverted to detours.  County Planner Don Lopp will meet with business owners Monday morning to discuss the project and the affects it will have on commuters.  That will not be the end of the road improvements.  Beginning in June, new guardrails will be put up along Paoli Pike and the hill section of the road will be paved.  Phase III will rebuild the intersection at Buffalo Trail which is at the top of Paoli Pike.  All the paving should be completed in July.”  [News And Tribune, 5/7/10]

  

$1.17 million Recovery Act dollars will help Milton construct a new wastewater collection system to help keep residents’ water bills low.  “The town of Milton has received permission to begin construction on a $5 million wastewater collection system.  The town will receive $1,170,250 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, along with a $616,385 loan and $3,735,000 grant from the State Revolving Loan Fund for a total project cost of $5,521,635.  Donna Powell, President of the Milton Town Council says the town is very fortunate to receive this funding, which will keep monthly sewer bills for residents to around $65, the lowest possible to install the badly needed wastewater system… As with many small towns in Indiana, Milton faces failed and failing individual septic systems on lot sizes that are too small to be corrected according to today’s ordinances.  In instances where new septic systems could be installed residents are looking at costs upward of $10,000.  The installation of the wastewater system will allow home owners to correct their failing septic tank issues, improve property values and allow new home construction to occur as well as possible business development.  Construction on the project could begin in May.”  [Inside Indiana Business, 5/4/10]

 

Community and Family Resource Center expanded its Early Head Start facilities to add 24 children thanks Recovery Act funding.  “The Community and Family Resource Center will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for the Family Support Center and three new Early Head Start classrooms at the South Side Community Center, 330 Fountain St… The Early Head Start program will expand to add 24 slots for children ages 6 weeks to 3 years old.  The multiage classrooms are staffed by licensed personnel.  Early Head Start is for children of parents who are working or are in school full time, or a combination of both.  The expansion of the agency's Early Head Start program was made possible after CFRC received funding through an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act award.  The grant also awarded funding for the furnishings and the first year of operational costs.”  [Journal & Courier, 4/27/10]

 

Recovery Act will fund energy efficient upgrades in Indianapolis like supplying efficient light bulbs, installing HVAC units in schools.  “On the eve of Earth Day, Indianapolis officials learned the city was one of 25 across the country awarded federal stimulus money to help make one of its neighborhoods more energy-efficient.  The city will receive nearly $10 million through the U.S. Department of Energy's Retrofit Ramp-Up initiative, which encourages retrofitting everything from light bulbs to heating and air conditioning units in homes, businesses and schools… The city will work with the John H. Boner Community Center, a social services organization on the Near Eastside, and other neighborhood organizations to educate residents and businesses on how to qualify for the energy grant funding.  Upgrades could include energy-efficient light bulbs, modern heating and air conditioning units, proper insulation and new windows.  Water conservation, such as using efficient faucets, also could play a role… Homeowners, business owners and school officials will be invited to apply for small grants or loans to help them make energy-efficient improvements such as replacing windows or adding high-efficiency furnaces or new insulation, Taylor said.  Grant money also will help Near-Eastside residents pay for an energy audit, he said.”  [Indianapolis Star, 4/22/10]

 

$14.9 million from the Recovery Act helps Perdue University expand its Bioscience Center to accommodate the Purdue Center for Cancer Research.  “Purdue University has landed a $14.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to expand the Bindley Bioscience Center and its cancer and life sciences research programs, Purdue said today.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding from the National Center for Research Resources will be used for a 29,000 square-foot expansion to establish the Multidisciplinary Cancer Research Facility, which will create 30 to 40 new staff jobs.  ‘The expansion will complement the capabilities of Bindley and the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research in biophysical and biomolecular analyses, conventional cell imaging and separation, and high-throughput screening technologies,’ Timothy Ratliff, director of Purdue's Center for Cancer Research, said in a statement.  ‘Laboratories are planned for cancer cell biology, therapeutic and medical device development, cell-based screening, medicinal chemistry, and next-generation imaging’.”  [GenomeWeb Daily News, 4/13/10]

 

Recovery Act funded the cleanup of a lead-contaminated lot, making it safe for the construction of a permanent housing facility for homeless veterans.  “A vacant lot at the corner of West Michigan and Garfield streets will become the site for a $2.8 million housing project to serve homeless veterans.  ECHO Housing's homeless veterans’ (sic) facility will provide permanent supportive housing for 27 veterans, said Executive Director Stephanie Tenbarge. ... But before the housing project can become a reality, part of the lot will be cleaned of lead-contaminated soil as part of the Jacobsville Superfund site cleanup.  City and state officials, including Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel, joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in a ceremony Tuesday to turn the first shovel of dirt for both the cleanup and the housing project.  Officials put the combined projects in context of the economic recovery effort of President Barack Obama's administration and efforts to improve the Jacobsville neighborhood in the heart of Evansville's near North Side.  The cleanup is being paid for with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.  The money is part of a larger $600 million pot of the federal economic stimulus funding set aside to jump-start work on 52 Superfund sites across the country... He said the cleanup will create 20 temporary local jobs, as well as spin off employment related to landscaping and other areas.”  [Evansville Courier & Press, 4/7/10]

  

Union City received Recovery Act funding from the Neighborhood Stabilization Project to buy and renovate foreclosed properties for resale.  “Union City residents will be hearing a lot about the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) in their community.  By fall, $1,998,000 million must be allocated for the purchase of blighted or foreclosed properties and their renovation or demolition ... Indiana was allotted $83,757,048, of which $50 million went to the NSP competitive grant program. ... But only 21 applications were funded, and Union City was one of those 21. ... Mayor Bryan Conklin said, ‘This is an opportunity for our community to transform itself.  It's a step towards enhancing the qualify of life.  We are preparing for the economic upswing.’  The UCI  NSP is part of a comprehensive approach to revitalizing the State Line town.  In addition to buying up foreclosed or blighted properties for renovation or demolition, one of the program's goals is to use local contractors, suppliers and workers.  The overall goal is to boost the local economy, revitalize the real estate market and create interest in the newly-revitalized Union City core.  Combined with a separate $580,000 grant to renovate owner-occupied homes all over the city, the NSP will have a visible effect on the town's appearance.  Dozens of homes will be renovated, and many blighted properties will be demolished.”  [Winchester News-Gazette, 4/1/10]

  

Indiana will receive $61.3 million in Recovery Act funding as part of a program to turn around chronically underperforming schools.  “Federal education officials said Friday that Indiana will receive $61.3million in federal stimulus funding to help improve persistently low-achieving schools, including five elementary schools in Clark and Floyd counties.  School systems will have to compete for the money under the U.S. Department of Education's School Improvements Grants program.  The funds are part of $3.5billion that will be made available to states this spring from money set aside in the 2009 budget and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal agency said.  ‘When a school continues to perform in the bottom 5 percent of the state and isn't showing signs of growth or has graduation rates below 60 percent, something dramatic needs to be done,’ Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a statement.  ‘Turning around our worst performing schools is difficult for everyone, but it is critical that we show the courage to do the right thing by kids.’  To apply for the funds, a school district must have a state-identified ‘persistently lowest achieving’ or Tier III school — a school that has failed to meet annual yearly progress for two years and is not identified as a persistently lowest achieving school.”  [Courier-Journal, 3/27/10]

 

Construction on three major Recovery Act transportation projects in Avon has begun, or will begin shortly.  “Three major road projects funded by stimulus money have begun – or soon will.  A project to resurface Dan Jones Road from Northfield Drive to County Road 300 South will cause intermittent delays for drivers over the next few months.  The project will consist of patching, widening of existing lanes, milling and resurfacing of Dan Jones Road.  The $1 million project -- funded through a grant received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act -- should be completed by the end of May.  Funds totaling $240,000 from that grant also will pay for the resurfacing of County Road 100 North from Richfield Lane to Kinross Drive.  The project is expected to begin in May.  Finally, within the next two weeks, the town will activate the newly installed traffic signals at the Ronald Reagan Parkway-County Road 200 North intersection.  The $175,000 project will significantly enhance safety at that intersection, officials say.” [Avon Star, 3/19/10]

 

Indiana’s Office of Energy Development is distributing Recovery Act grants to small businesses to promote cleaner, more energy efficient technologies.  “State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) said the Indiana Office of Energy Development is offering new grants to help Hoosier businesses upgrade to cleaner, cheaper and more reliable energy technologies.  ‘Beginning this month, businesses with less than 150 employees can apply for a grant to receive a portion of $4.5 million dollars currently available with the new Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program,’ Leising said.  As part of the energy efficiency initiative under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus package, the grant will also be available for nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions and health care facilities.  Additionally, proposed projects must be located in Indiana...’ Small businesses and other organizations in Indiana could benefit from these grants in many ways,’ Leising said.  ‘Not only will this enable them to map out long-term plans for better energy efficiency, the grant program could create new jobs in clean energy.’” [Kokomo Perspective, 3/17/10]

 

$10.3 million in Recovery Act funds will help a health IT Company link medical records to Indiana’s five medical exchanges.  “A statewide organization will use $10.3 million in federal stimulus funds to electronically link medical the medical records of Indiana's five health information exchanges.  Indiana Health Information Technology Inc. will coordinate records maintained by the Indiana Health Information Exchange, HealthBridge, HealthLINC, Medweb and Michiana Health Information Network.  The five health information exchanges now operate independently from one another.  David Johnson, president and CEO of BioCrossroads, a private group that promotes Indiana's life sciences industry, says the goal of IHIT is to change that.  The grant announced Monday is included in $162 million in Recovery Act grants designed to improve electronic medical records systems in 16 states.  Plans call for development of a nationwide health information technology system.” [Wave 3, 3/16/10]

 

Anderson will receive $1.5 million in Recovery Act funds to improve its transportation system.  “The city will receive more than $1.5 million for its transit system, thanks to a round of federal stimulus grants announced by Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Friday.  The award will allow the City of Anderson Transit System to replace one 30-foot diesel bus, two gas vans and three support vehicles and will provide operating assistance to CATS.” [The Herald Bulletin, 3/9/10]

 

Terre Haute’s Tribune-Star highlights improvements made to the Terre Haute airport and local roads, projects funded by the Recovery Act. “Federal stimulus funds literally helped pave new improvements in Terre Haute and Vigo County, from road projects to a now top-rated runway at Terre Haute International Airport-Hulman Field.  Runway 5-23 is the longest of three runways at the airport.  With a designated landing area of 9,020 feet, and 150 feet wide, it serves as the primary landing runway capable of accommodating nearly any aircraft.  It is also the only instrument landing system runway at the airport... Rehabilitation of the airport had been part of a five-year plan.  Prior to stimulus funds, it was a project that would have taken as long as three years... The $11 million project was able to move forward once the airport was awarded more than $2.72 million in stimulus funds.... The project, from March to December 2009, resulted in 14 jobs at the airport, according to the U.S. government’s official Web site, www.recovery.gov, on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009... Terre Haute and Vigo County received more than $4.51 million for road improvement projects, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.” [The Tribune-Star, 3/7/10]

 

Indiana Head Start program received Recovery Act funding to expand its staff and provide greater access to early childhood programs.  “CANI received more than $1.1 million in federal stimulus money to offer Early Head Start services to more people in northeast Indiana and to expand its staff.  The money comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and was part of President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. CANI (Community Action of Northeast Indiana) is a non-profit agency that helps communities, families and individuals in poverty.  Early Head Start is an education program aimed at infants through 3-year-olds and pregnant women. It was founded in 1995.  The new money will allow for 72 slots and pay for a manager, six home visitors and two administrative staff. Families in Allen and Noble counties will begin being served June 1.” [Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 2/3/10]

 

Despite budget shortfalls, teachers kept their jobs thanks to Recovery Act funds.  “Though the overall federal stimulus picture may be murky, the latest statistical snapshot made one thing clear: It's the reason many Indiana teachers remain in the classroom.  As schools cope with state budget cuts announced late last year, superintendents and fiscal officers are quick to point out that without the extra help, the blow would be especially fierce.  ‘I feel pretty confident every corporation in the state would be looking at laying off more teachers were it not for the stimulus,’ said Brad Schneider, superintendent of Warrick County schools.  The latest quarterly report on how Indiana is spending its share of the $787 billion American Relief and Recovery Act included few surprises.  But it served to underscore the extra money's importance in the field of K-12 education, where the state recently announced a 3.5 percent cut in state funding this year. It showed that in Indiana, the teachers whose jobs still exist in the face of funding cuts are quickly becoming the signature achievement of the stimulus package.” [Evansville Courier and Press, 2/2/10]

 

Tri-County Head Start and Parents As Teachers programs received Recovery Act grants to aid early childhood development.  “Programs that aim to support families in Berrien County will get a boost during the next two years because of federal stimulus dollars.  Two agencies – Berrien Regional Education Service Agency's Parents As Teachers early childhood program and Tri-County Head Start – will receive an $831,371 Early Head Start grant... Funding for the grant comes through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The grant will allow the organizations to continue to work together to supplement their educational and support services.  Parents As Teachers staff members with the Early Head Start program will be increased along with the number of personalized home visits available to families.  At the Even Start Center in Benton Harbor, the grant will provide materials, playground equipment, and facility upgrades.  Tri-County Head Start Director Ramona Borowicz says she is very excited to have received an Early Head Start grant to serve pregnant women and children newborn to 3 years old in Berrien County.” [South Bend Tribune, 2/1/10]

 

The Recovery Act created or saved 15,300 jobs in Indiana in the final three months of 2009.  “The federal government says its stimulus program paid for nearly 15,300 Indiana jobs during the final three months of 2009.  In all last year, the state, Hoosier communities and companies were awarded $4.1 billion in grants, loans and contracts from the massive jobs program pushed by President Barack Obama and approved by Congress nearly a year ago...The largest portion of Indiana's awards — more than $1 billion — went to the state Department of Transportation. In 2009, the stimulus funded more than 850 highway projects — the most of any state — with plans to have more than 1,000 projects completed or under way by next spring, state officials said.” [Courier-Journal, 2/1/10]

 

Ninety school buses in Fort Wayne go green thanks to a grant funded by the Recovery Act.  “Fort Wayne Community Schools' buses are emitting fewer pollutants after a $99,000 grant from the American Lung Association paid for the installation of diesel oxidation catalysts on 90 buses.  The money originated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and was disbursed through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to entities, such as the American Lung Association.  This follows a $50,000 grant given to FWCS by the EPA in 2006 that put similar catalysts on 30 buses.  The latest grant brings all 250 buses that transport students daily up to the higher emission standards.  Each day, FWCS transports more than 21,000 to and from school.  The objective of the grant from the American Lung Association was to prevent the emission of nitrogen oxides, fine particles (soot) and toxins that are emitted in diesel exhaust.  Nitrogen oxides are precursors of ozone, and, when breathed, can lodge deep in the lungs.  While school buses are the safest way for children to get to school, FWCS wants to make sure pollution from diesel vehicles is reduced to prevent health complications for everyone, especially children.” [Fort Wayne Daily News, 1/29/10]

 

Recovery Act funds will relieve congestion and rehabilitate tracks, create 703 jobs per year.  “Northwest Indiana will receive nearly $71.4 million in stimulus funding to relieve congestion on a railroad stretch between Porter and the Indiana/Illinois state line.  The two-year project will create 703 jobs per year, according to a grant proposal the state submitted to the federal government in August.  The proposal calls the stretch on Norfolk Southern Railway's Chicago line ‘the single most delay-prone intercity rail passenger corridor in the country’... The project is part of President Barack Obama's nationwide $8 billion Recovery Act plan for rail projects, which will provide reliable 110-mph service throughout the Midwest with shorter travel times, more frequent service and greater reliability.  The Northwest Indiana plan covers eight projects at seven locations, including Gary, Burns Harbor, Porter and Whiting.  The project will reduce train delays by 11.6 minutes per 100 train miles, according to one study.” [Post-Tribune of Northwest Indiana, 1/29/10]

 

Indianapolis awarded Recovery Act grant money to repair streets and bridges, projects that will create over 500 jobs.  “Indianapolis has been awarded $22.9 million in federal stimulus money to aid in the repair of streets and bridges, Mayor Greg Ballard and Rep. Andre Carson said Tuesday.  The funding comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a massive spending bill that Congress passed in 2009.  About 550 people are expected to be employed to complete the road work.  ‘This funding will help tremendously as we work to correct our failing infrastructure in areas that need it most and put hardworking Hoosiers to work,’ Ballard said.  Five bridge projects are expected to be part of improvements to be made.  ‘This $22 million infusion is not only creating 500-plus jobs, it's making a substantial investment in areas of our city that need it most,’ Carson said.” [WRTV, 1/26/10]

 

Indiana received federal grant money to set up a green jobs retraining program for up to 2,200 workers.  “Indiana state officials will use a $6 million federal grant to set up a retraining program for up to 2,200 idled industrial workers and others for new jobs in green industries.  The U.S. Department of Labor announced Wednesday that it had awarded the grant to Indiana's Department of Workforce Development.  The state agency will use the money later this year to create the program, provide tuition payments and form a new initiative to be called the Indiana Advanced Energy Training Center, said Marc Lotter, spokesman for the department.  Indiana, the No. 2 state for auto parts output, sought the money as part of its effort to bring up a new green-car industry to help replace jobs lost by the hard-hit automakers based in Detroit.  Industrial jobs are the best-paying sector in Indiana, averaging more than $75,000 per year including benefits. But the manufacturing work force had dwindled to 442,200 by November, a decline of 230,300 jobs from the peak of 672,500 in December 1999, according to federal labor data...Part of the $6 million will go for tuition assistance, although Lotter said the program is also supposed to steer workers hired by so-called green plants into deeper on-the-job training paid for by the state.” [TCM News, 1/21/10]

 

Roads in Gary will receive Recovery Act funds to mend potholes.  “Three more major roads will get the stimulus treatment and lose their potholes.  The Board of Works and Safety at its Wednesday morning meeting approved Central Avenue, 35th Avenue between Chase and Grant streets, and Old Hobart Road in its Miller section to go out for bid on repairs.  The repairs are part of the $2.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money the city received in stimulus funds for roadwork.” [Gary Post-Tribune, 1/14/10]

 

Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne will use Recovery Act funds to offset budget cuts.  “IPFW will use federal stimulus money to absorb the governor’s cuts to higher education, Chancellor Michael Wartell told the university’s Faculty Senate on Monday. It’s not yet clear how much money will be cut from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, but Walt Branson, vice chancellor for financial affairs, expects it to be comparable to the amount the university will receive over two years from the federal government as part of President Obama’s stimulus package. IPFW is slated to receive $2.7 million, Branson said. Gov. Mitch Daniels announced in December that he was slashing 6 percent, or $150 million, from higher education budgets to help make up for a shortfall in tax collections. Wartell said university officials did not include the stimulus money in IPFW’s operating budget because it was not recurring dollars. Officials were going to use the money for maintenance projects, Branson said. IPFW will lose no academic programs, Wartell said, and people’s lives ‘will not be catastrophically affected.’” [The Journal Gazette, 1/12/10]

 

Brevini Wind, a company building a wind turbine gearbox plant, will receive Recovery Act tax credits.  “The future operations of Brevini Wind's gearbox plant in western Delaware County just got a big boost: nearly $13 million in federal tax credits.  Brevini Wind -- whose wind turbine gearbox plant is under construction in the Park One/332 business park along Interstate 69 -- is earmarked to receive $12.8 million in Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits through the federal government stimulus program, Sen. Evan Bayh's office has announced.  Greg Winkler, director of project development for Brevini Wind, confirmed the funding on Monday, saying he received word of it on Friday... But the money for Brevini – one of four Indiana companies to receive tax credits as announced by Bayh – will allow the clean energy manufacturer to re-invest in the company, which is expected to begin production in 2011 after a lengthy period of hiring, training and testing this year... Brevini is expected to employ 450 people at its gearbox plant when the facility is fully staffed.  A sister company, Brevini USA, already operates at Park One and employs a couple dozen people after moving its North American headquarters there last year.” [The Star Press, 1/12/10]

 

Recovery Act funds were awarded to nine projects aimed at improving the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks; will create an estimated 500 jobs.  “The Obama administration plans on Monday to announce the selection of nine projects totaling $187 million aimed at improving the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks.  The funding includes more than $100 million from the $787 billion economic stimulus plan President Barack Obama pushed through Congress last February.  An additional 50 percent will come from the private sector, according to the announcement to be made by U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu in Columbus, Indiana... The administration estimated the projects would create 500 jobs in areas like research and engineering near term, with the potential for creating 6,000 positions in manufacturing and assembly by 2015.  Three projects will focus on efforts to improve the fuel efficiency of long-haul freight trucks by 50 percent.  The freight-truck awards include: * $38.8 million for Cummins Inc (CMI.N) in Columbus, Indiana.  This project is aimed at developing a clean, efficient diesel engine, an advanced waste heat recovery system, an aerodynamic Peterbilt tractor-trailer combination and a fuel cell auxiliary power unit to reduce engine idling... * $37.3 million for Navistar Inc.  This Fort Wayne, Indiana project will seek to develop technologies to improve truck and trailer aerodynamics, combustion efficiency, waste heat recovery, hybridization, idle reduction and reduced rolling resistance tires.” [Reuters, 1/11/10]

 

Four Indiana businesses will receive more than $35 million in Recovery Act funding to help them establish and upgrade their manufacturing operations.  “Senator Evan Bayh today announced that four Indiana businesses will receive more than $35 million in federal funding to help them establish and upgrade their manufacturing operations in Indiana. The funding was awarded through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits program.  “This funding will put Hoosiers to work and strengthen Indiana’s position as one of the nation’s hubs for the next generation of manufacturing jobs,” Bayh said. ‘As we work toward economy recovery, this investment in Indiana will help energize our new economy and keep our state at the forefront of developing clean technologies that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and safeguard our natural environment.’ The Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits program is administered jointly by the Department of Treasury and the Department of Energy. The program helps businesses leverage private capital by providing up to 30 percent of the money needed for high-tech manufacturing projects.” [Inside Indiana Business, 1/11/10]

 

Though slow to start, Indiana’s Recovery Act-funded weatherization program has saved residents up to 50 percent in energy costs.  “The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority says so far 1,577 homes statewide are either ‘in process’ or have been completed... To get the work done, the authority distributed stimulus grants totaling $55 million to weatherization programs run by 30 local agencies and organizations across Indiana.  Households with incomes under 150 percent of the federal poverty level can qualify for the stimulus-funded weatherization, which can include insulation, sealing and even furnace replacement... So far, in the first three months of its stimulus-funded weatherizations, the Northwest Indiana Community Action Corp. has completed work on 81 homes and 110 more are ready to be worked on.  Those homes represent 34.4 percent of the 555 homes the agency plans to complete by May using $3.4 million in stimulus funds... Giselle Jackson, 50, of East Chicago, is one of the people who already had her home weatherized under the Northwest Indiana Community Action program.  Contractors installed a new furnace, caulked all windows and doors and insulated the home.  She counts on saving about 50 percent on winter energy bills, which can run $500 to $600 per month.  She and the elderly parents she cares for can already feel the difference... For contractors, the stimulus money is helping them through one of the roughest patches in decades for small businesses...’ Everyone knows the Obama administration has a commitment to lessening our nation's energy dependence, but I don't think anyone foresaw funding moving to this level,’ Krievens said.” [Northwest Indiana Times, 12/7/09]

 

Significant job gains show the impact the Recovery Act has had on economy in Indiana.  “States have reported using stimulus money to create or save more than 388,000 jobs so far this year, buttressing the Obama administration's claim that the $787 billion plan has had a significant impact on the economy.  The administration plans Friday to release reports from all 50 states, providing the broadest accounting yet of the stimulus plan's impact. The states' reports suggest the biggest impact has been at schools.  Twenty-three states that have reported school job numbers said more than 156,000 jobs had been created or saved. Indiana officials reported that the stimulus had created or saved about 13,000 school jobs.” [USA Today, 10/27/09]

 

Recovery Act-funded “Facebook for Scientists” network will allow researchers to access information from institutional repositories, view published articles from academic publishers and information provided by fellow researchers. “Seven universities have $12.2 million in economic stimulus law funds to create a ‘Facebook for scientists’ network for researchers.  The project is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health to create a system that contains publicly-available information that can be searched for specific data and linkages.  At Indiana University, one of the schools involved, the Cyberinfrastructure for Network Science Center will conduct research and development on data analysis and visualization, ontology development and Vivo, a networking template, according to a news release today  The new system will federate information about faculty and staff from institutional repositories, listings of published articles from academic publishers, and information provided by researchers.  Using Vivo, users can search the information and assemble it on a unique page.  The other six schools are Cornell University, University of Florida, Weill Cornell Medical College, Washington University in St. Louis, the Scripps Research Institute and the Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico.  ” [Federal Computer Week, 10/26/09]

 

$71.7 million in  Recovery Act funded guaranteed loans will help rural businesses and strengthen rural communities throughout America.  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $71.7 million in loan guarantees to assist 20 rural businesses in funding made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The funding announced today is being made available through USDA Rural Development's Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program.    ‘The Recovery Act funds announced today will help businesses get access to the capital they need to launch and expand their businesses and help bring additional jobs to America's small cities and towns,’ Vilsack said...   For example, in Georgetown, S.C., USDA Rural Development is guaranteeing a $3 million loan to enable a local gate and mounting-system company to restructure debt and purchase new machinery and equipment.  In Franklin County, Ohio, a farmer owned cooperative with local headquarters was selected to receive a $7.5 million loan guarantee.  The loan will help provide business services to more than 50,000 livestock farmers in Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri.  The Business and Industry loan will help the cooperative continue to maintain health insurance to its nearly 500 employees, many of whom live in counties with unemployment rates 125 percent greater than the national average and counties that have been affected recently by natural disasters.” [USDA.gov, 10/21/09] 

 

Recovery Act funds will create transitional job programs to interrupt the crime cycle in Indiana. “A portion of stimulus money earmarked for public safety will be used to create job programs for ex-offenders in Marion County.  So far, the county has received $8.4 million in federal money for public safety, most being spent on traditional programs like a $1.4 million automated fingerprint system, 6News' Derrik Thomas reported.  But leaders are looking for input on how to use $950,000 to boost transitional jobs for former inmates to interrupt the crime cycle... Companies like Workforce Inc., which employees 50 ex-offenders, are hopeful they'll also get stimulus money to keep their programs running.  The recycling operation processes three million pounds of recycled computer parts and other items every year.  President Gregg Keesling said his employees are truly being productive members of society. ‘They have paid $16,000 in county-option income taxes.  These are individuals who were not working prior,’ he said.  ‘They were costing the taxpayer $25,000 a year to incarcerate them and they were costing double that in court time, police time and jail time.’” [Indy6 News, 10/7/09]

 

Recovery Act grants will fully fund road repair projects for Milestone contractors, creating jobs on 11 separate projects.“Eleven road construction projects are scheduled for Richmond and Wayne County this fall as a result of recent contract awards, the Indiana Department of Transportation announced this week. All roadbeds will be milled and resurfaced with 100 percent federal funding provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Milestone Contractors submitted low bids for the following stimulus projects: Contracts of $62,886 and $65,225 to mill and resurface Pottershop Road from Pennville Road .27 miles to Abington, and from Abington for .16 miles to U.S. 27... $147,292 contract to patch, wedge, level, mill and resurface .65 miles of Salisbury Road including the intersection with Nolands Fork Road.” [Palladium-Item, 9/30/09]

 

With Recovery Act funding, Indiana’s Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing program will help local people in the fight against homelessness and provide job training.  “The city will ramp up its fight against homelessness as federal stimulus dollars become available this week.  East Central Indiana families that are homeless or near-homeless will receive more than $1 million in federal assistance as a result of the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing program.  Bridges Community Services, a Muncie-based non-profit, will distribute the funds, with $590,000 set aside for Muncie and Delaware County residents.  Families living in Blackford, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison and Randolph counties will receive $789,000 collectively...  The HRPP dollars will be split along two tracks, a short term one, used to pay for housing deposits and first month's rents, as well as a long term-track, which allows for assistance for close to 18 months.  Able-bodied family members will also be required to attend job training programs in hopes of acquiring skills to become gainfully employed.” [The Star Press, 9/30/09]

 

$14 million in Recovery Act funding will help Indiana local communities, small businesses, and non-profits reduce their energy consumption while creating 200 jobs.  “Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that Indiana will receive $14,052,400 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support energy efficiency and conservation activities.    Indiana will use its Recovery Act EECBG funding to help the state’s local communities, small businesses, non-profits, and others reduce their energy consumption, leading to significant cost savings and environmental benefits.  Local cities and counties eligible for funding can use funding for traffic light upgrades and energy efficiency retrofits of local government buildings and facilities.  These projects will create and retain jobs locally, while improving energy efficiency in the public sector and lowering fossil fuel emissions.  In the long-term, these activities will also save cities and counties money by cutting energy costs, allowing them to direct funds to other projects that will help spur economic recovery.  Indiana’s Recovery Act-funded projects will lead to substantial energy and cost savings, and save or create nearly 200 jobs statewide.” [Inside Indiana Business, 9/24/09]

 

Recovery Act funds help hire nine Instructional Coaches to empower teachers as part of a strategy to improve student achievement. “  Those coaches are called Instructional Coaches, according to Denise Bessler, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.  Bessler said the district hired nine — two for the district as a whole and one for each school building — to work with principals, teachers and administrators to go through data and mold instruction to achieve better results with students.  The about $600,000-a-year price tag was paid for with a mix of money from economic stimulus, Title 1 and professional development, among other funds, Bessler said.  She said coaches — who all have at least five years of teaching experience and a master’s degree, and are employed as full-time staff — work to empower faculty members to see that they can make a difference.  Bessler said those coaches also will help implement new programs the district started in hopes of raising student achievement, such as Read 180, a reading-intervention program.... Bessler said the goal is for this program to continue beyond this year, even after the stimulus money is gone.  She said the district will work to maintain it on a smaller scale by using Title 1 money and seeking out grants.” [News and Tribune, 9/22/09]

 

Recovery Act-funded program will weatherize 545 homes for low-income residents, creating 40 jobs and lowering utility bills.About 545 homes in Northwest Indiana will be weatherized for free in the next eight months thanks to stimulus funding.  The Northwest Indiana Community Action Corp. has received more than $3.4 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009.  The money will be spent making houses of low-income residents more energy efficient... By the end of May, when the first round of the program ends, about 545 Northwest Indiana homes will have been weatherized at a value of up to $5,000 each.  Administrators said they expect the money will create 30 to 40 contractor jobs in the trades.” [Post-Tribune, 9/21/09]

 

Approximately 75 jobs have been created or saved as a result of $12 million in Recovery Act-funded grants for Indiana University medical researchers.  “Indiana University School of Medicine scientists have received more than $12 million in grants funded by the federal economic stimulus legislation, funding that has bolstered both research initiatives and research employment on the medical center campus.  More than 40 researchers have received American Recovery and Reinvestment Act awards ranging from a $1.4 million National Science Foundation grant supporting innovative research on proteins to smaller awards enabling investigators to hire lab assistants for summer jobs.  Approximately 75 research-related jobs have been created or saved on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus as a result of the grants to School of Medicine scientists. ...The grants are supporting a broad range of research initiatives seeking to better understand and find improved treatments for a broad range of diseases, including Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and others... ” [Eureka Alert, 9/16/09]

 

Recovery Act allocation will help low-income residents reduce energy consumption and create a new job position for the City of Fort Wayne .  “The City of Fort Wayne is putting together implementation plans for the City’s $2.474 million portion of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, which is part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.  Mayor Tom Henry said,  ‘This stimulus money is going to have the value of creating and retaining local jobs while also improving energy efficiency and ultimately saving money for Fort Wayne taxpayers, businesses and residents.’... The remaining money will go toward residential outreach and create a new position at the City to help Fort Wayne residents, especially those from low- to moderate-income households, reduce their energy consumption.  The City also plans to create a refrigerator and freezer rebate program to remove older appliances and replace them with more energy-efficient versions. ” [Fort Wayne Daily News, 9/14/09]

 

Three Indiana cities to fund install green roofs and solar power across city parks with Recovery Act funds.  “Bloomington, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis are set to receive a total of $11 million in federal stimulus funds to support energy efficiency and conservation projects.  The Department of Energy is awarding Indianapolis an $8 million grant to install green roofs and solar power across the city's parks buildings.  Both Fort Wayne and Bloomington will use their portion for energy efficiency retrofits of city buildings.” [Inside Indiana Business, 9/10/09]

 

Recovery Act grants will be awarded to 20 community groups in the Indianapolis area to help households struggling to pay their bills and to assist homeless families.  “More than half the calls to the local 211 help line for mortgage and rent assistance went unheeded last year.  A federal stimulus grant of nearly $6 million announced Wednesday should help ease that problem.  The money will be divided among 20 community groups and will help an estimated 2,044 households, including those ‘on the edge’ and in need of rental assistance, security and utility deposits, moving costs and hotel vouchers . Homeless families, meanwhile, will get assistance, including legal services and housing searches, to help them find shelter... Grant amounts range from $100,000 to Indiana Legal Services to $478,800 to HealthNet, a network of community health centers providing health care to the homeless and others in need.” [The Indianapolis Star, 9/3/09]  

 

A long-planned project to build a technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship center in Scottsburg will go forward thanks to Recovery Act funding.  “Construction on a long-planned Scottsburg small business incubator and conference hall could begin next spring thanks to a $4.3 million federal stimulus grant the city was awarded Monday. The Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center – called the TIE Center for short – is intended to give a boost to new products and ideas that could lead to manufacturing and jobs for the area.  It will make training, laboratory space and shared office staff available to fledgling small companies and provide advice about business plans, legal issues and marketing to entrepreneurs... The grant from the Economic Development Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, will pay for half and the city will pay for the rest.”  Commerce Secretary Locke:  “The Obama Administration is committed to creating jobs, encouraging innovation and improving our nation’s economic competitiveness.  This grant will help create new jobs and boost private investment by providing a business incubator and training facility that will promote technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.” [The Courier-Journal, 8/31/09]  

 

Indiana will use Recovery Act funds to construct low-income housing across the state.  “Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman plans to announce the first awards of $164 million in federal stimulus money to build low- and moderate-income housing across the state. Developments will be announced Monday for Greenfield, Indianapolis, Brownsburg, Richmond, Terre Haute, Portland, Fort Wayne and Kokomo.  The state has reviewed proposals from private developers who expect to break ground on new housing units.  Most projects will be apartments for working families, seniors or disabled residents.  Each year, the federal government allots states tax credits to give to developers of low-income housing.  Because of the tightened credit market, tax credits weren't sufficient incentives to builders, so the stimulus money allows states to trade their allotted tax credits for cash.” [Chicago Tribune, 8/31/09]  

 

Department of Transportation announced 70 grants to improve small shipyards throughout the United States.  The Department of Transportation announced 70 grants totaling $98 million in ARRA funds that will be used to improve small shipyards throughout the United States.  The funds, awarded through the Maritime Administration's Assistance to Small Shipyards program, will help create and preserve jobs, provide valuable employment training and make much needed improvements to shipyards across the country.  The Small Shipyards Grant program provides up to 75 percent in ARRA funds for a project and requires the remainder be matched by the shipyard.”  [MarketWire, 8/18/09]   

 

Upwards of 20 miles of road in Wayne County will be repaved after intake of Recovery Act dollars.  “Federal stimulus money will help pave more than 20 miles of roads in Wayne County during the next 11 months.  City and county officials just learned that Wayne County and Richmond have received $4.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money for 11 road projects -- four in Richmond and seven in Wayne County.  The money is a godsend at a time of shrinking revenues and needed projects, local officials said.  ‘This is a beautiful thing,’ said Wayne County Highway Supervisor Mike Sharp.  ‘Money for projects has been going down the last couple of years and because of that we've had to prioritize more.  ‘These are some of the most-traveled roadways and some that are in the poorest condition,’ he said.” [Richmond Palladium-Item, 8/10/09]

 

President’s announcement of Recovery Act -funded car battery initiative “brought economic hope” to Indiana and attests to effectiveness of Recovery Act“President Obama made another visit to Indiana on Wednesday, and with him he brought economic hope for an area desperately in need of it... Obama announced a $2.4 billion grant program to research and develop battery-powered vehicles.  He said Indiana will receive the second-largest share of the grant money.  The grant program serves the dual purpose of creating jobs and furthering development of technology that will decrease America’s dependence on foreign oil and protect the environment.  Navistar International Corp. will get $39 million of the development grant to produce battery-powered electric trucks that can go at least 100 miles before needing a charge.  Navistar bought portions of the Monaco Coach Corp. in June after Monaco’s bankruptcy. The new work at the Wakarusa plant means jobs for some of the many workers laid off by the hard-hit RV industry.  The grant also is likely to benefit Navistar workers at the Fort Wayne design and engineering center.” [Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Editorial, 8/7/09]

 

A Recovery Act-funded car-refurbishment project led to job creation and brought “new life” to an Amtrak Facility in Beech Grove.  “Federal stimulus funds are bringing new jobs and breathing new life into Amtrak's Beech Grove maintenance facility. The 108-acre facility east of Emerson Avenue – a place that many had written off – has been awarded $32.3 million as part of President Barack Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to refurbish 21 bilevel Superliner passenger cars and 15 diesel locomotives.  The program has led to an additional 108 employees being hired to augment the 600-strong facility.  The new work also has spurred hiring at local suppliers of rail-car components.  ‘It's the United States worker that can deliver in this country,’ Joseph H. Boardman, Amtrak's president and chief executive officer, said Thursday to more than 200 cheering workers – with a glistening passenger rail car serving as a backdrop...  One of those new employees, hired May 27, is Chaka Kpotufe, 42, who had worked for 13 years at General Motors and a short stint at AT&T before falling victim to the national recession. ‘Thank God,’ Kpotufe, an electrician, said of his new job after months of fruitless searches.” [Indianapolis Star, 8/7/09]

 

Elkhart Municipal Airport Recovery Act project created 250 jobs; now runway has capacity to handle larger aircraft.  “It's a project that created 250 jobs over the last couple of months but many celebrated its completion Thursday.  The Elkhart Municipal Airport dedicated its new runway.  A $3.9 million grant from the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act made it possible.  Contractors added 11 inches of concrete to an exiting runway that will last for 30 years.  The new runway will enable them to handle larger, heavier aircraft.  Airport officials say the current runway had been deteriorating much more quickly than anyone thought it would.  They call the improvements a godsend and say it will help bring in new business.   Andy Jones, the Elkhart Municipal Airport Manager said ‘It's another tool in our toolbox to try to attract business.  We did open the runway briefly yesterday and had a G-5 large aircraft land. Someone arrived, bought an RV and flew out after buying 1,000 gallons of fuel.’” [WSJV – FOX, 8/6/09]

 

Obama Announced Stimulus Grant for Navistar To Build 400 Battery-Powered Trucks, Creating Jobs in Elkhart, Indiana.  “Promising new jobs and money, President Barack Obama on Wednesday told a hurting Midwestern region that its recovery will be like America's: tough but certain. Obama's second visit as president to a northern Indiana area mired in unemployment reflected political reality. People appreciate hope and the presence of the president, but they want jobs. So Obama came bearing all of those in what amounted to a national economic pep talk. ‘Even in the hardest times, against the toughest odds, we have never surrendered,’ Obama told a crowd on the steamy factory floor of Monaco RV, whose previous owner went bankrupt. ‘We don't give up. We don't surrender our fates to chance. We have always endured.’ The loudest applause though, came when Obama announced that recreational vehicle company's new owner, Navistar International Corp., had won a $39 million grant to build 400 battery-electric trucks. That means work in an RV-heavy region crushed by the recession, where unemployment has jumped so high so fast that Obama called it ‘astonishing.’ Obama's broader audience was the American public, which has grown more skeptical of the $787 billion stimulus plan that he pushed through Congress just weeks into his term.” [Associated Press, 8/5/09]

 

Recovery Act grant will create 250 mostly local jobs for the rehabilitation of Elkhart Airport.  “A ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday at Elkhart Municipal Airport will mark the end of a major rehabilitation project.  The resurfacing of the airport's main runway was funded by a $3.9 million grant funded by the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore told FOX28.com that he estimates 250 jobs, mostly local, were created or kept to work on the project.” [WSJV – FOX, 8/6/09] 

 

Local company will use Recovery Act funds to develop technology for electric cars. “A company with a southwestside Muncie plant will receive $40 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds meant to boost the development of electric cars.  Magna E-Car Systems – part of Magna International, which opened its Magna Power Train plant on Cowan Road in Muncie in 2006 – will get $40 million, although the White House announcement specified the money was for Magna in Muncie and Holly, Mich.  The good news for Magna came as part of President Barack Obama's announcement of $2.4 billion in stimulus funding for batteries and electric vehicles... Magna E-Car Systems will receive funding for ‘increasing production capacity of advanced automotive electric drive system component manufacturing plants.’” [Muncie Star Press, 8/6/09]

 

President Obama to announce distribution of Recovery Act money across Indiana, including funds dedicated to Monaco RV in Elkhart County.  “The federal government is serving Michigan and Indiana the largest pieces of a $2.4 billion federal stimulus pie for electric vehicles, President Barack Obama is expected to announce during a visit to Wakarusa today.  The money, from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (known to most as the federal stimulus plan) will go to 11 projects in Michigan and seven in Indiana... Winners will be announced today but one was evident: Monaco RV, where Obama will announce the funds.  The former Monaco Coach Corp. filed for bankruptcy in March and was later bought by Navistar International Corp. in early June for $47 million.  After the purchase, the company’s name was changed to Monaco RV LLC, a wholly owned affiliate of Navistar Inc., Navistar’s principal operating company, and headquartered in Coburg, Ore., according to a news release.  The $2.4 billion will be matched by the same amount invested from the grant winners.  Some winners will match the grants dollar-for-dollar and others will invest more.  Some companies received waivers to invest less than the grant amount, Rogers said. Of the $2.4 billion, $1.5 billion will go to U.S. manufacturers producing batteries and their components, and to expand battery recycling.” [South Bend Tribune, 8/4/09]

 

Recovery Act funds will soon be available to help Indiana residents upgrade their education and job training.  “About $60 million in stimulus money soon will be available to help Hoosiers upgrade their education and job training, according to Alison Cole of Workforce Development.  ‘The asset, especially for lower-income people these days, is going to be education,’ said Cole, Workforce's director of public policy... Regarding jobs, Cole emphasized that work force investment money will go to help employees advance.” [The Republic, 7/23/09]

 

 Recovery Act funds will be used to weatherize 19,700 homes.  “Indiana has been awarded nearly $53 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to expand weatherization assistance programs for low- and moderate-income Hoosiers.  The funding, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will help lower energy costs for low- and moderate-income families, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create green jobs across the country.  With these funds, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) will begin to weatherize more than 19,700 homes across the state over the next three years.  The DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program saves families hundreds of dollars per year on overall energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient, including average savings of 32 percent for heating bills, according to DOE.”  Senator Bayh:  “Thousands of Hoosier families are eligible for weatherization improvements to their homes, which will help lower their energy bills and save money.” [Press Release – Senator Evan Bayh, 7/22/09]

 

Recovery Act apportionment to Indiana for affordable housing projects will generate jobs and help up to 6,500 families; Lt. Governor praises “twofold” benefits.  “Indiana has received $164 million in federal stimulus money to build affordable housing, an amount boosted by damage from last year's flooding... Indiana is receiving the funding under a portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  It allows states to receive cash for tax credits they normally would give to developers to build low-income projects. During the past year, the tax credits have not been enough to spur development, so the stimulus package allows states to trade their 2008 and 2009 credits for cash... ‘We have a number from throughout the state who are ready to break ground between 30 and 60 days from now,’ Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman said Monday.  The benefits are twofold. Not only are we putting Hoosiers back to work, but we're providing new, safe, affordable housing for as many as 6,500 Hoosier families.’” [Indianapolis Star, 7/21/09]

 

Indiana slated to gain sizable grant for numerous affordable housing projects.  “Indiana will receive more than $9.5 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to revitalize communities and help create jobs for Hoosiers.  The funds have been allocated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.”  Senator Bayh:  “Communities that were already struggling before the economic downturn face significant challenges to recovery.  These grants will improve neighborhoods’ long-term viability by sparking development, retaining businesses and creating jobs, while providing affordable housing options to Hoosiers in need.” [Press Release – Senator Evan Bayh, 7/16/09]

 

The Frankfort County library received Recovery Act funds to retain two staff positions.  “The Friends of the Frankfort Library received $25,000 Monday from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The act consisted of $500,000 that was spread out to 24 Indiana arts groups as part of federal economic stimulus funds.  The money was distributed by the Indiana Arts Commission and the Arts Council of Indianapolis and is intended to aid arts organizations in the state... Frankfort Library's arts director is Flo Fowler Caddell, who has almost 15 years experience in arts programming. Money from the grant will go to the retention of the library's youth theater director, Julie Miller, too. [Journal and Courier, 7/16/09]

 

Recovery Act allotment to Cass and Carroll Counties for road resurfacing efforts a “great use” of stimulus money.  “Bids are being accepted for work on local roads in Cass and Carroll counties... According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, the request for bids is in anticipation of funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.” [Carroll County Comet, 7/15/09]

 

24 Arts programs across Indiana obtained Recovery Act funds to shield employees from job loss.  “The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) and the Arts Council of Indianapolis announced today that 24 cultural program providers will receive federal economic stimulus funds totaling more than a half-million dollars... Those organizations include Elkhart Center, Inc. ($50,000); Fischoff National Chamber Music Association, Notre Dame, ($25,000); Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, ($50,000); and South Shore Arts, Inc., Munster ($50,000). The Arts Council of Indianapolis will also receive stimulus funds directly from the NEA.” [Lafayette Online News, 7/14/09]

 

1,222 construction jobs created through Recovery Act infusions for Indiana highway projects.  “Federal stimulus money for Indiana highway projects so far has put to work 1,222 people with a payroll of $1.27 million, according to state records of 42 projects under way in which contractors have reported job data.  The work, ranging from paving to replacing bridge decks, had a total contract value of $39.2 million.  That’s a sliver of the $440 million in federal stimulus money the Indiana Department of Transportation plans to put toward road work statewide over the next three years. Thus, it’s too early to gauge the broader effect of the stimulus on construction-related employment.” [Indianapolis Business Journal, 7/11/09]

 

$183,000 Recovery Act allocation used to repair underground gas leak in Dunkirk, furthering downtown development.  “The cleanup of a gas station site contaminated by a leaking underground storage tank will benefit from a $183,000 economic stimulus grant, state Rep. Bill Davis R-Portland, announced... ‘This grant will not only further the community's efforts in redeveloping the downtown area, but it will also turn a Brownfield site into a community asset,’ Davis said. ‘Providing the means to revitalize this property will improve the appearance and safety of the community at no cost to taxpayers, and also creates jobs for Hoosiers.’” [Muncie Star Press, 7/7/09]

 

Evansville obtained $3 million Recovery Act grant for Southeast Brookside sewer separation project, affecting over 1,500 people.  “Evansville is one of 15 communities in Indiana eligible for $122 million in grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which will fund wastewater and drinking water infrastructure improvements.  ‘These stimulus funds will reduce the impact of the Southeast Brookside Sewer Separation Project on Evansville taxpayers by trimming the amount of the loan needed to cover the project cost,’ said Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel.  ‘The size and scope of this particular project alone has the potential to impact so many lives on the southeast side and ensure those residents aren’t constantly living with the threat of flooding.’” [WTVW – FOX, 7/6/09]

 

$533,520 budgeted from Recovery Act will allow construction of 20-year pending Ronald Reagan Parkway.  “Another federal grant will help the long-planned construction of the Ronald Reagan Parkway continue to inch ahead... The parkway is planned for about 15 miles to link I-70, near Indianapolis International Airport, through Plainfield and Avon to I-74 at Brownsburg then north to I-65 near Whitestown in Boone County.  After nearly 20 years of planning and slowly scraping together funding, the key interchanges at I-70 and I-74 are built, and several miles in between are open.  But several miles are still not built, including a $13 million bridge over the CSX railroad yards in Avon.” [Indianapolis Star, 7/4/09]

 

Richmond became recipient of $180,000 Recovery Act allotment for water system improvements.  “Richmond qualifies for a $180,000 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 through the Indiana Finance Authority to complete improvements to the City's wastewater system.  ‘These stimulus funds will help save residents from having to assume the financial burden and pay higher fees to fund necessary infrastructure improvements,’ Sen. Allen Paul said Thursday in announcing the grant.” [Richmond Palladium-Item, 7/4/09]

 

$5.5 million in Recovery Act monies awarded to Goshen for water projects; mayor projects these to make a “major difference” in sewer costs. “Recovery funds are coming to Goshen... Total cost of the wastewater projects is approximately $36.8 million, with the water project cost estimated at $1.5 million.  Application of the funds will make a major difference in sewer rates for residents, according to Mayor Allan Kauffman.” [Goshen News, 7/3/09]

 

Indiana Department of Transportation awards sufficient Recovery Act funds for repainting part of John F. Kennedy Bridge in Jeffersonville.  “Part of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge will soon receive a fresh coat of paint.  As part of federal stimulus projects, the Indiana Department of Transportation, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will paint the underside of the bridge carrying Interstate 65 across the Ohio River at Riverside Drive and Market Street in Jeffersonville” [Jeffersonville Evening News, 6/28/09]

 

Indiana is the beneficiary of $9.4 million in Department of Transportation Recovery Act money.  “U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that Indiana will receive $9.4 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds for transit upgrades and improvements.  ‘ARRA transportation projects are putting people to work in Indiana and across the country,’ said Secretary LaHood.  ‘President Obama’s investments in jobs and people and a strong transportation infrastructure are providing a solid foundation for strong economic growth.’” [Press Release – U.S. Department of Transportation, 6/25/09]

 

Recovery Act will fund widening of Ronald Reagan Parkway; county commissioner: project is a “great economic tool.”  Sen. Connie Lawson (R-Danville):  “Construction of the Ronald Reagan Parkway is a great economic tool that will help attract future industrial, commercial, and residential developments in our communities.  It will also provide residents and visitors a much-needed north-south corridor that should help ease congestion on I-465.’” [WISH – CBS, 6/25/09]

 

Tippecanoe County will see $57.3 million in Recovery Act funding for transportation due to abundance of shovel-ready projects.  “Tippecanoe County is earmarked to receive $57.3 million of the state's stimulus funding for roads.  That amount is far more than the spending planned for any other Hoosier county from the $257 million that the Indiana Department of Transportation had committed through May.” [Lafayette Journal and Courier, 6/15/09]

 

First-time homebuyer tax credit proving a helpful corrective in Indiana real estate market.  “With positive trends being reported in both the number of units sold and the median selling price based on information captured by the Greater Northwest Indiana Association of REALTORS, Inc. (GNIAR) Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for 2009 through the end of May, the local real estate market is definitely moving in the right direction, according to Pete Novak, chief executive officer of GNIAR and member of the Northwest Indiana Housing Alliance... ‘The government’s first-time homebuyer tax credit is a significant incentive and has contributed greatly to the market picking up.’” [Munster Times, 6/13/09]

 

Recovery Act will allow Anderson schools to create 33 new jobs.  After 36 teachers had to be laid off, new positions could be filled by laid off teachers. [The Herald-Bulletin, 6/9/09]

 

Sanitary district director “ecstatic” that Recovery Act will pay for Anderson-based engineering company to work on Richmond sewer projects.  The sanitary district learned the city could use up to $2.1 million in loans and grants of federal stimulus money through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to replace equipment in the treatment building. [Palladium-Item, 6/9/09]

 

$50 million in Recovery Act dollars announced for geothermal energy development, promoting renewable energy and creating jobs in Indiana. [Press Release – U.S. Department of Energy, 6/4/09]

 

Recovery Act funds will be used for levees and floodwalls near Terre-Haute, providing protection from a 100-year flood.  USDA Secretary:  “This is a very, very important project for this area.  It’s going to save money and protect property.” [The Tribune-Star, 6/3/09]

 

Recovery Act funds will create or maintain 75,000 jobs in Indiana through alternative energy, broadband, and other infrastructure investments. [Indianapolis Star, 6/3/09]

 

Terre Haute flood control project to receive $3.3 million allotment of Recovery Act funds, guaranteeing completion of levee. [Terre Haute Tribune-Star, 6/2/09]

 

Recovery Act will allow Allen County to perform ten times as much roadwork as usual.  Commissioner: “It‘s going to benefit Allen County greatly to get roads paved sooner.” [Indiana‘s News Center, 5/22/09]

 

Purdue University will receive Recovery Act funds for four medical studies. [Journal and Courier, 5/22/09]

 

Purdue University Airport will receive Recovery Act money to improve security and wildlife management.  Airport director:  "This grant will allow us to increase our fence height by 2 feet and to install a skirt along the bottom of the fence to eliminate access by burrowing animals.  Wildlife and aircraft don't mix well. We try to create an environment around the airport where conflicts between birds, animals and aircraft are minimized. This enhances safety for people and protects wildlife." [Journal and Courier, 5/20/09]

 

Recovery Act will prevent education spending cuts in Indiana.  Secretary Arne Duncan: “Indiana can now utilize these funds to save jobs and lay the groundwork for a generation of education reform.” [The Times (Munster, IN) , 5/20/09]

 

South Bend school system is set to receive more than $14 million.  Recovery Act money is for programs to help schools with a large amount of low-income students meet academic standards and more than $6.1-million to support special education services and training of teachers.” [WNDU.com, 5/19/09]

 

Recovery Act allows Indianapolis school district to rehire laid off teachers for new professional development cadre.  “A week after voting to lay off 300 teachers, the Indianapolis public school board quietly approved hiring back up to 197 of them.” [Indianapolis Star, 5/9/09]

 

Crown Point schools will receive “unprecedented” $1.6 million in Recovery Act funding for special education programs. [Northwest Indiana Post-Tribune, 5/7/09]