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Santa Rosa County Schools are receiving Recovery Act funds to repair damage from hurricanes and bridge a budget deficit while maintaining current service levels. “The tentative budget for the upcoming 2010-11 year for Santa Rosa County schools looked promising for board members as they saw an increase in budget, along with an increase in staff at Thursday morning’s school board meeting…‘We have been working on trying to get more money from the state,’ said Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick. ‘We are the last district on this list.’… The school system will also be receiving a check from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for $2,501,897 for damages obtained from hurricanes during the 2005 school year. The school system is also receiving over $15 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, which are federal stimulus dollars given to the county from the government. A large $7.5 million lump of those funds took the place of state funds for the operating budget for the upcoming year. This will in turn make the operating budget look smaller for the 2010-11 school year. The instructional staff for Santa Rosa County according to McCole will be increasing for the 2010-11 school year based on class sizes and the State of Florida’s Class Size Amendment.” [Santa Rosa Press Gazette, 7/25/10]

Florida Tech has been the beneficiary of Recovery Act funded National Science Foundation Research grants, which have allowed the University to expand research and innovation programs during the down economy. “Tech professors are studying tiny animal cells, chronic inflammatory diseases and far-away galaxies -- among thousands of research projects the stimulus is paying for across the nation. A FLORIDA TODAY analysis of data and information from Florida Tech, of all stimulus grants funded by the National Science Foundation and of stimulus money distributed so far by the National Institutes of Health found: $2 million of stimulus funds was awarded in five grants to seven Florida Tech professors. 476 grants in Florida are completely or partially funded by the stimulus through the two agencies, which total $300 million so far. $13.4 billion in stimulus grant funding was received by the two agencies, including $3 billion by NSF and $10.4 billion by NIH; so far NIH has distributed about $6.5 billion. The funding comes as a boost to science exploration and research at a time when other stimulus money is being used to keep government services at the status quo and replace dwindling funding streams.” [Florida Today, 7/18/10]

Workforce Florida has received Recovery Act funded grants to enhance local digital literacy programs through 19 of the states 24 regional workforce boards with the hope that these initiatives will help Floridians get back to work. “Workforce Florida Inc., in its ongoing efforts to strengthen Florida’s workforce, today announced it has awarded more than $4 million to enhance local digital literacy initiatives through 19 of the state’s 24 Regional Workforce Boards. Participating Regional Workforce Boards from Northwest to South Florida are using the individual grants of up to $250,000 to offer new technology training opportunities and add to existing digital literacy efforts to address the needs of their region… The $4.3 million in grants comes from the state’s share of federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. The grants are allowing participating Regional Workforce Boards to create or add to their existing digital literacy programs, and to provide additional training to respond to the needs of employers and individuals in their communities... They also are establishing a variety of new initiatives and enhancing existing programs that serve high school students, adults, military veterans and seniors.” [WMBB News 13, 7/19/10]

Recovery Act Dollars Fund A Tampa Bay Homelessness Prevention Program Designed To Reduce The Number Of Homeless By Offering Help In Locating Housing And Financial Rental Assistance. “Eligible citizens who need short-term help to find or keep rental housing may be able to receive assistance with rent and security deposits, thanks to a program that is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program offers financial help and services to Pinellas County residents who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. It is administered by the Pinellas County Department of Health and Human Services. …” [Tampa Bay Newsweekly, 6/22/10]

Recovery Act Stimulus Funds Used To Provide Affordable Housing To Economically Disadvantaged Residents Of Miami. “At night, Johnny Yance and his wife sip yerba mate tea and chat on their balcony at Village Allapattah, a new affordable housing complex in Miami. They dream of owning a home one day. ‘We can save money now,” Yance said. “We have a chance.” Thousands more struggling families may soon find rent relief as an infusion of federal stimulus funds helps to jump-start the moribund affordable housing market in Florida, fueling job creation and opening doors to low-income residents. Nearly 100 affordable housing developments in Florida, including 44 in South Florida, have been awarded some form of federal stimulus funding in the past year, from grants to low-interest loans. Many of those projects, stalled for years, are likely to break ground by the end of 2010. “If it wasn't for the federal money, nothing would be happening in affordable housing in the state of Florida,” said Florida Housing Coalition President Jaimie Ross. …” [The Miami Herald, 5/25/10]

Recovery Act Stimulus Funds Two New State-Of-The-Art Screening Machines At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. “Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has become the 28th airport in the country to install new security machines that screen passengers for dangerous objects concealed under their clothes. The new machines across the country are ‘largely a result of Christmas Day’ when a Nigerian man boarded a plane wearing explosives under his pants, said John Lenihan, of Homeland Security. Miami International Airport already uses four machines, and 70 others are in place at 26 airports nationwide. Over the next year, 450 machines -- called Advanced Imaging Technology -- will be installed in 28 additional airports. …. The two machines at FLL are being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, of which $1 billion was allocated to TSA for security projects. FLL will be receiving an additional machine over the next few weeks to be placed at another checkpoint.” [Miami Herald, 5/26/10]

St. John’s County Receives Recovery Act Money To Improve Energy Efficiency And Public Safety. “Historic City News local reporters have been informed that St. Johns County has secured a statewide competitive energy conservation grant that will provide $437,902 for two projects. St. Johns County is proud to be one of only fourteen applicants in the state to receive this funding, which is a result of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The first portion of the grant will be used to re-synchronize traffic signals to improve traffic flow along five major road segments, including two segments on U.S. 1 South and one each on State Roads 13, 207, and A1A South. There are 23 total traffic signals planned to be synchronized, resulting in lower fuel consumption in vehicles, reduced greenhouse gas emissions through shorter travel times, increased travel speed, less stops and less delays for travelers on these roads. The estimated annual impact is anticipated to be 728,894 gallons of gasoline saved and a reduction of 6,768 metric tons of carbon. The second portion of the grant funds will be used by the County Building Department to develop a proactive energy program, which will include technical assistance and training workshops on energy efficient building techniques. A total of 90 workshops are planned over a two-year period that will reach out to a diverse industry base, anticipating over 1,600 attendees. The technical assistance component will facilitate availability of County staff to address specific questions from building applicants to provide the most appropriate information on energy savings. Based on the State Energy Program Calculator, St. Johns County anticipates the average annual savings of these combined programs to be more than $3 million in reduced fuel usage and energy savings.…” [Historic City News, 5/27/10]

The Appliance Center owner Bob Hurst Said Recovery Act Stimulus Incentive For Energy Efficient Appliances Gave Him More Sales In Two Days Than He Had Ever Made In A Month. “A rebate program to encourage residents to buy energy-efficient appliances in April boosted sales across the state and locally. … A rebate program, similar to the Cash for Clunkers program for cars, drew 72,000 rebate applications in four days in April. About 4,000 customers are on a waiting list to get rebates from the state government, state Energy and Climate Commission chief analyst Brenda Buchan wrote in e-mail. The program ended April 25, but the state plans to pay as many people as possible from the nearly $17.6 million in stimulus funds. The program encouraged residential customers to ditch their old appliances for energy-efficient Energy Star brands and get 20 percent off a certain appliance before taxes. The program contributed at least $62 million to the state economy and about $4 million in tax revenues. … In two days, the store pulled $160,000 in sales and had enough business to hire two positions, Hurst said. Sales seem to have remained strong, Hurst said. …” [News Herald, 5/31/10]

Cone Distributing Inc. will use Recovery Act funding to build a new distribution center and employ an additional 50 workers. “Cone Distributing Inc. is truly one of a kind. The longtime Ocala-based beer distributorship was the only company from a nationwide search to apply for Marion County's portion of tax-exempt bond funding available through the federal stimulus package enacted in 2009. The County Commission on Tuesday agreed to grant the company nearly $10.2 million to help build its new $16 million distribution center and, in turn, help create nearly 50 new jobs. The funding, known as Recovery Zone Facility Bonds, was available because the County Commission declared the county an economic recovery zone last September. The $10.2 million set aside for Cone Distributing was the total amount allotted to Marion County under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. According to county documents, Cone Distributing will use the tax-free bonds to help build a new 150,000-square-foot facility on 26 acres along Northwest 44th Avenue, between U.S. 27 and State Road 40. The new distribution center, which would be three times the size of its current headquarters on Northwest 27th Avenue, where about 200 of 264 workers are employed, should be under construction by July 1. The company expects the site to begin operation a year later.” [Ocala, 5/5/10]

The Recovery Act is responsible for 153,000 jobs in Florida and slowed the rise of the state’s unemployment rate. “Stimulus spending in Florida sped up in the first three months of this year, saving or creating the equivalent of 33,218 full-time jobs, the state's stimulus czar said on Friday. Workers affected by these jobs amounted to 74,969, the state estimates. That includes many who were hired for some portion of the three-month period using stimulus dollars. The grand total of Florida workers who were helped directly or indirectly by jobs saved or created since the start of the stimulus bill more than a year ago amounts to 153,000. That's the estimate from the federal Council of Economic Advisers… We expected it to have a significant impact (on Florida's economy), and it has, said Don Winstead, special advisor to Gov. Charlie Crist. As we've seen additional awards, that impact has grown. All this spending has not reversed the state's rising unemployment rate, which reached a record 12.3 percent in March. Stimulus proponents say it would be worse if not for the burst of federal spending. Much of Florida's share has gone to schools, which contained the number of layoffs of teachers and other personnel.” [Palm Beach Post, 4/26/10]

A leader in LED-based lighting production, received Recovery Act funds to open a new factory in Brevard County that could create 832 new jobs. “Lighting Science Group Corporation (Pink Sheets: LSCG), a leading American maker and innovator of LED-based lighting, has been awarded a preliminary allocation of up to approximately $18.8 million in federal economic stimulus bonds to acquire and develop a research, development, engineering, design, and manufacturing facility in Brevard County, Florida that has the potential to create 832 new jobs. … A new facility will position the Company to expand its American LED lighting manufacturing capacity. The Company is looking at several locations to build or acquire a suitable facility of approximately 100,000 square feet… ‘From the International Space Station to the Times Square Ball to major cities, and now in homes, Lighting Science lighting products and lighting solutions are saving Americans money and increasing energy independence,’ said Zach Gibler, Chief Executive Officer of Lighting Science Group Corporation. ‘Lighting Science LED lamps and luminaires are providing Americans the freedom to switch to environmentally friendly and energy efficient lighting solutions without sacrificing light quality.” [Miami Herald, 4/26/10]

Crowds gathered early to take advantage of the first day of Florida’s Recovery Act-funded energy efficient appliance rebate program. “Crowds gathered early Friday morning at the Sears at Coral Square Mall in Coral Springs to take advantage of the state’s rebate program for Energy Star-rated appliances. Starting today, consumers are eligible to receive 20 percent government rebates on the purchase price of energy-efficient appliances. The total rebate is limited to $1,500 per residential address. Sears was offering another 30 percent off… The program, created as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is similar to last year’s popular ‘cash-for-clunkers’ initiative that allowed consumers to receive government rebates for replacing older cars with more fuel-efficient ones. Refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers, room air conditioners and tankless gas water heaters are eligible for rebates. Florida will administer the rebates from $17.6 million it received from stimulus funds.” [South Florida Business Journal, 4/16/10]

With Recovery Act funding, the Governor’s energy office ‘fundamentally’ changed, expanded its work by investing in energy efficient projects. “Federal stimulus funding has helped boost the budget of the Governor's Energy Office, enabling it to offer financial support for more energy projects, building retrofits and investment in alternative and renewal energy, some of which is due out by this summer. … Founded in 2008, the Governor's Energy Office had an annual budget of $2 million until the passage of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act in 2009. That expanded the agency's funding to $200 million over three years and ‘fundamentally changed’ its work, Stuart told the gathering. The list of activities ranges from solar energy units for school buildings, a $10 million program with the Florida Solar Energy Center, to $19.5 million in grants to pay for shovel-ready energy projects. A total of $4 million will provide matching grants for compressed natural gas fleet fueling facilities… One company that has expanded is Marpan Recycling, which accepts and processes construction debris and other recoverable materials. Owner Kim Williams said his business expects to surpass 150 million pounds of material recycled by the time it marks two years of operations next month. ‘All that material would have been buried,’ he said. ‘All that material has found new uses.’” [Tallahassee Democrat, 4/16/10]

Brevard County roads will be resurfaced with extra Recovery Act funds available due to lower-than-anticipated bids on other projects. “Leftover funds totaling $2.1 million from President Barack Obama's federal economic stimulus program will resurface eight more Brevard County roadways. Last summer, the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization picked an array of ‘shovel-ready’ road projects initially valued at $9.9 million via the American Recovery and Investment Act. But -- thanks to the rotten economy -- construction bids came it at a lower-than-anticipated $7.8 million. So the TPO decided to spend the surplus on additional paving projects.” [Florida Today, 4/12/10]

Recovery Act funds will helpBroward County reduce fossil fuel emissions, energy use, and improve efficiency in its buildings, transportation systems. “Broward County government learned Monday (April 5) that it will be the recipient of $1.24 million in federal stimulus funding from the state of Florida as part of the United States Department of Energy (DOE) - Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The national goals of this grant program include reducing fossil fuel emissions, reducing the total energy use of the applicants, and improving the energy efficiency in buildings and in transportation. .. Proposed activities include supporting an Energy/Climate Program, development of a climate change element to Broward County's comprehensive plan, implementation of a countywide urban reforestation program; establishing a residential/commercial rebate on energy efficient devices; a public outreach campaign, including energy efficiency and transit ridership in partnership with the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization; a solar energy education pilot in partnership with the School Board of Broward County; and a training program for building professionals and residents on energy efficient construction practices.” [South Florida Caribbean News, 4/8/10]

Lighthouse Central Florida is working to lower the 70% unemployment rate among the visually impaired by connecting clients with employers. “Getting a job is a major hurdle for blind people, but Lighthouse Central Florida is working to change that. Lighthouse President and CEO Lee Nasehi and the staff at Lighthouse have been working on a project to employ the visually impaired — a group that has a 70 percent unemployment rate, Nasehi said… Serving about 1,000 people each year, it helps those with vision loss learn new ways to approach tasks and daily living, in everything from discerning salt and pepper to using computer programs. For many years, the organization has helped connect its clients with existing employers, but by the end of the year, it hopes to become one of those employers. Employees would provide services and produce office supplies and other products for federal and state governments, with jobs available for a range of skill and interest levels. They're referring to the new project as Lighthouse Works! and are currently seeking a new building to facilitate the growth and change it will bring… Lighthouse's satellite office in Avalon Park is currently the hub of employment services. Lighthouse was given an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contract stimulus award through Florida's division of blind services in March, which pays for job development, placement specialists and job readiness training.” [The Observer, 4/7/10]

Group received a $1 million Recovery Act grant to restore threatened Florida Scrub Jay habitats on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. “Threatened Florida scrub jays will be the main beneficiaries of almost $1 million in federal stimulus money to restore their habitat by sawing down pines and other trees that are considered too tall, invasive or otherwise in the bird's way. Habitat Restoration Resources Inc. of Cape Coral will get $800,000 to remove willow, maple, wax myrtle and other trees on parts of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the project Tuesday as part of a $905,000 grant to the refuge. That brings to $2.2 million the total the refuge has received from the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act…The remaining $105,000 of the latest grant will go to Summit Helicopters of Cloverdale, Va., to do aerial spraying of herbicide on invasive hardwood trees and shrubs. In all, the projects will restore about 15,000 acres of scrub habitat.” [Florida Today, 4/7/10]

University of Central Florida’s College of Medicine will build a regional electronic medical records system with funding from the Recovery Act. “The University of Central Florida's College of Medicine has been awarded more than $7 million to build a regional electronic medical-records system that promises to make health care more efficient and less costly. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday that UCF will receive nearly $7.7 million, … to establish Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers. University of South Florida in Tampa was awarded $5.8 million and Community Health Centers Alliance in St. Petersburg will receive $10.9 million. The awards, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will help develop the emerging health information-technology industry, which is expected to support tens of thousands of jobs ranging from nurses and pharmacy techs to IT technicians and trainers… The federal grant will allow UCF's College of Medicine to help doctors acquire financial incentives for participating in the information exchange. With the stimulus money, health providers would be eligible to receive federal reimbursements for participating in the network that could total $55 million locally — more if they accept Medicare and Medicaid patients.” [Orlando Sentinel, 4/7/10]

Department of Environmental Protection committed all its $218.9 million from the Recovery Act to 68 projects that will improve water facilities. “The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that it has committed all $218.9 million in Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) project money made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Florida secured the ARRA money to help local governments across the state finance improvements to wastewater, stormwater and drinking water facilities essential to protecting public health and the environment. … All local construction contracts have been awarded and all projects have started construction… The East County Water Control District (ECWCD) is a prime example of stimulus money at work. With $2,418,819 awarded by DEP on June 26, 2009, ECWCD has completed construction of the Harns Marsh Phase I Improvements and the Yellowtail Replacement Project—Florida’s first completed ARRA projects. Working with DEP, ECWCD has been able to replace four structures and build one new structure in order to reduce flooding to downstream neighbors on the Orange River, improve water quality and storage; and recharge the groundwater aquifers.” [WCTV, 4/5/10]

The Recovery Act put Marion County residents back to work, and the local government has begun the process for hiring 21 new positions. “A new injection of federal stimulus money has opened the way to put some people back to work in Marion County. The county recently announced that it would hire some of the 43 people the city of Ocala recently turned down under a temporary employment program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or ARRA. In a related but separate move, county officials are also seeking requests from companies to tap about $10 million in federal tax-exempt bond money to expand their plants. Screenings for 21 new jobs with the county that previously were slated for the city began on March 22, according to Jannet Walsh, spokeswoman for Workforce Connection, the Ocala-based employment agency that serves Marion, Citrus and Levy counties. Those jobs augment 27 positions the County Commission approved in February. Rusty Skinner, Workforce's chief executive officer, said the state recently awarded his agency $1.4 million under the Florida Back to Work program. That funding supplements $2.8 million that Workforce had received in December under Florida Back to Work. Federal money will enable Workforce to create 290 jobs with 36 businesses, government agencies and nonprofit organizations in Marion and Citrus counties.” [Ocala.com, 3/29/10]

Recovery Act funding will purchase hybrid buses across the state, Tampa will extend the city’s streetcar system. “Recovery Act is paying for diesel-electric hybrid buses, ADA-compliant bus shelters and electronic information systems to bring bus schedules to handheld devices… Kimmins Contracting Corp., a Tampa utility, earthwork and demolition company, won a $4.9 million contract to extend Tampa’s streetcar system… HART, which received more than $15 million in stimulus funding… spent $7.8 million on 20 buses and used additional funds on accessibility improvements, surveillance camera installation and a paint rehab of the fleet, among other upgrades… Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority invested $8.4 million … on 14 energy efficient buses. The diesel-electric hybrid vehicles will save between 20 and 30 percent of fuel costs… PSTA is spending additional stimulus funds on a real-time passenger information system and improvements to bus stops. Manatee County Area Transit, the recipient of a $4.6 million stimulus grant, bought three hybrid buses slated to arrive in September and plans to buy two more… Eventually, MCAT will convert its entire fleet to energy efficient vehicles, Heseler said. MCAT also is installing bus shelters and adding walkways to make shelters accessible and ADA-compliant.” [Tampa Bay Business Journal, 3/19/10]

Recovery Act provided $3.3 million for the Escambia County Sherriff’s Office to add five officers to their rotation. “New deputies are now on the streets of North Escambia thanks to a federal economic stimulus program grant. The five new patrol officers were added with the assistance of a $3.3 million, three-year grant that will fund 20 new Community Oriented Policing (COPS) positions in the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office… The COPS grant federal funding ends in three years, but the Escambia County Commission committed last year to fund the positions for a fourth year at a cost to the county of $1.1 million. ‘Our intention is to have the officers up there permanently,’ Morgan said. ‘Sometimes based upon crime stats we will temporarily reassign officers to other areas, but our intent is always to send them back.’ In addition to regular patrols, officers in the new grant-funded positions will engage in community oriented policing activities. The officers will participate in problem oriented policing in conjunction with the Community Oriented Policing Unit, and investigating underlying issues in the community that could lead to criminal activity…” [North Escambia, 3/18/10]

The Recovery Act funded important transportation and infrastructure projects in central Florida. “Roadway construction often seems to be a constant part of life in Central Florida. But during difficult economic times, funding shortfalls can severely curtail the scope and the speed of many projects. However, residents in Central Florida will continue to see crews hard at work thanks to funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. According to Lake County spokesman Chris Patton, ten roadway projects are in various stages of construction… County officials report the $1.2 million project is being funded with stimulus dollars along with a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation… Officials say other projects that will be wrapping up at the end of this month include resurfacing Lake Griffin Road between Lemon Street and Grays Airport Road; County Road 466A from Cutoff Road to U.S. Highway 27/441; Eagles Nest Road from U.S. Highway 27 to Ridge Road; and Goose Prairie Road from Emeralda Road to County Road 452.” [The Daily Commercial, 3/13/10]

Pensacola’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity received Recovery Act funding that will allow the organization to build 240 homes over the next 3 years. “Since its inception in 1981, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity has built or restored 656 houses that families now call home. Now the nonprofit organization will pick up the pace even more, thanks to a grant that will allow it to build or restore 240 homes over the next three years. Pensacola Habitat for Humanity is one of seven Habitat programs nationwide that will receive funds from Habitat for Humanity International, itself a recipient of $141 million from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 fund, part of the American Reinvestment & Recovery Act of 2009. The Pensacola chapter, which serves Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, will receive about $24 million to build 195 new homes and restore 45 more from now through early 2013… It's the biggest funding influx ever for the local chapter… The homes that will be built with the $24 million in stimulus funds must be constructed in various areas identified by the U.S. Census as being negatively affected by abandoned, foreclosed and vacant properties and blight. Habitat's proposed work in Pensacola will target eight Census tracks in the western urban core of Pensacola, and two Census tracks in South Santa Rosa County.” [Pensacola News Journal, 3/11/10]

Work will begin within the next few weeks on major stimulus funded road construction projects in Sarasota County and Venice. “Work on road construction projects totaling about $21 million will begin in the next few weeks, with most of the cost paid by federal economic stimulus money. Among the biggest projects is a $7 million resurfacing of University Parkway from U.S. 41 to Interstate 75. Work on the Sarasota County portion, from U.S. 41 to U.S. 301, is expected to begin in early April, …. Manatee County is seeking bids and expects work to begin in July on the segment between U.S. 301 and I-75. Most of the project funding comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, designed to stimulate the economy and boost employment.… In the Venice area, the $1.2 million repaving of a one-mile stretch of East Venice Avenue between Ramsey and Jacaranda Boulevard will begin in early April. In mid-April, U.S. 301 from Myrtle Avenue to DeSoto Road will be expanded from four to six lanes for $9.3 million. The improvements follow an $18.3 million expansion of U.S. 301 that began in October. Downtown Venice will get a face-lift to one of its most prominent intersections and is among the next stimulus projects to break ground.” [Herald Tribune, 3/5/10]

Vice President Biden highlights Recovery Act benefits, predicting that the legislation will continue to create jobs throughout the next year. “Vice President Joe Biden told construction workers he knows people are frustrated with the pace of economic recovery, but said Monday federal stimulus spending is working and even more jobs will be created as more transportation projects get started. With piles of broken concrete slabs and asphalt chunks behind him, he told about two dozen road construction workers sitting on large concrete pipes that most economists agree the year-old recovery act has saved or created at least 2 million jobs.… Biden, who appeared with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., predicted the stimulus will continue to create jobs as the year progresses… ‘We're making sure that when we do this work, it's part of a larger plan, a plan that sparks widespread economic activity, a plan that creates jobs throughout communities, a plan that ensures that we come out of this recession better prepared to lead in the 21st century than we did going in,’ said Biden, adding that there are 12,500 road projects across the country being paid through the stimulus.” [Business Week, 3/1/10]

Ninety K-12 schools, colleges, and vocational schools will be retrofitted with solar panels thanks to $10 million in Recovery Act funding. “A $10 million stimulus award to retrofit up to 90 Florida K-12, colleges, and vocational and private schools that serve as emergency shelters has local businesses eyeing work opportunities. The Florida Solar Energy Center’s SunSmart School and E-Shelters program offers opportunities for state and local governments and businesses to install renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies such as solar panels. About $8.5 million of the award will go toward installing panels on schools statewide, and the remaining $1.5 million will be used for education, training and administration.… The purpose is to promote job growth, work for Florida businesses and the use of renewable energy technologies in schools, said Rob Vickers, director of the Florida Energy & Climate Commission… Projects like these also can help save jobs, said Clayton Eigenmann, president of Alternative Energy Services Inc., an Altamonte Springs-based five-employee solar panel contractor. ‘Trying to get non-government customers is difficult, so we’ve been longing for these projects to come out.’” [Orlando Business Journal, 3/1/10]

Representative Castor calls Recovery Act ‘Our Lifeline’ at a groundbreaking ceremony for a much-needed Tampa health care clinic. “East Tampa community leaders and city officials today broke ground for a clinic intended to provide badly needed health care and jobs. The Tampa Family Health Care Center is expected to open by August, providing health care to area residents at a 15,000-square-foot facility at the corner of 22nd Street and Osborne Avenue, across from Middleton High School. Nearly $1.3 million of the $3.8 million construction costs will be paid with federal stimulus funds. A staff of about 40 will include clerks, doctors and technicians who will provide primary, family and pediatric care. The clinic also will provide some obstetrical and mental health care… ‘This is the intent of the recovery act at work,’ said U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa. ‘The recovery act is our lifeline here in Tampa. We have struggled more than most’… Charles Bottoms, the health center's chief executive officer, said the agency's clinics served about 39,000 patients in Hillsborough County last year, equaling about 100,000 patient visits. An increase is expected with the opening of two more clinics.” [The Tampa Tribune, 2/22/10]

Minneola gets $853,000 from Recovery Act for wastewater line improvements, a major step in city’s attempts to attract commercial growth. “For years, this south Lake County city has wanted to attract commercial growth – including shops, restaurants and convenience stores – along the U.S. Highway 27 corridor. But the problem has been the lack of wastewater lines. Now the city has gotten a boost thanks to federal stimulus money. Minneola recently was awarded $853,000 in federal dollars through the state Department of Environmental Protection to help pay for improvements and adding new wastewater lines along U.S. 27. The lines will send sewage to Minneola's new wastewater-treatment plant near Sullivan and North Grassy Lake roads. City officials say those new lines will help spur new business growth along the thoroughfare and eventually provide wastewater service to the 1,100-inmate Lake Correctional Institution north of Minneola.” [Orlando Sentinel, 2/17/10]

$10 Million in Recovery Act Funds Bring Solar-Powered Generators to Treasure Coast High Schools for Power Emergency Shelter Spaces. “At least one high school in each Treasure Coast county is expected to get a solar-powered generator to help power its emergency shelter space through a federal stimulus grant. Gov. Charlie Crist announced Monday that $10 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 grants have been awarded to the Florida Solar Energy Center to oversee the installation of solar-powered back-up generators at approximately 90 high school-based shelters across the state. Susan Schleith, coordinator of the center that is run by the University of Central Florida, said the 800 schools in the state that are eligible for the generators will soon be advised how they can apply. ‘We’re hoping to select at least one school in each county,’ Schleith said… Money for the program is part of the $126 million the state received for energy-related initiatives under the recovery act.” [Treasure Coast Palm, 2/15/10]

The Recovery Act will fund the construction of up to 110 bus stop shelters. “Into each life a little rain must fall, the poet Longfellow penned. But some bus riders could soon gain a little shelter from showers and the broiling rays of a summer sun while waiting to catch the next Pasco County bus. Up to 110 bus stops countywide could benefit from transit shelters, according to a long-term list from the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization. Money to install the shelters has been the stumbling block. Federal stimulus money will help pay for seven bus stop shelters that will be in place by March, said Adelaida D. Reyes, director of Pasco County Community Services… The new structures should be similar to the bus-stop shelter along Little Road in front of the West Pasco Government Center, said Michael H. Carroll, the county's public transportation manager.” [The Suncoast News, 2/6/10]

University of Miami received Recovery Act funding to help build a neuroscience health annex which will be used to study the fundamentals of brain activity. “The University of Miami announced Thursday it has been awarded $14.8 million in stimulus money to help build a neuroscience and health annex at its Coral Gables campus. The latest techniques in brain imaging are expected to be done in the new 37,700-square-foot facility to be constructed as an addition to the James M. Cox Jr. Science Center within the College of Arts and Sciences. The Neuroscience and Health Annex, funded through the National Institutes of Health, will create an interactive hub for interdisciplinary research based on neurological imaging and health research… The new building will include a human functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) laboratory, where scientists, clinicians and engineers can work together on fundamental aspects of brain function, changing the way scientists diagnose and treat myriad neurological diseases. One of the challenges to understanding human emotions, cognition and neurological disorders is linking changes in brain cell function to changes in subjective experiences and observable behaviors, the university said.” [Miami Herald, 2/4/10]

Recovery Act funding for Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail will bring 20,000 construction jobs to Florida. “Fifty years after the decline in America's passenger rail service that left Tampa with one daily train, President Obama will award $1.25 billion in federal stimulus funds to help build a Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail line. The project is expected to create 23,000 construction jobs and energize business development, along with improved mobility planned by late 2014. Obama and Vice President Biden will discuss jobs creation at a town hall meeting today on the University of Tampa campus, a symbolic venue where Plant Hall commemorates the role of a 19th century entrepreneur who built the railroad that transformed Tampa into a major trade center... Financing for the Tampa-Orlando line could enable the Obama administration to reap political benefits from creating more than 20,000 construction jobs in a swing state with an 11-plus percent unemployment rate. An additional 1,100 permanent operations and maintenance jobs would be created along the Tampa-Orlando route, Florida said in its stimulus fund application.” [Tampa Tribune, 1/28/10]

President Obama announced a high-speed rail initiative as part of the federal stimulus bill; program will fund improvements existing rail corridors as well. “President Obama is taking his job-creation message from the State of the Union address on the road Thursday as he travels to Florida to announce the awarding of $8 billion in high-speed rail projects designed to improve or create service in 13 major corridors across the country. The projects, which span from coast to coast, include startup money to help build trains in California and Florida. For months, states have been engaged in a bidding war over the money, which comes from the economic stimulus plan approved a year ago… Most of the money will go to improving existing rail service… The administration on Thursday announced that it would award $2.25 billion to help California make a small down payment on its ambitious $45 billion plan to build trains that can go 220 miles an hour… Another $1.25 billion will go to build 84 miles of track from Tampa to Orlando that would allow trains to travel at up to 168 miles per hour… The Florida stretch, which the administration says it expects to be completed by 2014, would have the advantage of showing people what could be achieved quickly.” [New York Times, 1/28/10]

Lee County businesses can expand thanks to a low-interest financing option sponsored by the Recovery Act. “Business owners who want to relocate or expand in Lee County have a new low-interest financing option – but the clock is ticking. The federal government has made $56.1 million in tax-exempt financing available to businesses in the county through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, according to a release issued Tuesday by the county Economic Development Office. Applications for projects requesting at least $3 million in financing are being accepted now, but only until Sept. 30 or when the money is exhausted, whichever comes first. Any money local businesses get from the new program will help the area's depressed economy, said Tom Wallace, president of Fort Myers-based Independent Development Services Corp., which helps businesses expand using a combination of private loans and Small Business Administration lending programs. With unemployment at 13.8 percent, he said, ‘We are officially flat on our back. Anybody who's willing to lend a hand so we can grab our own bootstraps, that's a good thing.’ Wallace said he's looking into how the 504 program can be combined with the new financing program to help local businesses.” [Ft. Myers News-Press, 1/27/10]

Lending up by 86 percent in South Florida thanks to an infusion of cash from the Recovery Act loan program. “The U.S. Small Business Administration reported lending in South Florida shot up 86 percent to $148.5 million in the first fiscal quarter ended Dec. 31. The total number of SBA loans increased 69 percent to 389 year over year. ‘While we certainly have room for continued improvement, we have definitely turned the corner,’ SBA South Florida District Director Francisco A. Marrero said in a news release. He added that the provisions in the president’s stimulus package helped spur new lending by raising the guarantee on all loans to 90 percent and eliminating guarantee fees, which created substantial savings for small businesses. In the meantime, an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act loan program, known as America’s Recovery Capital has put an additional $4,839,300 into the hands of 169 South Florida small business owners. As the South Florida Business Journal reported in August, the ARC program offers borrowers up to $35,000 in deferred-payment, 100 percent-guaranteed loans.” [South Florida Business Journal, 1/25/10]

Recovery Act funding dedicated to Tallahassee area project to aid endangered species by improving their pine forest habitat. “Federal stimulus dollars have found their way to Tallahassee yet again with the start of an environmental project designed to improve pine forest habitat for endangered species living in the Red Hills region. ‘This is a special region for a lot of reasons,’ said Jim Cox, biologist with the Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service thought so, too, awarding a $200,000 contract in November to Tall Timbers for the effort to restore longleaf-pine forests and make habitat improvements. Tall Timbers, a nonprofit research organization on County Road 12 in Leon County, will use the money from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act over the coming year to contract with scientists and other professionals for a number of projects, Cox said. The money funds the equivalent of 7.5 full-time positions through year's end.” [Tallahassee Democrat, 1/21/10]

Recovery Act funds will be deployed to help Sarasota workers buy homes. “Several houses in the working class neighborhood off North Euclid Avenue still have the long, brown grass and the empty driveways that say FORECLOSURE in every community in Florida. But in a little white house with yellow trim on 22nd Street – another foreclosure, boarded up and left vacant for more than a year – construction workers are busy fixing things up as part of a reclamation project that is gaining steam. Just over $24 million in federal Recovery Act funds will be deployed between now and the spring of 2012 to buy 170 foreclosed homes, fix them up and resell them to working class families.” [Herald Tribune, 1/19/10]

Recovery Act program gives 390 people green job training in Jacksonville. “A federal ‘green jobs’ program will give training to 390 people in the Jacksonville area by using a $2.2 million grant announced Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Labor. U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, said the Pathways Out Of Poverty program will help people in the ranks of the ‘hardcore unemployed’ who dropped out of high school or have criminal records. Florida State College at Jacksonville will receive a $2.2 million grant to run the program, said U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. The Department of Labor wants the job-training to focus on people living in neighborhoods where the poverty rate is 15 percent or higher. FSCJ is among 38 recipients of grants totaling $150 million that were announced Wednesday for similar green-job training programs nationwide.” [Florida Times-Union, 1/14/10]

Recovery Act funds will help build the country’s largest coral reef research center. “Nova Southeastern University received $15 million in federal stimulus money to build America's largest coral reef research center. The 86,000-square-foot Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystems Science Research Facility will house local, national and international coral reef research. The facility will be located at NSU's Oceanographic Center at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park in Dania Beach, Fla… The award was one of 12 announced by the National Institute of Standards and Technology as a result of a nationwide competition made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding. The NSU grant was one of two to receive the largest amount awarded at $15 million.” [Environmental Protection Online, 1/13/10]

Recovery Act funds to expand Early Head Start Program will allow 212 more mothers and children to be served by the program. “Federal stimulus dollars will give pregnant mothers and newborns in Duval and Clay counties a jump-start on education and parent training through a government program run by a local church outreach group. Episcopal Children's Services was awarded a $3.7 million federal grant to expand the Early Head Start program on the First Coast, which previously only operated in Baker County. The program is a federal, community-based initiative that serves low-income pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers. The program is similar to Head Start, which begins serving children at age 4 nationally. The grant will allow 212 more mothers and children to be served between the three counties…The money will support the expansion and service through September 2011. Episcopal will begin enrolling mothers and students for Baker's additional 16 slots immediately; Clay will begin enrolling by March and Duval begins services by September because of time needed for construction. Deborah Gianoulis Heald, president of Episcopal's foundation board, said strong early childhood programming will help improve Duval's graduation rate.” [The Florida Times Union, 1/13/10]

The Broward County Minority Builders Coalition was awarded Recovery Act money to train 1,000 workers in technologies that improve energy efficiency. “The Broward County Minority Builders Coalition has been awarded a $3.2 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant. The money will be used to train 1,000 workers in technologies that improve energy efficiency, according to Gov. Charlie Crist… The coalition, which includes WorkForce One of Broward County, will train and place workers in jobs involving design and installation of solar energy panels and systems, weatherization of buildings and LEED certification. The coalition was among 25 recipients chosen by the U.S. Department of Labor for $100 million in Energy Training Partnership grants through the stimulus program. The Recovery Act includes $500 million in funding for green job training programs.” [South Florida Business Journal, 1/11/10]

Recovery Act funds will be used to build a state-of-the-art research building dedicated to saving coral reefs; reefs account for 71,000 South Florida jobs. “Thanks to a little stimulus money, well actually a lot of it, Nova Southeastern University is poised to build a state-of-the-art research building dedicated to saving one of South Florida's most precious and beautiful natural resources. Nova Southeastern University already has something called the National Coral Reef Institute operating from an old building at John U. Lloyd State Park in Dania Beach. There's a makeshift-looking collection of tubs out back, in which the researchers grow coral to study. The labs are cramped. The students and researchers do what they can with limited space. The new building will be funded with $15 million from federal stimulus money. That's a lot of clams, but the building is also expected to be a big job boost for the area… Florida has 84 percent of the nation's coral reefs, and they are a huge part of South Florida's economy, supporting the local fishing and diving industries and luring ecotourists from around the world. It's estimated that in South Florida, the reefs account for about 71,000 jobs… The hope is new discoveries will be made to halt the world-wide decline of coral reefs. In recent years, about 20 percent have died, and about 50 percent are in danger.” [NBC Miami, 1/11/10]

Recovery Act funds are being used for “massive” Everglades restoration projects. “The multibillion-dollar Everglades restoration program, which for 10 years has moved with the speed of a tortoise with a broken leg, suddenly turned into a jackrabbit over the past two months. Federal officials broke ground on two massive segments of the restoration project and expect to launch a third within two weeks… Federal and state officials say the economic stimulus package that Congress passed last year has given the Everglades project new life, allowing federal officials to pump nearly half a billion dollars into some of its shovel-ready segments in the past few months. ‘The stimulus money has given a real shot in the arm to this project,’ Jo Ellen Darcy, the Army assistant secretary for public works, told reporters during the annual Everglades Coalition conference in West Palm Beach on Friday… However, since President Barack Obama was sworn in, the project has gotten ‘the most federal funding in one year that we've ever seen,’ said Susan Fain, co-chair of the Everglades Coalition, a consortium of 53 environmental and civic groups that has been pushing for 25 years for restoration. That's because the economic stimulus bill was aimed at providing funding for job-creating projects that already had their plans and permits in place. Because of all the work the state did during the delay, there were several key segments of the Everglades project that were ready to go ‘when a chunk of change hit the ground,’ said Sam Hamilton, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.” [St. Petersburg Times, 1/9/10]

Recovery Act grant will be used to build a new center for the study of coral-reef ecosystems at Nova Southeastern University. “A new coral reef research facility for Nova Southeastern University is getting a $15 million boost from federal stimulus funds. The grant will be used to build the new Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystem Science (CoE CRES) research facility, which has a total price tag of $30 million. It is expected to be completed in fall 2011… The new 86,000-square-foot facility will support five main research focus areas: the impact of climate, fish and pollution on coral reef ecosystems; marine planning, analysis and mapping; deep sea coral reefs and biodiversity; molecular biology and conservation genetics as applied to coral reefs; and the impact of ocean and coastal hydrodynamics on coral reefs.” [South Florida Business Journal, 1/8/10]

Johnson Brothers won Recovery Act-funded contract to fix bridge. “Drivers on the Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge will begin to see construction activity at the base of the bridge in late January… The project is being built with $25.5 million the state received in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the so-called federal stimulus package. It is expected to take nearly two years to complete… Those dollars will allow the build/design team of FIGG and Johnson Brothers to construct the new span that will include two 12-foot travel lanes, a 10-foot outside shoulder, a 6-foot inside shoulder and an 8-foot sidewalk on the west side - plus add lighting… Relocation of utility lines, including waste-water lines and reuse lines, will be accomplished in 150 days... The build/design was chosen because FIGG and Johnson Brothers entered the lowest bid at about $25.5 million, which was the only bid under the total budget of $28.3 million in available stimulus money. The FDOT was able to save $5 million of the stimulus money that Collier County had committed to the project. And, the possibility of adding a toll to the bridge is no longer under discussion among city leaders. ‘The toll option went away when the state was able to successfully get the stimulus funding,’ Joel said.” [Marco Island Sun Times, 1/8/10]

County Commission Chair Wayne Harris endorsed Recovery Act-funded road construction. “It doesn’t take much for local politicians, conservatives all, to put aside their principled objections to huge federal spending programs. Just ask Okaloosa County Commission Chairman Wayne Harris. In an article we published Monday, the Daily News’ Kari Barlow explained Mr. Harris’ interest in securing a road-building grant, part of something called the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery program. Here’s how it went: ‘As a fiscal conservative, Harris said, he is not a fan of stimulus programs, but the money, which would be used to expand the State Road 85 corridor, can only help Okaloosa.’ We’ve been hearing a lot of that lately. Conservatives don’t like the idea of Washington spending mega-millions to create jobs and strengthen the nation’s wobbly economy, unless… the money — like the grant Mr. Harris is eyeing — will improve transportation and help the folks at home . Or unless the money — like the $380 million the Defense Department plans to spend on local construction projects, as detailed in another Monday article — will boost employment and keep contractors busy… That’s exactly the kind of stimulus Okaloosa County has had, and has welcomed, for decades. Commission Chairman Harris’ endorsement of a road-building (and, he hopes, jobs-building) grant really represents nothing new.” [Northwest Florida Daily News, 1/7/10]

In Okaloosa, County Commission Chair Wayne Harris endorsed Recovery Act-funded road construction. “ ‘As a fiscal conservative, [Okaloosa County Commission Chairman Wayne] Harris said, he is not a fan of stimulus programs, but the money, which would be used to expand the State Road 85 corridor, can only help Okaloosa.’ We’ve been hearing a lot of that lately. Conservatives don’t like the idea of Washington spending mega-millions to create jobs and strengthen the nation’s wobbly economy, unless… the money — like the grant Mr. Harris is eyeing — will improve transportation and help the folks at home. Or unless the money — like the $380 million the Defense Department plans to spend on local construction projects, as detailed in another Monday article — will boost employment and keep contractors busy… That’s exactly the kind of stimulus Okaloosa County has had, and has welcomed, for decades.” [Northwest Florida Daily News, 1/7/10]

A Recovery Act grant awarded to Lee County will create 123 jobs and help fund a bio-diesel plant, solar panels, and a bike path. “Lee County was awarded $3 million in stimulus money from the Department of Energy for the county to become more energy efficient. A portion of the funds, $500,000 will go towards a bio-diesel plant to convert grease to fuel… A third of the money will go to synchronize traffic lights on Bonita Beach Road and Del Prado Boulevard. The idea is to keep drivers moving from one light to another. The money will also pay for solar panels, a bike path, even automatic light switches at some county buildings. The green projects will save the county an estimated 1 million kilowatt hours of energy every day. Going green also means creating 123 jobs.” [WZVN News, 1/5/10]

Thanks to the Recovery Act, work is set to begin on a repaving project in Brooksville. “The large portable sign is already up in front of Spring Hill Baptist Church at the corner of Linden Drive and Mariner Boulevard: Roadwork begins Jan. 4. Road crews will be out in force repaving Mariner from Maderia Street to Augustine Road... The road improvement project is one of about a dozen that will be paid for by federal stimulus money. The Mariner repaving is estimated to cost about $764,000, said County Engineer Charles Mixson. The others total more than $5 million and are in various stages of completion or preparation. The whole idea behind the stimulus money was to put people to work and these road projects have done just that, Mixson said… County Commissioner Dave Russell said the resurfacing projects came in at about half what was expected from initial estimates because of the competitive state of contracting in the marketplace and the lower cost of materials. The money saved not only allows the county to add a second tier of stimulus road resurfacing projects in the future, but also allows the county to direct money to other road projects, possibly for intersection improvements along County Line Road, Russell said.” [Hernando Today, 12/30/09]

The Recovery Act saved 18,042 education jobs and created 2,934 new education positions in Florida; in Lake County alone, stimulus funds created 76 new jobs and saved the jobs of about 300 classroom teachers and 10 teachers aides. “The federal-stimulus money Lake County schools received early this year saved hundreds of teaching jobs and created dozens of new positions, according to a report the school district filed with the state… A hunk of the roughly $30 million the district will receive through various pots of stimulus money went toward saving jobs. About 300 classroom teachers and 10 teachers aides were able to keep their posts. The district also created about 80 new positions — mostly literacy coaches, special-education teachers and ‘achievement’ liaisons, the report say. The district also hired its first homeless-project manager, whose job is to coordinate services for Lake's growing number of homeless students. Most of these new jobs were created as a way to beef up programs serving the area's poorest children as well as kids who are disabled or who are behind academically... Statewide, stimulus money helped save 18,042 education jobs in Florida. It also helped the state afford 2,934 new positions, according to a November report from the U.S. Department of Education. Here's a breakdown of most of the new positions created here in Lake: 7 family school liaisons for $288,000; 2 district-based instructional coaches for $94,000; 8 literacy coaches for $752,000; 1 homeless-project manager for $39,000; 35 special-education teachers for $2.8 million; 23 achievement liaisons for $1.7 million.” [Orlando Sentinel, 12/27/09]

Florida to receive Recovery Act funds to keep Homeless Assistance Programs in operation. “The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Wednesday announced nearly $1.4 billion in stimulus funding for 6,445 programs across the U.S. offering housing and services to homeless persons and families. The grants, awarded through HUD's Continuum of Care programs, will keep thousands of local homeless assistance programs in operation, a release said. Included in the funding is $4.3 million to nine agencies within the Tampa/Hillsborough County CoC, $3.6 million to 10 agencies within the St. Petersburg/ Clearwater/ Largo/Pinellas County CoC, $1.2 million to seven agencies within the Lakeland area CoC, $513,106 to four agencies within the Sarasota/Bradenton/Manatee, Sarasota Counties CoC, $223,734 to two agencies within the Pasco County CoC, and $78,143 to one agency within the Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Sumter Counties CoC. A total of $67.7 million is slated for Florida agencies. Earlier this year, HUD allocated an additional $1.5 billion through its new Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program.” [Tampa Bay Business Journal, 12/23/09]

Recovery Act funds “enable Florida lawmakers to avoid deep cuts to public schools.” “When the slumping economy put an estimated $6 billion shortfall between revenue and spending in the current state budget, Florida lawmakers looking for ways to avoid slashing education found a white knight in almost $1 billion of federal economic stimulus money. Education on the Treasure Coast got more than $60 million of it, according to a Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers review of spending in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The money is paying for local efforts as diverse as early learning programs for preschool children, creation of a library of natural ocean products at Florida Atlantic University/Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, and aid to researchers in discovering new medicines. But much of federal stimulus money being spent locally on education — almost $28 million — arrived through the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund program. It enabled Florida lawmakers to avoid deep cuts to public schools because of nose-diving property and sales tax revenues.” [TCPalm, 12/28/09]

Florida uses Recovery Act money for program aimed at putting jobless back to work. “Florida is participating in a new federal stimulus program aimed at putting jobless people back to work by subsidizing their pay and benefits through Sept. 20, 2010. The Florida Back to Work program will reimburse employers for up to 95 percent of a new worker's wages, benefits and training during that period. Cynthia Lorenzo, director of the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, said Thursday that it could create up to 25,000 jobs at an average hourly wage of $12. Workers must meet federal low-income guidelines and have at least one child under 18. Florida is eligible for up to $200 million in stimulus money for the program.” [Miami Herald, 12/24/09]

Recovery Act keeps 425,000 Floridians out of poverty. “Some 425,000 Floridians would have found themselves living in poverty had they not received assistance through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, according to a new study by the Washington, D.C.-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. ‘These are difficult times in Florida, but the Recovery Act has kept things from being much worse, as this study shows,’ said John C. Hall, executive director of the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy in Tallahassee, in a news release… The study pointed to the recovery act's increase in food stamp benefits, expansions of the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit; the new Making Work Pay tax credit; extra weeks of unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed and an increase of $25 in jobless benefits; and a one-time payment to many elderly people, veterans and people with disabilities. ‘These provisions not only give the economy a lift, but also put money in the pockets and food on the tables of hundreds of thousands of Floridians, helping them survive during tough times,’ Hall said… Nationwide, the report said the Recovery Act has kept more than 6 million Americans out of poverty and has reduced the severity of poverty for an additional 33 million.” [Tampa Bay Business Journal, 12/7/09]

Recovery Act-funded weatherization assistance program will create 20 jobs. “Capital Area Community Action Agency and Workforce Plus have joined together to create 20 new jobs in the community. Dorothy Inman-Johnson, Capital Area Community Action Agency executive director made the announcement during a news conference Wednesday at the Florida Press Center. Inman-Johnson said the 20 new positions were created through the Capital Area Community Action Agency's Weatherization Assistance Program. The program offered an 80-hour certification course and on-the-job training in the field. At the end of the course a meet and greet session is set up where the participants can meet with local contractors and interview for jobs. The $800 course was free for all participants. The agency is using stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to fund the project… So far the project has been a success with the workers starting their jobs in November.” [Tallahassee Democrat, 12/17/09]

Tampa Family Health Centers will use Recovery Act funding to build a 18,000-square-foot clinic with medical, dental and pharmacy services; 15 construction jobs and 22 medical-related jobs will be created. “The most recent round of stimulus awards for health centers will send nearly $6.7 million to the Tampa Bay area. Tampa Family Health Centers Inc. will receive a $2.9 million grant and Suncoast Community Health Centers Inc. in Ruskin will receive a $3.8 million grant through the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services... TFHC will use the $2.9 million award to build a 18,000-square-foot clinic with medical, dental and pharmacy services on North Dale Mabry Highway near University Community Hospital, which will support at least 15 construction jobs and 22 medical-related jobs, a release said. TFHC awarded a contract to the Murray Co. of Clearwater and hopes to complete construction in about four to six months, said Edward Kucher, director of finance for TFHC… SCHC received $541,000 and TFHC received $604,225 when HHS awarded $338 million in Increased Demand for Services grants to health centers in late March.” [Tampa Bay Business Journal, 12/10/09]

Episcopal Children’s Services will use Recovery Act money to administer Early Head Start Services in three Florida counties. “Episcopal Children’s Services will receive $3.7 million in federal stimulus money to administer Early Head Start services in Duval, Clay and Baker counties. Early Head Start is a federally funded, community-based program that serves low-income families with infants and toddlers, and pregnant women, and this is the first time it will be offered in Duval County. The grant from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families will enable ECS to open new Early Head Start sites in Duval County and serve more children in existing ECS-run Early Head Start and Head Start sites in Baker and Clay counties… ‘We know that starting early with children makes a difference in their later success in life; with these new federal Head Start dollars, we will be able to make an even bigger impact in these counties.’ Episcopal Children’s Services is the largest not-for-profit, child-focused organization serving children from birth to age 5 in Northeast Florida.” [Jacksonville Business Journal, 12/8/09]

Edgewater will use Recovery Act forgivable loan for the construction of water supply and storage projects. “Water projects in the city of Edgewater will get a funding boost through federal stimulus dollars. The city applied to the Department of Environmental Protection for a roughly $2.28 million loan to fund construction of water supply and storage projects. Most of the loan principal, however, would be forgiven through stimulus funding. The city is eligible for 85 percent principal forgiveness on the loan because its low per-capita income qualifies it as ‘disadvantaged community,’ said Brenda Dewees, director of Environmental Services... The lowest bid to build four water supply wells came in at about $900,000 Tuesday, Dewees said, which means the city will only have to pay the difference of $135,000 on the loan… The new station will ensure water supply, pressure and adequate amounts of chlorine for southeast Edgewater and unincorporated parts of the city, future service connections and Oak Hill.” [News Journal, 12/4/09]

Burnham Institute for Medical Research (BIMR) will use Recovery Act fund to study the molecular foundation of bipolar disorder. “A Recovery Act limited funding Grand Opportunities (GO) grant from the National Institutes of Mental Health, which ‘support high impact ideas…that accelerate critical breakthroughs, early and applied research on cutting-edge technologies, and new approaches,’ has been awarded to a Burnham Institute for Medical Research (BIMR) team for the study of the molecular foundation of bipolar disorder. The researchers, headed by Dr. Evan Snyder, will use some of the latest technology to convert skin cell samples from bipolar patients with varying degrees of lithium responsiveness, to brain cells… Since the resulting brain cells carry with them the molecular fingerprint of the original donor, they can be analyzed for function and regulation. The proteomic and phosphoproteomic results will be shared with other investigators as well, and lay the groundwork for further study of bipolar and other neuropsychiatric disorders, thereby satisfying another objective of the GO grant — the sharing of information.” [Behavioral Health Central, 12/2/09]

Tampa Bay Research center will use Recovery Act grants to study cancer, develop infrastructure to provide doctors with health information. “The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute was awarded nearly $19 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The grants awarded include a $4 million ‘Grand Opportunities’ grant to study patient-centered outcomes research, a release said…. Moffitt, [a Tampa-based institution designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute],will focus on providing physicians and researchers access to health-related information for large populations of cancer patient in order to improve outcomes, develop best practices and raise the overall standard of cancer care throughout the United States, the release said. Moffitt already has 44,000 patients and 17 health care providers in nine states that participate in its research protocol, and the Grand Opportunities grant will allow Moffitt to further develop the infrastructure, said Dr. William Dalton, CEO of Moffitt... Other grants awarded to Moffitt researchers include: $2.1 million to Srikumar Chellappan to examine the role of the human gene ID1 in the progression of non-small-cell lung cancer. $2 million to David Fenstermacher to establish a health information system. $1.8 million to Dr. Robert Gatenby to use advanced imaging methods and mathematical models to look at tumor development and growth. $1.2 million to Dr. Daniel Sullivan, Dr. Hatem Soliman and Scott Antonia to perform a Phase I/II trial of a potential vaccine for breast cancer. Eighteen other Moffitt researchers received smaller grants.” [Tampa Bay Business Journal, 11/19/09]

Miami and San Francisco Researchers will use stimulus funds to partner on HIV Prevention Investigation, a project which will create 47 jobs and retain 52 jobs. “Public health experts encourage everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 to be HIV tested. Researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and the San Francisco Department of Public Health will determine whether receiving a rapid HIV test and counseling offers healthier outcomes than rapid testing alone, with a $12.3 million grant awarded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act… This Recovery Act-funded grant will provide the scientific evidence needed to guide decisions on the benefit of prevention counseling for those who test negative… Researchers will also measure reduction of risky sexual behaviors and substance use during sex after a six month period, and cost-effectiveness of counseling and testing. ‘This is a good example of how Recovery Act funding will not only advance knowledge in a high priority area of public health, but also provide jobs to researchers,’ said NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins… The study meets the goals of the Recovery Act in providing economic benefits by creating 47 new positions and retaining 52 positions at public health clinics, universities, and research centers in multiple states, including many of those hit hardest by the recession.” [NIH Release, 11/19/09]

Moffitt Cancer Center awarded Recovery Act grants for patient-centered outcomes research. “Moffitt Cancer Center has been awarded nearly $19 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, including a prestigious Grand Opportunities grant to study patient-centered outcomes research. Moffitt was also selected by the National Cancer Institute as one of 12 institutions nationwide to serve as Physical Science-Oncology Centers to advance the use of physics, mathematics and related disciplines to study the development of cancer. ‘Funding from the Recovery Act allows us to move forward more quickly on a variety of fronts, accelerating the process of translating scientific discoveries into more effective patient care… Moffitt's $4 million Grand Opportunities grant is one of only seven in the nation awarded for patient-centered outcomes research in personalized medicine. Moffitt's work in this area is focused on providing physicians and researchers access to health-related information for large populations of cancer patients, thereby improving outcomes, developing best practices and raising the overall standard of cancer care throughout the United States. ‘As part of our Total Cancer Care research protocol, with over 44,000 patients consented to participate to-date, and an innovative framework that includes a Consortium of 17 health care providers in 9 states we have established a unique working model for patient-centered outcomes research,’ Dalton said.” [PR Newswire, 11/19/09]

Recovery Act-funded project in Florida will help replace two aging water tanks at a main water plant which delivers water to more than 11,000 homes and businesses. “The City Commission on Thursday approved two water projects totaling $2.3 million that will be financed almost entirely by federal stimulus money… The larger $1.4 million project will replace two 500,000-gallon water tanks at the city's main water plant, said Public Works Director Mike Stripling… The current tanks, built in 1965, are near the end of their useful lives, he said. They store water after it is pumped up from the aquifer but before delivery to more than 11,000 homes and businesses served by the municipal water system… The Crom Corp. of Gainesville won the contact and could begin the four-month project as early as January, Stripling said… The second $913,237 project will build a new water line to about 50 residences in the northeast part of the water utility's service area, he said. Those residences have private wells that have water-quality issues, Stripling said. That contract was awarded to Gulf Coast Boring and Pipeline in Lakeland after problems surfaced with the bid documents submitted by the low bidder, Prince Land Services of Haines City. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly known as the federal stimulus bill, passed earlier this year will finance more than 90 percent of both projects, Stripling said.” [The Ledger, 11/19/09]

In Florida, Recovery Act will boost energy projects and provide rebates for those who buy hybrid conversion kits for cars. “Florida was awarded $30.4 million of economic-stimulus money on Tuesday to boost energy projects and to hand out rebates for those who buy hybrid conversion kits for cars. Some South Florida cities already have received clean-energy awards: $595,200 for Lauderhill; $500,300 for North Miami; $4,742,300 for Miami… The block grants announced on Tuesday are designed to help programs that lower energy use, reduce carbon pollution and create local ‘green’ jobs. Florida will dole out competitive grants to cities and counties while creating energy-efficient state buildings. The U.S. Department of Energy said the grants will help the state meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent by 2012. The state also plans to establish a program to provide rebates for buying hybrid plug-in electric conversion kits for cars. Converted vehicles are expected to be six times more fuel efficient than standard gasoline cars, achieving roughly 100 mpg and reducing oil consumption by up to 70 percent.” [Sun Sentinel, 11/17/09]

Recovery Act will create jobs by funding a “turtle tunnel” construction project that will help save the regional turtle population that is being killed on the road. “Matt Aresco has three and a half million reasons to smile. He's on a one man crusade to save turtles in North Florida and now has federal stimulus money to make it happen. ‘Turtles like to nest along the grassy shoulders of the road. They wander up to lay their eggs and they get hammered on the road,’ said Aresco. And thanks to federal stimulus money, Matt will get his wish in the form of a 3.4 million dollar stipend to build his dream tunnel. ‘I was driving on this, I found 90 dead turtles in one day along about a third of a mile stretch of highway,’ said Aresco. … Work is already underway on Highway 27. The hope is to build the tunnel as soon as possible. That means, jobs have been created and with unemployment at an all time high, on the surface, new jobs would be a good thing... ‘Call it a shell game or just a bump in the road, but there's no lack of opinion on the turtle tunnel. Despite the naysayers, Aresco still stands by his project and that's to save Florida's turtles, one shell at a time.” [ZooToo Pet News, Video, 11/2/09]

Recovery Act has funded technological upgrades to serve uninsured residents and Medicaid recipients in Florida and created 30,000 jobs. “Florida has gained or held onto 30,000 jobs as a result of federal stimulus spending. That's the latest from the federal Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, which tracks on-the-ground spending as the nation awaits results from the $787 billion economic stimulus effort. Locally, that's everything from $42,500 to help the Boys & Girls Club of Hernando County with mentoring to $24 million to make Tampa public housing more environmentally efficient… In Pasco, that includes 12 jobs so far made possible by $1.6 million given to Pasco-Hernando Community College. The grants also include more than $14 million for Hernando public schools, which can fund teacher positions and better serve disabled children. More than $1.1 million has been granted to the Suncoast Community Health Centers in Riverview for technological upgrades to serve uninsured residents and Medicaid recipients. An additional $15 million is going to the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit organization, to buy buses, paratransit vans and other equipment. In Brooksville, Vice Mayor Lara Bradburn was happy to hear the city is getting $2 million for projects. ‘That is for water and sewer lines, many in south Brooksville,’ she said, referring to an area that needs infrastructure improvements.” [St. Petersburg Times, 10/31/09]

In Marion County, Recovery Act funding will provide emergency assistance to acquire and redevelop foreclosed properties and provide financial assistance to prevent families from becoming homeless. “How much of this money will be seen in Ocala, and how is the government stimulus affecting Marion County?… Of the reported a total of 344 contracts totaling in $356,828,016 that created or saved 1,635 jobs. Ocala has reported two contracts so far, totaling in $772,631 and the creation of three jobs. The two reported contracts in Ocala were from F & J Specialty Products, Inc. and the Ocala Housing Authority… Ocala also benefited from the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. Marion County will receive a one-time grant of $6,324,055 to provide targeted emergency assistance to acquire and redevelop foreclosed properties. Marion County will also receive a one-time grant of $727,072 to provide financial assistance and services to either prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless or to help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly rehoused and stabilized. Additionally, a special additional allocation of $475,454 was authorized through ARRA for the Community Development Block Grants to carry out, on an expedited basis, eligible activities under the CDBG program.” [Ocala Star-Banner, 10/29/09]

Florida Power and Light Co. will install more than 2.6 million smart meters, 9,000 intelligent distribution devices, 45 phasors and advanced monitoring equipment using Recovery Act funding. “Florida Power & Light Co. will receive $200 million in federal stimulus funding as part of a $3.4 billion package announced by President Obama Tuesday that is being called the largest single energy grid modernization investment in American history. The funding will pay for about 40 percent of FP&L’s $578 million Energy Smart Florida project that will advance implementation of the Smart Grid, including installing more than 2.6 million smart meters, 9,000 intelligent distribution devices, 45 phasors and advanced monitoring equipment in more than 270 substations… The national program, called the Smart Grid Investment Grant, will create a public-private investment of $8 billion, and could create tens of thousands of jobs and benefit consumers of electric utilities in 49 states. The Electric Power Research Institute says that the implementation of the technologies funded by this grant programs could reduce electricity use nationwide by 4 percent before 2030, creating a savings of $20.4 billion for businesses and consumers around the country, and $1.6 billion for Florida alone.” [Tampa Bay Business Journal, 10/29/09]

Pinellas County will use Recovery Act funding to allow its mobile medical unit to provide more preventative health care for low-income residents and create 32 jobs for a Homeless Emergency Project’s Community Service Center. “As of Oct. 19, Pinellas received six grants: Health and Human Services: Replace Mobile Medical Unit with a more capable vehicle. The Mobile Medical Unit provides preventative health care to indigent residents. This grant allows the department of Health and Human Services the opportunity to purchase a larger vehicle equipped with more advanced medical equipment... This grant allowed for the creation of one paid position. Airport – Terminal improvements and renovations. This grant allows the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport to conduct renovations and upgrades at the terminal. This grant estimates the creation of 44 paid positions. Community Development – Short-term rental assistance for at-risk residents…This grant will be used for the creation of the Homeless Emergency Project’s Community Service Center. It is anticipated a total of 32 jobs will be created: 22 construction jobs and 10 others once the service center is completed.” [The Weekly Challenger, 10/22/09]

The Recovery Act has created nearly 650 jobs and helped retain more than 3,000 jobs in Broward and Palm Beach counties alone. “In South Florida, the stimulus has undoubtedly saved jobs, especially in education… While no one knows the exact number of jobs, defenders say the impact is significant. ‘We would be roughly at a million fewer jobs today if not for the stimulus,’' said economist Mark Zandi, of Moody's Economy.com…For some in South Florida, the stimulus money has paid off. Michael Noye lost his teacher aide job this year, but was rehired as a hall monitor at Coral Reef Elementary School in Lake Worth. While he misses the classroom, ‘I feel what I'm doing is really important,’ he said. In South Florida, more jobs have been retained than created so far, according to a Sun Sentinel review of job creation at 14 state agencies. The informal review found nearly 650 jobs created, and more than 3,000 retained in Broward and Palm Beach counties. But that only accounts for stimulus money funneled through the state. Other funds are channeled through federal agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services, which contributed $1.3 million in stimulus funds to open a new community health center in West Park, near Hallandale Beach.” [Miami Herald, 10/13/09]

44 jobs have been created for workers at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. “If you drive through the parking lot at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, you'll spot a lot of orange. That's because construction is happening all around the airport. ‘Roofs, doors, elevators, baggage conveyors, mill work and some new tile,’ said Noah Lagos, airport director, describing what all of the construction work will ultimately mean for passengers. The work is being paid for as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Federal Aviation Administration gave the airport $5.3 million from stimulus money to fund the project’… According to an airport spokesman, the work has created 44 jobs that will last a total of nine months.” [ABC Action News, 10/13/09]

The Manatee County School District will use a $31.5 million Recovery Act allocation to save as many as 250 teachers’ jobs. “The Manatee County School District received about $31.5 million in federal stimulus money this fall, to be spent by Sept. 30, 2011. The funds have allowed the district to more than double the number of Title I schools and add more employees in the Exceptional Student Education program. But the biggest chunk — more than $14.1 million — is going toward personnel to keep peoples’ jobs afloat, says Jim Drake, district assistant superintendent of finances. Without the stimulus, as many as 250 teachers could have lost their jobs in the district.” [Bradenton Herald, 10/4/09]

The University of Florida will use $29.5 million in Recovery Act funds to study whether exercise prevents disability in older adults. “The University of Florida will receive $29.5 million in federal stimulus funds over the next two years from the National Institute on Aging to begin a six-year study on whether a program of structured physical activity can prevent or delay major movement disability in older adults. When completed, funding for the project is expected to total more than $60 million from the NIA, including the $29.5 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The total will amount to the largest federal award to UF, as well as fund the largest study to prevent mobility disability in seniors… In addition, the project will allow an assessment of the cost effectiveness of walking programs for the elderly, and whether the money spent on such programs can help reduce medical expenses for injuries and illness that might otherwise result from lack of adequate physical activity.” [Medical News Today, 10/3/09]

Thanks to Recovery Act funding, Grand Lagoon Bridge project is set to bring up to 500 jobs to the local economy and boost waterfront investment. “Construction of the new Grand Lagoon Bridge should bring needed jobs to the community and boost investment along the beach, officials said at Thursday’s groundbreaking. Stephanie Kopelousos, Florida’s Department of Transportation secretary, said the new $15 million bridge, funded through 2009 stimulus funds and federal grants, will bring 500 jobs to a local economy in need of a shot in the arm. ‘We believe in our infrastructure,’ Kopelousos said during a ceremony at Captain Anderson’s Restaurant attended by about 100 people. ‘Part of this money was meant to create jobs and stimulate the economy.’” [Panama City News Herald, 10/1/09]

With Recovery Act funding, Hialeah expects to create hundreds of jobs, mostly in construction. “ Realistically, Robaina only expected $6 million, though the city was awarded double that to spend on new roads, storm-water drains, city buses and police cars. Below are details on some of the projects for which Hialeah received dollars: $5,165,124 to resurface the roads, add new drains, improve street lighting and landscaping, build sidewalks and carve additional turn lanes…. Robaina expects these projects to create approximately 500 new jobs… $1,734,021 to use on the Homeless Prevention Rapid Re-Housing Program, through which individuals and families receive a one-time rental assistance, payment of security deposits or utility payments as they work toward becoming self-sufficient… Plans are to use a portion of the money to build a 33-unit affordable rental housing facility at 525 West First Avenue. The project should create 50 new jobs. The rest, or about $1.3 million, would go toward redeveloping abandoned or foreclosed homes. Hialeah received an additional $6.5 million from the federal government that was not included in Obama's 2009 American Recovery Reinvestment Act.” [The Miami Herald, 10/1/09]

Thanks to Recovery Act funding, the University of Central Florida will help nonprofits better assist low-income residents with job training. “The University of Central Florida has been awarded $1 million in stimulus money for a new federal program aimed at helping nonprofits better assist low-income people with job training and other economic recovery activities. LEAD Brevard Inc., a Cocoa-based organization focused on leadership development and citizen engagement, also was awarded a $249,915 grant through the program. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services awarded $46 million on Sept. 30 to 84 grantees under a new program, the Strengthening Communities Fund, created by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act… The Strengthening Communities Fund was created to boost the ability of community and faith-based organizations to handle economic recovery issues in their communities, including job training and retention and access to state and Federal benefits.” [Orlando Business Journal, 9/30/08]

Leon County schools will use a $24 million Recovery Act allocation to save jobs. “Nearly 24 million dollars came through the legislature to the Leon County School District. This money is saving jobs and preserving the high quality of education. While this money helped to close a huge budget hole this year, some are worried about what will happen when this money is no longer available.” [WCTV, 9/28/09]

Recovery Act funding will help parents improve job skills and keep child care subsidies. “ Thanks to federal stimulus funds, parents who are retraining to move up or because they were laid off can now get child care subsidies. So can the unemployed who are looking for work. The coalition's board of directors budgeted $700,000 to be used for 250 child care slots. The first program provides child care services for clients who are enrolled in stimulus-funded training programs through Career Central… The second program stems from a new state rule offering child care services to clients who are not currently working but receiving unemployment compensation. Child care is permitted to be approved in 30-day intervals only… The new programs will enable parents to search for jobs unencumbered by youngsters.” [St. Petersburg Times, 9/28/09]

$8 million in Recovery Act funding will help Florida target wildfire risk. “Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today announced that his department has received $8 million in federal stimulus grants to minimize the state's wildfire risk and restore longleaf pine ecosystems. The department is receiving $6.28 million to develop three hazard fuel burn teams, contract with outside companies to reduce hazardous vegetation buildup and hire companies to assist in the department's longstanding ‘Firewise’ program in an effort to teach homeowners on how to protect their houses from fire... Bronson said the project is designed to minimize Florida's wildfire threat by decreasing the density of vegetation by using proven land management techniques, including prescribed burning and mechanical methods such as roller chopping, mulching and mowing” [Pensacola News Journal, 9/25/09]

Eight public universities in Florida will benefit from a total of $33 million in Recovery Act grants. “About $33.7 million in federal stimulus dollars has been awarded to eight public universities in Florida courtesy of grants from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. The University of Florida has been awarded the lion's share of the grant money, $19.1 million. Florida State University has received $7.9 million, The University of Central Florida received about $3 million and USF received $2.4 million. Florida A&M University has been awarded $257,306, according to documentation from the State University System. University officials have requested a total of more than $982 million from the federal government.” [The Tallahassee Democrat, 9/24/09]

$50 million in Recovery Act funding goes to saving the jobs of 900 Brevard County teachers. “The jobs of 900 teachers were saved in Brevard County public schools including 37 teachers who instruct students with disabilities or special needs, others who work with the poorest kids in the district and still other teachers in schools from Titusville to Palm Bay, allowing administrators to keep class sizes small to enhance learning. Some $50 million of the $787 billion from the Recovery Act went to Brevard Public Schools, where children are continuing to learn because teachers are in the classroom and not in the unemployment line, where 10.8 percent of Brevard workers are now standing. There’s no doubt the figure would be higher without the stimulus, which in turn would have further worsened Brevard’s economy with its contagion of more foreclosed homes, more lost health insurance and more trouble putting food on the table...” [Florida Today, Editorial, 9/23/09]

Staffing and training in the health sector continues to expand, thanks in part to a boost from the Recovery Act. “While most other industries have been losing jobs, health care continues to add them. In Florida, staffing at hospitals have [sic] increased by 8,000 jobs and health-care services by 4,200 in July from a year ago. Linda Quick, director of the South Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association, surveys hospitals and other health-care providers to find their greatest employee needs. Training is then geared toward jobs that are available now and in the near future… We're not so much using the (stimulus) money to employ more people but to train people for employment that already exists,’ Quick says. This strategy eventually will create more jobs because ‘if you're training people for existing positions, you're leaving space for new people,’ adds Joyita Garg, who is working with Quick on coordinating stimulus funding for health care training in South Florida.” [San Luis Obispo Tribune, 9/22/09]

Recovery Act funds will be used to save and create a total of 53 teaching position, while training hundreds more to work with children with special needs. “The funds for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act – also known as IDEA – saved 37 positions and created 16. Altogether, the money should reach about 13,000 students. The district will receive another $8 million next year. As part of the funding, hundreds of teachers will receive training in dealing with students with limited abilities, said Eva Lewis, director of exceptional education. The money paid for additional exceptional education teachers, psychologists, behavior analysts, guidance counselors, reading teachers and a parent specialist. ” [Florida Today, 9/21/09]

$390,000 in Recovery Act money will go to save jobs in the Tampa Bay area art scene. “Out of billions that went to bolster things you'd expect, almost $50 million was budgeted for the National Endowment for the Arts. From there, $390,000 came to Florida, distributed through the state's Division of Cultural Affairs…St. Petersburg's Studio@620, a space for performing and visual arts, received $20,000. Creative Clay, an arts education center for the disabled, and Florida Craftsmen, a statewide fine art association based in St. Petersburg, each received $25,000. VSA arts of Florida, based in Hillsborough County, received $23,000. The money was for salaries. To save jobs.” [St. Petersburg Times, 9/20/09]

Tarpon Springs-based company won Recovery Act-funded contract to rehabilitate bridges in Arkansas. “Royal Bridge Inc. was awarded an $11.7 million federal contract for work on some dams and locks on the Arkansas River. The Tarpon Springs company will paint and rehabilitate 14 gates on the Arkansas River in Pulaski County and Little Rock, Ark. Project completion is scheduled in March 2012.” [Tampa Bay Business Journals, 9/15/09]

Recovery Act will create 200 jobs to staff Florida’s New Department Of Children And Families Call Center and maintenance projects. “The Florida Legislative Budget Commission on Tuesday voted to approve two area projects to receive nearly $6 million in federal stimulus money and put at least 200 people to work. One of the two projects is a new Florida Department of Children and Families telephone call center to be located in Marion County. The call center will be a one-year temporary project and employ about 75 people, said DCF Deputy Secretary Don Winstead... The second project will involve hiring people to work on Marion County and City of Ocala maintenance projects. Workforce Connection, a not-for-profit organization that works with DCF and the county in helping people retrain and look for work, will help select employees for the two new works projects. Skinner said the two programs are looking to hire workers from families that are at least 200 percent of the national poverty level and must have at least one child under the age of 18 living at home.” [Star-Banner, 9/16/05]

The Fort Myers Housing Authority will use $2.2 million in Recovery Act funds to build a new administration building. “The Fort Myers Housing Authority is spending $2.2 million in federal stimulus money on a brand new, 24,000 square foot administration building, NBC2 has learned. Administrators says the new building is needed because the old one is falling apart and staff is currently spread out among three buildings. The Fort Myers Housing Authority helps thousands of families find a place to live, including providing government housing to more than 600 families… Collins said using the stimulus money for a new administration building frees up other dollars for housing improvements, such as painting, renovations and drainage projects. NBC2 asked Collins if the biggest goals of the stimulus are to create jobs and stimulate the economy, did the administration building project fit that criteria? ‘Absolutely, it's going to get a lot of contractors to work that may not have other jobs right now,’ said Collins.” [WZVN, 9/16/09]

Using Recovery Act funds, Tampa Bay Housing Authority will create and sustain 180 local jobs as it improves energy efficiency in units. “The Tampa Housing Authority … announced that the $10.5 million it received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is at work on energy efficient modernization and large-scale capital improvements that are creating and sustaining more than 180 local jobs. Over 20 projects in total will be impacted by the $10.5 million in stimulus funds.” Rep. Castor: ”It's also critical that this money is going to improve the lives of so many of our neighbors by improving their homes. The Recovery Act is helping the housing authority alleviate the existing backlog of needed repairs and upgrades.” [Tampa Tribune, 9/15/09]

$4.4 billion in Recovery Act funds will provide a critical boost to Florida’s Medicaid Program and save tens of thousands of education jobs. “For all the debate about the federal stimulus program, of this Don Winstead is certain: Without the stimulus, Florida's budget problems would've been catastrophic. Winstead, who's overseeing implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in Florida, spoke Saturday at the University of South Florida. The stimulus money provided an additional $4.4 billion for Medicaid in Florida, allowing the state to divert some of the money it would have used for Medicaid to plug other holes in the budget. Meanwhile, the stimulus money may save tens of thousands of teacher and other education jobs, he estimates. Education initiatives in Florida are receiving some $4 billion. Among the recipients are USF, which is receiving about $15 million, and the USF medical school, which is getting just less than $5 million.” [Tampa Bay Online, 9/13/09]

Recovery Act money will fund a flu vaccine program for elementary-age children attending Hillsborough and Pinellas County public school. “Elementary-age children attending Hillsborough and Pinellas county public schools are eligible for a federal stimulus program that will pay to vaccinate children from seasonal flu. Also, statewide efforts are under way to provide the separate swine flu vaccine free of charge to all school-age children. [Tampa Bay Online, 9/13/09]

Recovery Act money brings green job training for 40 people in Jacksonville. “Solar Energy Initiatives is hoping to bring a little sunshine to Jacksonville’s Northside. The company announced today its partnership with three Jacksonville job training and placement agencies to help train unemployed workers to get ‘green’ jobs. The program is funded with $387,000 in federal stimulus money provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009…Reggie Gaffney, executive director of the Community Rehabilitation Center, said the trainees will learn how to install and maintain solar energy panels, which is a growing field. He said there’s plenty of demand for skilled workers in this trade, but not enough people have the proper training. Initially, he said the hope is that 40 workers will be trained for jobs that will pay on average $10 to $15 an hour…. City Councilman Johnny Gaffney, of District 7, said it’s important to create jobs that are in demand for the foreseeable future, such as green jobs. State Sen. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, said he believes this stimulus money should have a big impact on an area that really needs it.” [The Florida Times-Union, 09/09/09]

Recovery Act money creates nine jobs for Fort Myers police. “It's your money and millions of tax dollars are being pumped into the Fort Myers Police Department. This is really good news for the City of Fort Myers. Tuesday afternoon the city council agreed to take more than $2 million dollars in federal grant and stimulus money, which will be used to hire 9 more police officers. "We'll be able to a great number of things with those officers. More community policing," said Fort Myers Police Chief Doug Baker. The officers will be paid by a federal stimulus money totaling $2,307,312.00. The funding is enough to employ them for the next 3 years. The timing couldn't be better. ‘These are tough times. People are doing more jobs,’ Chief Doug Baker said. Budget cuts and buyouts has left the Fort Myers Police Department with 34 vacant positions. Those vacancies include 29 police officers and 5 supervisors. ‘The show still goes on. You have people that have to pick up additional responsibilities,’ Baker said.” [Wink News, 09/08/09]

The Opa-locka Police Department Will Be Able To Hire Three New Officers Thanks To Stimulus Funding. “The Opa-locka Police Department will be adding three new officers to its roster, thanks to a $335,774 federal grant. North Magnolia and Nile Gardens neighborhoods will benefit immediately, Interim City Manager Bryan Finnie said in an e-mail. That statement pleases Jannie Russell, a local community activist. ‘I have 25 kids who come from Niles Gardens,’ said Russell, director of Teen Upward Bound. ‘Their parents will greatly appreciate the additional officers on the streets. It's a positive thing anytime the department adds police officers to patrol the streets.’ Opa-locka is one of eight Miami-Dade municipalities that received more than $15 million federal funds, as part of President Barack Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009… As Opa-locka hires new officers, it also is looking to the past as well as the future to guard its streets. Some officers may soon patrol on bicycles or go back to old-school police methods: walking the beat.” [The Miami Herald, 9/5/09]

Recovery Act funds enabled Brevard County School Board to save jobs, backfill operating fund, and pay for special ed programs. “The Brevard County School Board approved an operating budget Thursday night that's down about 6 percent compared to last year because of slipping enrollment and dropping state revenue… Judy Preston, associate superintendent of financial services, said the board will have to remain fiscally conservative this year. ‘We've been directed by the commissioner of education to exercise caution and plan for unforeseen circumstances,’ Preston told the board. ‘But recent state financial conferences have been more optimistic.’ More than $50 million in special revenue from the stimulus plan helped save hundreds of jobs and some programs this year. That includes $25.6 million for low-income schools and students with disabilities, $24.8 million to fill the void in the operating fund, and $156,056 in competitive grant.” [Florida Today, 9/4/09]

Recovery Act money will fund the restoration St. Lucie Estuary’s oyster population, a project that will improve the area’s water quality. “Thirty million pounds of oyster shells are all bound for the bottom of the St. Lucie Estuary. It's a project to help restore one of the world's most diverse habitats. Oysters once thrived in the St. Lucie River, but most of the population disappeared in the last 50 years… The project is being funded entirely by federal stimulus dollars. A healthy oyster population makes for a healthy estuary. A single oyster can filter 20 to 50 gallons of water a day, and oyster reefs provide homes for more 300 species of invertebrates and fish. ‘When we think of grouper, snapper as just reef fish, they actually spend part of their life cycle in part of an estuary,’ says Mark Perry of the Florida Oceanographic Society. More fish means more tourism, more jobs and more money for the area.” [WPTV5, 9/3/09]

Recovery Act bond will pay for new plant in Palm Beach County, plant will employ up to 800 workers. “Palm Beach County commissioners today unanimously approved a $24 million bond issue for a Broward County cosmetics company that wants to build a plant in Palm Springs. Oxygen Development LLC plans to move from Deerfield Beach and employ up to 800 workers. The money for the bond issue comes from the county's share of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a federal stimulus package approved in February. Oxygen Development owns 16.5 acres of vacant land at 1525 S. Congress Ave. in Palm Springs, Village Manager Karl Umberger said. It will use the money to build a 300,000-square-foot plant to develop and make skin and hair products… The company would employ 350 to 400 employees when it first moves and plans to expand to 750 to 800 workers.” [Palm Beach Post, 9/1/09]

Gulf Marine Repair Corp. plans to hire back 100 of its employees and create 50 new jobs to handle a Recovery Act-funded dock expansion project. “The ship repairer intends to rehire more than 100 employees who had been laid off in recent months. In addition, 50 new jobs will be created to handle a dry dock expansion being financed by a $4,159,857 grant under the recent round of Marad small shipyard grants made under the Recovery Act. The shipyard had to reduce employment from 308 jobs in July 2008 to 140 last month, but prospects are looking up with new contracts over the next two fiscal quarters, company vice president Rick Watts told the Tampa Tribune… Three other Tampa shipyards are also getting Recovery Act funding… The other Tampa shipyards receiving grants are: International Ship and Marine Services, Inc. – $2,228,307 for dry dock life extension. International Ship is committed to adding to its current employee base of 231. Tampa Ship LLC – $2,270,172 for a panel line. Tampa Ship, with its 500 employees, is creating new jobs and is modernizing its shipyard. Riverhawk Marine, LLC – $1,290,246 for travelift and syncrolift control upgrades.” [MarineLog, 8/31/09]

The University of Florida will use Recovery Act funds to hire as many as 100 new professors. “The University of Florida will use $10 million in federal stimulus dollars to hire as many as 100 new professors and replenish its faculty ranks, which have shrunk during the past year after tens of millions in budget cuts. UF President Bernie Machen on Thursday told the faculty Senate during a meeting in Gainesville that new professors will be hired in the coming year and will help to offset the recent loss of 81 professors. The stimulus money will serve as a ‘bridge’ until higher undergraduate tuition rates that went into effect this week for Florida residents generate enough revenue to cover the new professors' salaries. Some colleges, like the University of South Florida, have used stimulus money to stave off layoffs. Some – including USF, Florida Gulf Coast University and Florida International University – are using it to hire new faculty, but none on as large a scale as UF…” [Miami Herald, 8/28/09]

South Florida Workforce Investment Board using Recovery Act money to assist low-income and unemployed residents with employment and training services. “The South Florida Workforce Investment Board (SFWIB) recently awarded an additional $8.6 million dollars in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding in an effort to better assist low-income and unemployed residents with employment and training services… Rick Beasley, Executive Director of the SFWIB said the additional allocation of stimulus training dollars is aimed to support a number of re-training and career development initiatives geared to assist the region’s displaced and unemployed residents. ‘These additional dollars are going to fund initiatives that support those who have lost their jobs, or have been negatively impacted as a result of the downturn in our region’s economy’” [South Florida Caribbean News, 8/27/09]

The Tampa Port Authority was awarded a Recovery Act grant to begin repairs on a major petroleum product unloading berth. “The Tampa Port Authority was awarded a $2.2-million grant from the federal economic stimulus package Tuesday to begin repairs on a major petroleum product unloading berth. The money will help replace a 550-foot steel bulkhead at Berth 230 in the Port of Tampa, where ships discharge much of the gasoline, fuel oil and jet fuel consumed in West and Central Florida. The project is the first phase of a $30-million project to rebuild the berth and a pier used by barges and tankers.” [St. Petersburg Times, 8/25/09]

Recovery Act funds saved the jobs of more than 2,800 teachers in the Tampa Bay region. “[V]isit Jen Stewart's classroom in Hernando County, and watch your federal dollars at work. The 39-year-old teacher has years of experience and valuable certification in special-needs education. Students, parents and her bosses love her. But they nearly lost her. Stewart is one of more than 2,800 teachers across the Tampa Bay region whose job has been saved by the $789 billion federal stimulus — for now. Without the cash infusion, local school officials say, the 2009-10 school year would have begun with massive layoffs and program cuts. And those budget problems could easily return in two years when the federal aid runs out. ‘I don't know how we would have been able to open schools without the stimulus money,’ said Pinellas County superintendent Julie Janssen… In Hillsborough County, 1,511 jobs were saved or created using nearly $150 million in stimulus money. Pinellas kept 792 teachers working, while Pasco protected 411 jobs and Hernando protected 175.” [St. Petersburg, 8/24/09]

The Escambia County Sheriff’s office will use Recovery Act funds to hire 20 new officers. “Escambia County commissioners Thursday approved use of federal stimulus money, adopted a new digital communication policy and decided to regulate gaming facilities. Commissioners voted to: Sign off on a $3.34 million federal stimulus grant for the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. The COPS Hiring Grant will be used to put 20 new officers on the streets, covering salary and benefits, for the next three years, said Derek Whidden, a grants coordinator for the sheriff's office. Commissioners approval of the grant means the county commits to funding the officers in the fourth year… The grant money is part of the $1 billion the Community Oriented Policing Services office is providing to agencies to hire and retain officers. The money is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.” [Pensacola News Journal, 8/21/09]

A Recovery Act-funded shipyard expansion project in Jacksonville is expected to create up to 300 new jobs. “A Downtown Jacksonville shipyard will use federal stimulus package funds to bankroll an expansion that will create up to 300 new jobs, nearly doubling its work force. North Florida Shipyards Inc.’s $7.5 million project involves buying a travel lift to bring ships out of the water for repair without using a dry dock, allowing the company to work on more than one ship at a time. The shipyard has weathered the recession well because ship repairs are required under various maritime rules and for insurance coverage, said Robert Wilson, the company’s vice president and chief financial officer… North Florida Shipyards received about $3.3 million for the purchase of the travel lift through the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration’s assistance to small shipyards program, which received a sizable stimulus injection. The company also plans to pay for the expansion by using $4 million worth of tax-exempt bonds available through the stimulus package. The bonds for projects within economically distressed zones will help pay for expanding the basin so that the travel lift will be able to scoop ships out of the water and bring them to land.” [Jacksonville Business Journal, 8/21/09]

Manatee County Area Transit will use Recovery Act funds to build a new park-and-ride lot, purchase new buses, and undertake security enhancements. “Manatee County Area Transit finally is getting $4.61 million in federal stimulus money it had been promised, and the agency doesn’t plan to waste time spending it. MCAT officials hope to ask county commissioners within weeks to begin spending it for a park-and-ride lot, new buses, security enhancements and other improvements, transit Director Ralf Heseler said… With it, MCAT hopes to buy land near the new Palmetto transit center where commuters can park their cars and ride buses or carpool to their jobs. Construction of the transit center is complete at Eighth Avenue West and 19th Street West… MCAT also plans to soon place orders for five replacement buses, but it will take up to 18 months for them to be delivered. The buses cost about $200,000 each. The county-operated bus system also plans to purchase and install security cameras and fencing at the Palmetto transit center and another one on 301 Boulevard. It also plans to improve disabled access at various bus stops and shelters countywide with the stimulus money.” [Bradenton Herald, 8/21/09]

Recovery Act funding enabled Escambia community clinics, satellite in Santa Rosa to treat 43% more patients, hire 10 more nurses, hire 20 construction workers to remodel clinic. “There's no question in Don Turner's mind that federal stimulus dollars are being put to good use. Turner is executive director of Escambia Community Clinics Inc., a nonprofit that serves more than 46,000 medically needy and uninsured patients a year in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The clinic received $2.3 million of stimulus money in the spring, and Turner said the money could not have come at a better time. ‘With the economy taking the downturn that it did, and with the loss of jobs in the local area, we've seen a significant increase in the need for our services,’ Turner said. He said patient count is up from 32,000 in 2007 to 47,000 in 2008, a 43 percent increase. The stimulus money will be used to hire additional physicians, nurses, social workers and other staffers… ‘It's intended to put people back to work. And in our case, we've created 10 new positions at our clinic in Pensacola and satellite clinic in Santa Rosa County.’ What's more, Turner noted the clinic's stimulus money includes a $701,000 grant to remodel its Palafox Street headquarters to provide more space for waiting patients and additional examination rooms. That remodeling job is expected to create up to 20 temporary jobs during the seven-month construction phase.” [Pensacola News Journal, 8/16/09]

Pensacola dentist was able to expand his office, hire four full-time staffers thanks to Recovery Act SBA Loan Program. “Small Business Administration loans made available through stimulus money have benefitted several local business people. Dr. Bryan Gerstenberg, a Pensacola dentist, received a $465,000 mortgage loan through the SBA and Hancock Bank this spring. He used the money to buy a larger office building, which gave him the room to add four full-time staff members. Gerstenberg said he had wanted to expand his practice for several years but could not get a loan with an interest rate and monthly payment he could afford. ‘We had run out of room, and my options were either move to a new building or make our existing office bigger,’ he said. ‘Adding on would have been a lot to go through and taken six to eight months. I just didn't want to go through that headache.’ In the spring, Gerstenberg's bank informed him that stimulus money could help underwrite a mortgage and bring down the interest rate on his SBA loan to an affordable level. ‘Essentially, it was good timing and a real blessing for me,’ Gerstenberg said. ‘I couldn't have done this without the stimulus money.’” [Pensacola News Journal, 8/16/09]

Largo Company won Recovery Act-funded contract for roadwork, project will start in september. “A general contractor has won a $12.7 million, stimulus-funded contract to add lanes to and reconstruct a Pasco County road. R.E. Purcell Construction Co. Inc. is set to begin the project at U.S. 41/S.R. 45 in September and wrap up in 2011, if all goes to plan. Purcell’s contract is one of just 16 stimulus-funded construction contracts awarded by the Florida Department of Transportation to date, and the only contract awarded to a Tampa Bay-owned company. A $13 million job is a nice size for Purcell, said Controller Larry Bane, who wishes FDOT would produce more projects companies of Purcell’s size could pursue.” [Tampa Bay Business Journal, 8/14/09]

Recovery Act SBA loan enabled Perdido Key couple to start a learning center, hire three or four teachers. “Mercedes and John Branigan were unable to get a conventional SBA loan to start their Big Lagoon Learning Center until the stimulus money was made available. They began researching SBA loans and discovered they could become eligible for special government-backed financing to start their school near Perdido Key. After receiving a $187,290 7A loan from the SBA, they're remodeling an existing building on Bauer Road to accommodate up to 80 preschool children. ‘We've very excited about getting the loan, and we're just hoping that it all works,’ she said. ‘We're going to have three or four teachers and we're hiring now.’” [Pensacola News Journal, 8/16/09]

Recovery Act expansion of Pell Grants enabled single mom to pay for college. “In Escambia County, most federal stimulus dollars allocated to date are being funneled through the U.S. Department of Education's Pell Grant program. The Pell Grant program is a post-secondary, educational federal grant program. The awards are based on financial need of students from low-income or poor families… University of West Florida student Ashley Burton of Fort Lauderdale took advantage of the additional Pell Grant money to attend summer school instead of returning home. The grant allowed her to cover expenses, buy books, and even pick up a used car for transportation. ‘The reason I've been able to come to UWF is because of Pell Grants,’ said Burton, a hospitality and resort major. Burton, starting her senior year this fall, said college would have been out of the question without the grant money. ‘I'm the only child of a single mother, and there's just no way my mom could help with my college expenses,’ she said. ‘I knew if I wanted to go to college, I would have to have financial help and work my way through. I decided I wouldn't let my financial challenges stop me from having my college experience.’” [Pensacola News Journal, 8/16/09]

Florida Atlantic University received Recovery Act funds to pursue numerous medical research projects. "Drunken mice, venomous sea snails, elderly turtles. It's not Aesop's fables. It's your federal stimulus dollars at work. The trio is part of a handful of Florida Atlantic University studies being paid for with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money from the National Institutes of Health. And while humorous at first blush, the research is probing the serious issues of treating alcoholism, turning poisonous venom into medicine, and studying what allows fresh water turtles to grow old without suffering cellular damage that leads to the very human afflictions of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease. A fourth stimulus-funded project at FAU is looking for ways to stop cataracts in aging eyes... 'This is not just wise for research, it's helping employ people in South Florida.'" [Palm Beach Post, 8/12/09]

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority used Recovery Act money to increase transportation accessibility to the disabled in the form of enhancements to stops and vehicles. "The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority was stimulated this year to the tune of $15.1 million, courtesy of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. That's a nice chunk of change in the fare box. The feds disbursed a total of $8.4 billion to sustain and advance the nation's roads, bridges and mass transit systems. HART earmarked its share for various capital purchases and construction projects. About half of the haul was set aside to upgrade its fleet of standard buses and vans equipped to transport disabled riders. The authority also slated $1 million to help fund its ongoing efforts to improve access for disabled people at bus stops, park-and-ride lots and transfer centers throughout the county." [South Shore News & Tribune, 8/12/09]

Recovery Act-supported construction of the Kay Freeman Health Center will address increasing demand for clinic services during downturn, improving the lives of the homeless in Tallahassee. "Joseph Christopher is uninsured, homeless and in need of medical care... So, Monday's opening of the Kay Freeman Health Center is going to make life a little easier for Christopher, as well the other 400 homeless people living at HOPE Community each year. The center is the vision of Freeman, former Big Bend Homeless Coalition executive director who served from 2002 until her death in 2008. 'If Kay was here today she would excitingly say 'we did it,' ' Big Bend Homeless Coalition board president Ron Garrison said. 'This is an integral part of the continuum of care of the homeless and what was missing was health care and now we have it.' The health center, a 1,400 square foot portable on the grounds, is a satellite office of the Bond Community Health Center and was made possible by federal stimulus money under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd, D-Monticello, who helped secure the money, joined several Tallahassee leaders for the ribbon-cutting ceremony." [Tallahassee Democrat, 8/10/09]

Polk County School District has capacity to sustain successful Head Start program thanks to Recovery Act cash. "Matti Friedt, director of preschool programs for the School District, who now oversees Head Start in Polk County, said the district will have the same number of Head Start sites to serve the same number of kids in 2009-10 as last year, but will be able to expand services. The federal Administration for Children and Families, which oversees Head Start, will give the district almost $6.9 million next year, the same amount as in 2009. However, the district will receive an additional $648,000 for Head Start from the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed earlier this year, Friedt said. About $130,000 of that money will be used to expand health services for the children, increasing a contract with the Polk County Health Department from $65,000 to about $191,000, she said. The extra services will include screening and treatment." [Lakeland Ledger, 8/9/09]

The Recovery Act's Re-Employment and Eligibility Assessment Initiative brings increased job attainment assistance to those on unemployment in Florida. "The U.S. Department of Labor has announced Florida as one of 25 states to receive a share of $26.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants for the Re-employment and Eligibility Assessment Initiative. Florida will receive $3,078,796 to provide unemployment compensation beneficiaries with additional assistance in finding jobs. The REA Initiative funds will provide for increased staffing at local One-Stop Career Centers to conduct in-person assessments of unemployed Floridians. These assessments will be used to determine which services and/or training are most beneficial for each customer, thus providing a more focused job search." [Tampa Tribune, 8/9/09]

Polk County School Board opted to use Recovery Act dollars to entice homeless teenagers to stay in school. "The Polk County School Board will soon use its share of the federal stimulus package to encourage homeless high school students to attend class. The one-year, $94,230 grant will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the U.S. legislative measure that directs federal money to public projects. The School Board plans to vote to accept the plan for ARRA funds at its meeting Tuesday. Polk County has about 1,950 homeless students this year, up from about 1,700 last year. A program is already in place to help those students, called the Hearth Project, run by director Dee Dee Wright . 'A large number high school of students need her services,' said Jerome Corbett, director of specialized services, at the School Board's most recent work session. Hearth Project officials will oversee the ARRA grant program. Among other plans for the federal money, one social worker will be hired for one year. The worker will encourage homeless young adults to enroll in high school, help homeless high-schoolers do well in class and teach them about the value of school attendance." [Winter Haven News Chief, 8/10/09]

Graceville obtained Recovery Act resources for rehabilitation of sewer collection system, seeing to cleanliness and efficiency. "The Department recently awarded $1.9 million to the city of Graceville for wastewater management. The funds, part of DEP's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Program, will fund the rehabilitation of the city's sewer collection system. The work is needed to keep excessive stormwater inflow and groundwater from leaking into the aged collection system. A DEP consent order requires the city to make the repairs to prevent further water quality violations. The funds awarded to the city of Graceville are a part of the approximately $212 million awarded to Florida from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to help local governments finance improvements to wastewater, stormwater and drinking water facilities essential to protecting public health and the environment across the state. Florida is one of the first states to have met all the requirements necessary to receive the full amount of ARRA funds to support both the CWSRF as well as the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)." [Foster Folly News, 8/10/09]

Pinellas Park Police Department will hire five new officers using Recovery Act funding. "The police department will get just over $1 million to pay for the hiring of five new officers. The cash will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. More than 1,040 police agencies in all 50 states will share $1 billion in grants under the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Recovery Program. Pinellas Park is only one of four cities in Pinellas County to receive the funding. The others are St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg and Tarpon Springs. The money comes at a time when government agencies are scraping by to meet budget demands in these hard economic times. Pinellas Park police, like other agencies, have instituted hiring freezes and cut back certain services. The grants go directly to the agencies that can use the money to hire new officers or rehire those that have been laid off or are scheduled to be furloughed due to economic challenges. Money has also been granted to tribal agencies with only the Seminole Tribe of Florida receiving funds in the Sunshine State. That agency will get $1.4 million to hire seven new officers." [Tampa Bay Newspapers, 8/6/09]

Pasco County will capitalize on Recovery Act Build America Bonds, providing money for water system upgrades and other projects. "Pasco County will be the first local government in the Tampa Bay area to sell bonds through the new Build America Bonds program created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The county government plans to sell $115.1 million in water and sewer system revenue bonds under the Build America program, which allows state and local government to issue taxable bonds as an alternative to tax-exempt bonds. The county also will sell $26.3 million in tax-exempt water and sewer system revenue bonds... The water and sewer system's service area encompasses unincorporated parts of Pasco County and obtains about 80 percent of its potable water supply from Tampa Bay water with the rest derived from its own groundwater sources. Some of the proceeds of the bond issue will be used to increase existing wastewater transmission capacity at one of the system's wastewater treatment plants, Fitch said." [Tampa Bay Business Journal, 8/6/09]

Broward Community and Family Health Centers built a new medical facility using stimulus funds. "Rosalyn Frazier, chief executive officer of Broward Community and Family Health Centers, found out in March that she would receive federal stimulus money to build a new center – and she had only four months to do it. ‘It's something we wanted to do for many years but never had the money,’ Frazier said. ‘Suddenly, we had $1.3 million and only 120 days to start seeing patients.’… The building, with eight examination rooms, an on-site lab, a conference room and health information management offices, is the third Broward location for the private, nonprofit member of the National Association of Community Health Centers. The money came from $2 billion allocated for community healthcare centers from the $700 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed into law Feb. 17." [Miami Herald, 8/1/09]

Washington County will use Recovery Act funds to help improve its water system. "The Town of Wausau has received $2,355.000 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to make improvements to the community's water system which is currently experiencing a 38 percent loss of water. Inadequate water pressure and water main leaks occurring in the system can mean low water pressure during fire events and also lead to water contamination, serious public safety and health risks. The $664,000 grant and $1,691,000 loan provided by USDA Rural Development will be used to replace deteriorating water lines which will correct the loss of water in the system, increase water pressure in the lines leading to improved fire flow protection, and alleviate risk of water contamination." [Foster Folly News, 8/2/09]

Recovery Act funded the creation of a job exploration program at South Fort Myers High; 100 young people gain jobs in Lee County. "The sounds of band saws, key strokes and practiced chest compressions have filled the halls of South Fort Myers High School this summer. But this isn’t your average summer school. Students at this school, as well as two others in Lee County and two schools in Collier County, are in the middle of a four-week career exploration program paid for through the federal economic stimulus plan passed in February. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law with the goal of saving and creating more than 3.5 million jobs over two years and reviving the renewable energy industry, among other goals. The Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board, which received $2.3 million to distribute among the five counties it oversees, partnered with the school district to offer the program in Lee County. Also in Lee County, the workforce board has helped place 100 people ages 16 to 24 in jobs, from doctors’ offices to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Florida. ‘The program is meant to give these youth a meaningful work experience, not just a summer job,’ said Carmen Woywod, youth program coordinator for the workforce board." [Naples Daily News, 7/26/09]

220 young people in Treasure Coast found employment through Recovery Act-backed summer youth employment program. "Elizabeth Hill is spending her summer working with the dogs at Pawprints of Vero Beach to prepare for the looming financial responsibilities of adulthood… Workforce Solutions, a Port St. Lucie-based workforce development agency, is using federal stimulus money to put money in the wallets and experience on the resumes of Hill and about 220 Treasure Coast youths currently enrolled in the summer employment program. Early this year, the agency received $4.8 million from the federal $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. A little less than $1.35 million of the money is being used for the Workforce Solutions youth programs, including the Summer Youth Employment Program and the expansion of an eight-week career program for younger children." [TCPalm, 7/25/09]

Monthly food stamp benefits will increase using Recovery Act funds; the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy estimates that over the next six months $380 million in economic activity will be generated by the increase. "More than 1.8 million Floridians will receive an increase in food stamps as part of the federal economic stimulus. That’s welcome news to the 31,502 Manatee County residents who depend upon food stamps to help them put food on the table. Food stamp benefits will go up by about $20 to $24 a person per month… The Department of Children and Families reported a food-stamp caseload of 2,109,102 statewide through June — 38.5 percent more than in June 2008… ‘This federal money will help Floridians put food on their tables and also boost our economy during this deep recession,’ said John C. Hall, executive director of the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, a nonprofit organization providing research on state economic policies affecting low- and moderate-income Floridians and small businesses. The group estimates $380 million in economic activity will be generated in the state from the food-stamp increase during the next six months." [Bradenton Herald, 7/23/09]

Recovery Act funds were targeted to repair Boca Raton Airport runway. "Boca Raton Airport will receive the third installment of federal stimulus money to repair its one and only runway. The U.S. Department of Transportation said Tuesday that it has awarded the airport $1.25 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Boca Raton Airport Authority previously received $2.8 million for phase one and two of the runway rehab, Airport Manager Ken Day said. The project was awarded to Delray Beach-based Hard Drive Construction." [South Florida Business Journal, 7/21/09]

University Of Miami "thrilled" with Recovery Act grant for attainment of new hurricane research. "The University of Miami's efforts to study the impact of hurricanes on buildings received a boost on Monday by way of a $15 million grant from the U.S. Commerce Department. The stimulus money grant -- the largest for the school in recent history -- will go toward the construction of a new, $48 million research facility at the UM's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science in Virginia Key, a place where scientists and researchers will now dissect hurricane-generated winds, waves and storm surges. The construction project already had $28 million in matching funds. ``We are thrilled with the prospect of this new research building, which will help us further investigate how hurricanes and other extreme weather phenomena affect our natural and man-made environment,'' said Dr. Roni Avissar, dean of the Rosenstiel School… Projects such as UM's ``provide a major boost to scientific research. ... and offer construction jobs to an area,'' said U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in a news release." [Miami Herald, 7/21/09]

Polk Museum will receive Recovery Act money for job creation. "Polk Museum of Art announced that it will receive an NEA Recovery Act grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The National Endowment for the Arts announced direct grants to 631 nonprofit arts groups, totaling $29.775 million as part of the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Polk Museum of Art will receive $50,000 to be used toward retention and employment of outreach teachers and guest artists during the economic downturn. [Winter Haven News Chief, 7/21/09]

Central Florida Workforce dispensed 3 educational scholarships to Orlando high school seniors by means of Recovery Act money. "Central Florida Workforce has awarded scholarships to three graduating high-school seniors from Lake County. Kerry-Ann Gayle of Leesburg High School, Ashley Jaramillo of East Ridge High School and Alexandra Manion of Mount Dora High School received $2,500, which can go toward college tuition, books and laptop expenses, said Kim Cornett, Central Florida Workforce public-information officer. The organization awarded $50,000 in scholarships to help 20 students from five counties pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, health, and math… Central Florida Workforce, an organization that connects employers and job seekers in the community, received $13.8 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The money will go toward scholarships, job-training classes and employment programs." [Orlando Sentinel, 7/20/09]

Port of Tampa will see several expansions and upgrades using several Recovery Act grants. "Three shipyards at the Port of Tampa will receive a total of $8.7 million through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act… Gulf Marine Repair got the biggest award: nearly $4.2 million for a dry dock expansion. Other recipients included Tampa Ship LLC ($2.3 million) for a new panel line and International Ship Repair & Marine Services ($2.2 million) to rebuild a floating dry dock. Riverhawk Marine of Tampa, a yacht repair yard on Rattlesnake Point near the Gandy Bridge, also was awarded $1.2 million to upgrade lift equipment." [St. Petersburg Times, 7/16/09]

Recovery Act funds targeted for implementation of four-phase Dunnellon wastewater management plan. "The city of Dunnellon was recently awarded $2.8 million to continue moving forward with plans to improve wastewater management. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection awarded the money as part of the $212 million it received from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009… According to the city's comprehensive plan, more than 90 percent of the sewer lines in the city are more than 25 years old. Officials hope to improve water quality by reducing the amount of harmful materials traveling into groundwater. One major way to accomplish this is removing septic tanks near the Rainbow River. ‘This is huge,’ Algiere said of the grant. ‘It certainly allows us to make the necessary infrastructure needed to better protect the environment.’" [Ocala Star-Banner, 7/17/09]

Recovery Act funds paid for a senior center that will serve more than 40 individuals, providing hot meals five days a week. "E. Douglas Beach, secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, previewed the new PARC Senior Center Wednesday, a congregate dining site for seniors with development disabilities. The center, located at 3190 Tyrone Blvd. N. in St. Petersburg, is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is a joint effort between PARC, Neighborly Care Network and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas Inc… The stimulus funds were awarded through the Area Agency on Aging." [Tampa Bay Business Journal, 7/15/09]

Taylor County school superintendent credited the creation of 12 teaching jobs to the Recovery Act. "Forty annual contract teachers have been appointed to Taylor County Schools for the upcoming year. Some of those vacant positions could've been scraped due to financial limitations… Twelve of the teaching positions will be funded through the county's portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which is part of the federal stimulus package. Superintendent Paul Dyal says if it weren't for that money, some of those vacant positions would've been cut altogether because of a strained budget. Dyal said, ‘For every salary that you cut, you're really cutting a face. In a small district, all those faces have a name. So, it's not been very pleasant.’" [WCTV – CBS, 7/13/09]

Recovery Act energy-efficient home improvements evident in Daytona Beach. "Feds announced in June that more than $50 million in stimulus dollars would go to Florida for energy efficiency and programs like weatherization, which helps low-income residents upgrade their homes with features like better insulation and air-conditioning for higher savings. More than $204 million has been allotted to 10 states – including Florida – for State Energy Programs under the Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009." [Daytona Beach News-Journal, 7/12/09]

Recovery Act funds saved 94 teaching jobs in the Highlands County school district. "Physical education teachers will make the cut, media specialists won't be laid off and reading teachers will have more chapters in the classroom, thanks to federal stimulus money that is saving 94 teaching positions in the Highlands County School District. ‘It would have been difficult to open the schools’ without it, Superintendent Wally Cox said recently at a school board workshop. The district cut about 67 positions last year, he said. In the general fund this year, about 82 positions are being cut. Next school year, the district is receiving millions of dollars in stimulus money from various sources. In total, stimulus funding is saving 69 regular teaching and 25 exceptional student education teaching positions." [Tampa Tribune, 7/10/09]

Recovery Act money expedited the cleanup of a toxic superfund site. "The last stockpile of dioxin-contaminated soil at the former Escambia Treating Co. was buried in a landfill at a ceremony celebrating the most recent milestone in the Superfund site cleanup… The $30 million project was expedited by an additional $2.5 million made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act… ‘Oftentimes you only hear the horror stories,’ said Wade, Clarinda Triangle Association president. ‘But we're excited about the future and we couldn't have asked for a better cleanup program. This is just glorious.’" [Pensacola News Journal, 7/9/09]

Recovery Act funds will allow the Holmes County school system to save the jobs of approximately 30 teachers. "Superintendent of Holmes County Schools, Gary Galloway, along with unanimous votes from School Board members, approved of using the over $1 million State Fiscal Stabilization Fund gained through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to save the jobs of approximately 30 teachers in the Holmes County school system." [Holmes County Times Advertiser, 7/7/09]

NOAA application of Recovery Act funds for coast clean-up is creating 57 jobs. "Federal stimulus money is paying for more than roads and bridges during this economic downturn. Ecological projects are part of the mix – and that bodes well for Florida. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration received $167 million in February from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and Florida will get a fair share of that money. The scope of the projects is reminiscent of work the Conservation Corps completed to stimulate the economy by creating jobs during the Great Depression. Those ''make-work'' projects had lasting value. Go to our national parks to witness the results of the Conservation Corps' work. They are a reminder of how integral our natural resources are to our economy and our social fabric. They're also an example of how something good can come out of hard times. So it should be with today's stimulus dollars." [Miami Herald, 7/7/09]

Rapid recovery component of Recovery Act has produced many job retraining success stories in Charlotte County. "Anxiety is a word 37-year-old Amy Skerlec has come to know all too well, especially during the past two years... But in May, a light at the end of the tunnel appeared. A financial assistance employee told Skerlec about a new program called Rapid Recovery, which is being offered through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Through the program, displaced and underemployed workers can go back to school for training in areas of great need, including health care, business, technology, public service and education. If accepted, a person could have their tuition, books, lab fees and required uniforms paid for during the duration of a program. With a 4.0 and her recent struggles, Skerlec was a perfect candidate." [Charlotte Sun, 7/7/09]

$2.8 Million from Recovery Act allowed for Dunnellon to streamline wastewater treatment. "The Florida Department of Environmental Protection awarded $2.8 million to the City of Dunnellon to upgrade and expand the city's existing wastewater treatment facilities with improved technology to remove nutrients, which will result in cleaner water being used at the city's sprayfield. The project will reduce the amount of nutrients and pathogens going into the groundwater by removing septic tanks near the Rainbow River. The funds are part of the DEP's Clean Water Revolving Fund Program and were awarded to Dunnellon from the roughly $212 million given to Florida from President Barack Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009." [Ocala Star-Banner, 7/6/09]

Brevard and Volusia Counties allotted $2.7 million from Recovery Act to restore 30 acres of coastline. "The St. Johns River Water Management District will receive $2.7 million in stimulus funds for coastal restoration projects in Brevard and Volusia counties… The purpose of the funding is to ‘create jobs; restore damaged wetlands, shellfish beds and coral reefs; and re-open fish passages that boost the health and resiliency of the nation’s coastal and Great Lakes communities.’" [Orlando Business Journal, 7/6/09]

Recovery Act financed extended unemployment compensation benefits scheduled to begin in Florida, aiding 250,000 disenfranchised workforce members. "Payments began Thursday and will be retroactive to Feb. 22 for eligible Floridians. The initial retroactive payments may be as high as $5,100 for some people, with additional payments of as much as $300 a week for up to a total of 20 weeks." Agency for Workforce Innovation Director: "Extended Benefits will provide financial support to an estimated 250,000 Floridians who have exhausted all other unemployment compensation. As we assist Floridians in finding new jobs, these funds provide an additional safety net to our customers and their families while also reinvigorating our state's economy with the infusion of an estimated $418 million in federal recovery funds." [Tampa Tribune, 7/6/09]

Florida has amassed over $15 billion in Recovery Act funds, expected to save or create 206,000 jobs. "Florida's share of federal stimulus money — more than $15 billion — that is intended to brighten the Sunshine State's gloomy economy is already starting to go to work. The first projects out of the gate are mostly for road and airport construction work already approved by local governments and classified as ‘shovel ready.’ For instance: a $5.6 million contract for ramp improvements at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The rest of Florida's federal money will flow over the next two years… Florida is expected to save or create 206,000 jobs, ranking fourth after New York, Texas and California." [South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 7/5/09]

Marianna Fire Department will receive $100,000 in Recovery Act funds. "The Marianna Fire Department got word Wednesday that it will soon receive a brand new fire engine and rescue truck. ‘We’re very excited about it,’ Marianna fire Chief Byron Bennett said. Bennett said he got a phone call Wednesday from Sen. Bill Nelson, congratulating Bennett on his department’s award of $100,000 in federal stimulus money and $216,000 in low-interest loans. The money will be used to purchase the two new trucks. The funding was made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. [Jackson County Floridan, 7/3/09]

Recovery Act directed approximately $6 million to central Florida health clinics to expedite creation of electronic record system and make other improvements. "Central Florida community health centers received almost $6 million in federal grants this week to repair facilities, buy new equipment and implement electronic medical record-keeping. The grants come at an especially pressing time for these community centers, which have experienced increased use by area residents but decreased funding. At the Health Care Center for the Homeless — one of six Central Florida grant recipients — fundraising was down 40 percent from last year, while demand for services had increased by 28 percent. ‘Prior to receiving this, we were planning on reducing work staff,’ said Bakari Burns, executive officer. ‘The grant is almost like a godsend.’ On Monday, first lady Michelle Obama announced the disbursement of $851 million of the $2 billion promised to community health centers across the country as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act." [Orlando Sentinel, 7/2/09]

Indian River Lagoon will get Recovery Act funds for restoring marshes. "The Indian River Lagoon will get a $6.7 million federal stimulus, of which $1.1 million will go toward restoring marshes in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge… The money is intended to create jobs; restore damaged wetlands, shellfish beds and coral reefs; and to reopen fish passages that boost the health of coastal and Great Lakes communities, federal officials said." [Florida Today, 6/30/09]

Nature Conservancy awarded Recovery Act grant to expand offshore coral nurseries. "The ailing coral reefs of South Florida have received a rare piece of good news: The Obama administration has announced a series of economic stimulus grants that includes $3.3 million for offshore nurseries to help young corals grow. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Tuesday awarded the money to The Nature Conservancy to expand offshore coral nurseries in Broward County, Biscayne National Park and the Keys, as well as to create new nurseries in the Keys and the U.S. Virgin Islands." [Sun Sentinel, 6/30/09]

Recovery Act funds will be used for wetland restoration at the North Peninsula State Recreation Area. "At North Peninsula, about 30 acres of salt marsh, which had been filled with dredged sand and spoils, will be restored and the improvements to the marsh will also improve the tidal water flow for an additional 30 acres of saltmarsh. The project also includes removing 12 miles of dikes in the coastal wetlands at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Brevard County. The dike removal will restore about 105 acres of wetlands and will improve the water flow for 900 additional acres of wetlands." [Orlando Sentinel, 6/30/09]

$2 million in Recovery Act funds sent to Miami-Dade County to curb emissions of 300 irrigation pump engines. "The new engines will substantially reduce diesel emissions into the air and increase fuel efficiency, according to an EPA news release. The money is being provided under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act’s National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program… More than 11 million diesel engines in operation today do not meet EPA’s new clean diesel standards, according to the agency’s Web site. Diesel engines emit large amounts of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and air toxics, which contribute to serious public health problems." [South Florida Business Journal, 6/29/09]

$342,000 Recovery Act procurement strengthened Florida aquaculture industry. "The cost of fish farming in Florida isn’t mere chicken feed. Feed prices for many aquaculture businesses – most of them centered in the Tampa Bay area — soared last year, taking a toll on farmers already trying to cope with market changes. Now, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is providing some relief. Florida has been allocated nearly $342,000 under the act as the state’s portion of $50 million in feed stimulus funding. The state ranks seventh with aquaculture sales of $61.3 million in 2005, the latest year for which there are market statistics." [Tampa Bay Business Journal, 6/29/09]

DeSoto, Hardee, and Highlands Counties will employ 18 students using Recovery Act money. "Desiree Haehle said she would probably be at home watching TV and sleeping if she weren't involved in the summer work skills program. Thanks to the stimulus package, Haehle, who will be a senior at Sebring High School this year, is making money working in a shop. The region, which includes Highlands, Hardee and DeSoto counties, has received a little more than $1.2 million from The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009." [Tampa Tribune, 6/28/09]

20 high schools students garnered a total of $50,000 in Recovery Act-funded scholarships. "Workforce Central Florida awarded $50,000 worth of scholarships to 20 high school students from Orange, Lake, Sumter, Osceola and Seminole counties who are pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and health. The winners were chosen based on their academic accomplishments and their financial need. Each received a $2,500 scholarship, which was funded by the federal American Recovery & Reinvestment Act." [Orlando Business Journal, 6/26/09]

Marion County Senior Services given $132,000 in Recovery Act funding for meal provision to the elderly, creating three jobs and assisting over 90 seniors. "With the money, MCSS will add a new congregate meal site to the existing 11 and a 28th meal delivery route, helping at least 90 additional seniors. The funds will help create three part-time jobs at the center. There are currently 34 seniors on the meal delivery waiting list, and the new grant will help bring that number down to zero." [Ocala Star-Banner, 6/15/09]

Six Florida bridges will be repaired or rebuilt with Recovery Act funds. "At least a half dozen bridges from Golden Beach to Miami Beach, from Brickell Key to Geiger Key… will now be repaired or even rebuilt using $3,201,663.62 in federal stimulus dollars." [CBS News Channel 4, 6/11/09]

Thanks to an influx of Recovery Act dollars, the Lake County School Board might reinstate dozens of reading coaches and allow at least several veteran administrators to keep their jobs too. [Orlando Sentinel, 6/7/09]

Tampa Bay will receive a $23 million low interest loan and a $2.55 million grant for a 9 mile water pipeline replacement. The pipelines are between 80 and 100 years old and beyond their useful life. [Tampa Bay Business Journal, 6/5/09]

City of Sopchoppy will undergo large scale wastewater treatment initiative funded by $5.1 million from Recovery Act via Florida Department of Environmental Protection. DEP Secretary: "The stimulus funds advance our ongoing efforts to provide needed funding for infrastructure to local communities. We have had a tremendous demand for the ARRA funding, which will help build valuable public projects." [Panama City News Herald, 6/4/09]

Recovery Act funds will make it possible to complete the last segment of a decades-long Palmetto Expressway reconstruction project. [Miami Herald, 5/24/09]

Recovery Act funds salvage state budget. Federal money allows for extensive local projects. [Pensacola News Journal, 5/25/09]

The Lynx Central Florida bus system used Recovery Act funds to buy a new disinfectant system. [WDBO.com, 5/21/09]

The Alachua County school district will use Recovery Act money to pay approximately 250 teachers on annual contracts for the next two school years. "For the next school year, the school district also will receive approximately $4.7 million in stimulus money for Title I schools – which are determined by the percentage of students on free and reduced lunch – and $6.3 million for special education programs. The first half of the Title I stimulus money was pledged before May 1 so that 56 employees would not receive letters that their annual contracts would not be renewed. Half of them were teachers, and the other half were paraprofessionals, tutors who work alongside teachers. Charles Hall, the district's Title I director, told board members that his plan is to use part of the next allotment of the district's Title I stimulus money to preserve jobs in the 2010-11 school year." [The Gainesville Sun, 5/20/09]

Recovery Act will enable Gadsden Schools to retain 70 jobs. [WCTV (Tallahassee, FL) , 5/19/09]

Thanks to Recovery Act provisions, Kevin and Linda Potter were able to secure an SBA loan to complete work on their martial arts studio. "Under the temporary change in the 7a loan guarantee program, a company's net worth can't be greater than $8.5 million and its average net income for the last two years must be less than $3 million. It applies to 7a loans approved on or after May 5, and loans OK'd through September, 2010. The SBA estimates 70,000 small businesses that didn't meet the permanent 7a standards are now eligible for the program. Industries most likely to benefit include construction, retail, and services." [The News-Press, 5/17/09]

Jackson County school district will save 18 teaching positions because of Recovery Act funds. [WJHG, 5/14/09]

Gadsen County school district will retain 50 jobs and Jefferson County school district will create 10 to 12 jobs because of the Recovery Act. [Tallahassee Democrat, 4/15/09]

Recovery Act money will reduce school budget cuts and save jobs. "At this point it looks like we will be able to recall at least 70 to 80 people." [Northwest Florida Daily, 5/13/09]

Recovery Act funding will help Polk County school district hire 200 to 300 new teachers next year. [Lakeland Ledger, 5/12/09]

Recovery Act funds will save 139 teaching jobs in Seminole County. [Orlando Sentinel, 5/13/09]

Department of Education released $1.8 billion in Recovery Act money for Florida. "Florida can now utilize these funds to save jobs and lay the groundwork for a generation for education reform." [Miami Herald, 5/12/09]

Recovery Act funds expected to offset university of West Florida’s budget cuts. "University employees were spared from the salary reductions that many other state employees will absorb." [Pensacola News Journal, 5/8/09]

Recovery Act funds should allow Pensacola Junior College to avoid layoffs. [Pensacola News Journal, 5/8/09]

Florida legislature balanced budget will the help of $5 billion in Recovery Act money. [Miami Herald, 5/9/09]

Leon County Commission Chairman said broadband initiatives "open up a ton of economic development opportunities in these small, rural communities." [Tallahasee.com, 5/9/09]

California and Florida are on the fast-track for high-speed rail funding. [UPI, 5/9/09]

Recovery Act funds saved 50 teaching jobs in Santa Rosa County. [Pensacola News Journal, 5/6/09]

St. Lucie County Commission approved county’s first Recovery Act project, which is expected to create 86 direct jobs. "According to the county, the $6.6 million project is expected to create at least 86 jobs directly, not including such related jobs as suppliers, and will be paid for using money from a road bond earlier than expected. The road bond money already is available. The project of about a half mile will reconstruct a four-lane section of Walton Road from U.S. 1 to Village Green and include median work, lighting work and landscaping among other improvements." [Treasure Coast Palm, 5/5/09]

The Recovery Act: Success Stories in the States

Florida