Recovery Act Update: How the Stimulus Package is Helping Maine
July 24, 2009 -
Since the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February of this year, many have asked how much the State of Maine has received and what has been done with that funding. As of July 8th, more than $242 million in Recovery Act funding has been dispersed through the State. Although the majority of this funding has gone to support Medicaid due to the March shortfall, several other state government departments have seen much of the Recovery Act funding.
The Department of Education has distributed $24 million to Maine schools. This funding replenishes the loss of state funding that schools faced when the State saw a significant revenue drop. The Recovery Act funds for education can be used for a variety of educational purposes that include literacy programs, vocational education and renovation of schools. Maine school districts will receive additional federal funding for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years, to make up for the gap created by the further decline of state revenue that we saw in March.
The Maine Department of Transportation has allocated 100% of the federal funds they will be receiving to seventy-five different projects. Thirty-four projects are currently underway, two are completed, twenty-one have been awarded funding and eighteen are still waiting for funding. As of July 9th, the MDOT had spent $20.4 million on road, highway and bridge repair.
As of July 3rd, the Department of Labor has issued more than $24 million in Recovery Act Unemployment Compensation Benefits. The MDOL is currently looking at several competitive grant opportunities to fund projects that would help train Maine workers for green jobs in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.
Portland has also started to see Recovery Act funding: the Clean Water State Revolving Fund received $3 million that will be administered in the Portland area; the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Ages 3 to 20, has seen a total of just over $1 million; Portland has been allocated more than $3.1 million in Title I Funding. Title I funds are aimed at helping to ensure that low-income students meet state academic standards. Also, congratulations are in order for the Lark Society for Chamber Music. They received $6,000 in federal funding through the Maine Arts Recovery program that is administered by the Maine Arts Commission.
These are just a few examples of where funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is being used here in Maine. For more information and to follow Recovery Act updates as they become available, visit maine.gov/recovery.
As always, I'd love to hear what you think about how the state is spending stimulus funds, and anything else that is on your mind. You can call me at 828-0277, or send me an email at Justin@JustinAlfond.com. Enjoy the sunshine!
