Promising to create or save over 3 million jobs, President Obama signed the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February. Since then, job seekers have been eager to benefit from the act -- commonly known as the stimulus plan. This page is designed to provide resources that can help, and it will be updated as new developments warrant.
(Last update: October 23)
Now It's Easier to Follow the Money
A redesign of the government site recovery.gov features several enhancements that may make it easier to find employment opportunities that result from the Recovery Act.
One useful new feature, called Track the Money, is a database of grant recipients (i.e., companies that may soon be hiring) and the federal agencies that awarded the funds. You can also scan by state to find projects near you.
====
Broadband Project Proposals Pour In
The Commerce Department reported that nearly 2,200 applications have been submitted for $4 billion in funding for expanding broadband access and adoption throughout the U.S.
The $4.7 billion in funding from the Recovery Act is designed to bridge the technological divide by expanding Internet access to rural and underserved areas, while creating jobs for building broadband infrastructure.
The applications far exceed the projected funding, but Lawrence Strickling, assistant secretary for communications and information, said, "We will move quickly but carefully to fund the best projects to bring broadband and jobs to more Americans."
An online database will soon be available with more details about the projects, according to the Commerce Dept. For more information, see the press release.
====
Funding Boosts 'Earn While Your Learn' Programs
The Department of Labor has released more than $6 million for job-training projects in fast-growing industries.
The funding allows employers and labor organizations to advance Registered Apprenticeships, an "earn while you learn" model that provides a combination of on-the-job learning and related classroom instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation.
The funded projects, however, are available only in a handful of states. For the list and more information, see the press release.
====
Focus on 'Trickle-Down Jobs'
Job experts say stimulus funding might start trickling down to a select group of industries in the third quarter of this year.
In particular, they suggest watching out for certain jobs in infrastructure, finance, education, and environmental protection.
For more details, see the article "Trickle-Down Jobs from the Stimulus Package."
====
Billions to Fund Electricity Grid Projects
At the end of June the Department of Energy made available $3.9 billion for smart grid technologies and electricity transmission infrastructure.
"These investments will be used to develop a smart, strong and secure electrical grid that will help integrate renewable resources onto the grid, deliver power more reliably and effectively with less environmental impact, and create new jobs across the country," said Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
For more details on the funding, which is part of the Recovery Act, see the Department of Energy press release.
====
USDA Funds New Projects in 29 States
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is releasing $176 million in Recovery Act funding to upgrade laboratory buildings and support facilities at research locations in 29 states.
"This funding will ensure that our labs can carry out the critical research that enables the U.S. to have the safest, least expensive food supply in the world," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
For more details and a list of target projects, which aim to create jobs and support local businesses, see the USDA press release.
====
Obama Pledges 600,000 New Jobs
President Obama met with Cabinet members on June 8 to discuss progress of the stimulus plan. According to the Associated Press, he and Vice President Biden pledged to create 600,000 jobs with stimulus money by the end of the summer.
Some of the details include 135,000 education jobs, 125,000 summer youth jobs, and various job-creating projects with the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Transportation, among others. This White House press release has more information.
You can also get more details on this next phase of the stimulus plan from the White House site, with a video presentation by the vice president.
====
How to Get a Government Job
Even as the Obama administration hands out money to start jobs as part of the stimulus plan, it is creating jobs within the government. This is especially true in the areas that the administration has prioritized: energy, environment, health care, infrastructure, and education.
But getting a job with the federal government is a unique process that differs from the usual job search in the private sector. Here are some articles that offer great tips on how to improve your chances:
- Land a Government Job Now
- Government Jobs: Extra Effort Can Pay Off
- Ins and Outs of Landing a Government Job
====
New Money for Green Jobs and Training
Vice President Joe Biden and two Cabinet secretaries announced on May 26 a national program to train workers to make public housing more energy-efficient.
According to this AP article, the program totals about $500 million for training workers, and it includes $50 million for communities struggling with job losses and battered by the ailing auto industry.
Also, as the federal government continues hiring, check out this article from the Baltimore Sun that offers guidance about finding and landing a government job.
More:
- Government Announces Money for Green Jobs, Training
- What Are Green-Collar Jobs?
- How to Navigate the Federal Job Maze
====
HUD Releases More Money for Projects, Jobs
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced on May 11 an additional $1 billion for improvements to thousands of public housing units nationwide that will improve energy efficiency and create jobs.
The news follows a HUD announcement in March regarding $3 billion in public-housing improvements. Both announcements are part of the Recovery Act.
For more information, reach the HUD news release.
====
Interior Funds Projects for Landscapes, Renewable Energy
On May 1 Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced $305 million in stimulus funds for 650 Bureau of Land Management projects across the country. The initiatives will restore landscapes and habitat, spur renewable energy development and create jobs, according to a Department of the Interior press release.
Overall the department is managing $3 billion in investments as part of the recovery plan signed by President Obama.
For more details on the new projects, see the press release.
====
New Funding for Wind Energy Projects
In an April 29 press release, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced plans to provide $93 million in stimulus funds to support development of wind energy projects.
"These projects will create green jobs, promote economic recovery, and provide the investments needed to increase renewable energy generation," according to the DOE.
See the DOE press release for more details. For more on green jobs, check out "Increase Your Earning Power by Going Green" and the green-jobs page at Yahoo! Green.
====
Defense Adds More Funds to Repair Projects
On April 28, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced an additional $835 million for facility improvement projects as part of its overall stimulus effort. The funding comes on top of a $6.1 billion infrastructure project list announced on March 20.
According to the DoD press release, all of the new projects will be conducted at Army and Army National Guard facilities in 37 states and the District of Columbia. More than half of the $835 million will be spent in five states: Texas ($155 million), Kentucky ($83 million), North Carolina ($83 million), Oklahoma ($66 million) and Hawaii ($59 million).
To view a complete list of the projects, check this DoD link.
====
Schools, Parks to Get Funds to Create, Save Jobs
The U.S. Dept. of Education recently released stimulus funds for California ($4 billion), Illinois ($1.4 billion), and South Dakota ($85 million) to drive education reforms and save teaching jobs.
The grants are part of the department's total $44 billion stimulus spending plan. For news releases on these developments, check out the press room at the ED.gov.
On Earth Day (April 22), the Department of the Interior announced funds for National Park Service projects ($55 million) to help create jobs and restore America's national parks. For more, see the official press release and check your local news.
====
Stimulus Transportation Projects Hit 2,000 Mark
On Monday, April 13, President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Transportation Secretary LaHood announced the 2,000th transportation project under the Economic Recovery Act.
The 2,000th project is in Kalamazoo County, Mich. In a White House press release, officials note that competition among contractors for all these transportation projects has been intense, with many bids below estimates. This leads to further stretching of stimulus funding and more jobs, the officials say.
Follow the money to learn about possible jobs. The bottom of the press release highlights other big-money transportation projects announced in Maryland, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, California, and Colorado.
Check the Department of Transportation site for more information.
====
NOAA Details Plan for Creating Jobs
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has submitted plans to Congress on how it plans to invest $830 million in stimulus funds.
"These proposed funds will put thousands of Americans to work while restoring our coasts and combating climate change," Commerce Department Secretary Gary Locke said in a press release. "It reflects our investment in sound science and commitment to help strengthen local economies."
The agency's new projects include coastal restoration, repairing weather stations, repairs on NOAA research vessels, and enhancement of two climate-computing stations that will generate jobs in construction, manufacturing, and software engineering.
For more details, see the NOAA press release. You can also find more Commerce Dept. information at commerce.gov/recovery.
===
HUD Grants Funds; Watch for Housing-Related Jobs
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released nearly $3 billion to local housing authorities to make improvements to thousands of homes. The official news release has links to track where funding was targeted (and where new job opportunities will emerge).
San Francisco's housing authority, for example, will receive nearly $18 million, which is the equivalent of 178 new full-time jobs, as reported in The Examiner.
====
Training Workers, Helping the Unemployed
As part of the stimulus plan, there is a $4 million piece going to the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which includes funding for adult employment and training activities, employment for youth and older Americans, as well as training for jobs in high-growth and emerging industry sectors.
You can find more details about the programs here.
The stimulus is also making COBRA more affordable for people who were laid off this year. See the Dept. of Labor's new guide to COBRA changes and benefits.
====
How to Find a Stimulus Job
While there is no single clearinghouse for finding out about new jobs created by the stimulus plan, you can get some good direction from "6 Ways to Find a Stimulus Job."
Also, the U.S. Department of Labor announced new funding and planning for One-Stop Career Centers that are designed to help get Americans back to work. For more info on the centers, visit careeronestop.org.
====
New Plan Aims to Help Small BusinessesSeeking to boost a key source of U.S. jobs, President Obama unveiled a $15 billion plan to help small businesses.
Saying that small businesses created roughly 70 percent of jobs in the last decade, Obama called small businesses "the heart of the economy." The plan intends to reduce lending fees and ease tax burdens on small businesses while requiring the large banks that receive stimulus money to report monthly on how much they lend to small businesses.
For more resources on small businesses, check out Yahoo! Small Business.
====
Watch These Broad Job Sectors
Experts have noted that some industries will benefit most from jobs created by the stimulus plan. These include:
Construction -- New infrastructure projects could include highway and bridge repairs, rail lines, and power facilities.Green-collar jobs -- This broad sector will focus on reducing greenhouse gas, harnessing renewable energy resources.
Energy and utilities -- Modernizing the nation's electrical grid is a key goal of the stimulus plan.
Federal government -- New regulators, accountants, and administrators will be needed to carry out the spending plans.
Information technology -- Digitizing records and updating medical information systems will require a range of technology workers.
For more, see these articles:
- "6 Fields That Stand to Gain From Stimulus Plan"
- "In Pictures: An Insider's Guide to Finding a Stimulus Job"
- "5 Things to Know About Stimulus Jobs"
More on 'Green Collar' Jobs
"Green collar" jobs are expected to grow as part of the stimulus plan, but what exactly are they? According to this article, there is no definitive answer yet. But Pete Altman at the Natural Resources Defense Council says: "A green job is just like a regular job, only the result of what you are making or doing is good for the environment."
Many of these jobs will involve building and maintaining wind turbines or installing solar panels, and these projects will need people with skills in construction and manufacturing, as well as machinists and electricians.
New jobs alert: The Obama administration announces $8 billion effort on weatherization and energy efficiency projects with a target of creating 87,000 new jobs.
For more on green jobs, see these articles:
- "What the Green Collar Economy Means for You"
- "Put on a Green Collar: 5 Jobs for the Future"
- "Green Collar Jobs See Strong Growth"
====
Specific Types of Jobs to Benefit
According to the article "Obama Job-o-rama," people who are qualified for these types of jobs will be in demand (with median annual salaries provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics):
Electrical engineers ($79,240)
Air quality specialists ($58,380)
Hydrologists (entry level: $35,000)
Information systems managers ($108,070)
Civil drafters ($43,310)
Laboratory technicians ($34,270)
====
For the latest government news on the stimulus plan, visit recovery.gov.
