DeLauro Meets with Local Leaders to Discuss Impact of Recovery Act Funds, Economic Recovery

New Haven, CT –Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) met today with local Mayors from the Third Congressional District to discuss the year ahead, the need for new jobs legislation, the achievements thus far of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), appropriations for 2010 programs, the FY 2011 budget recently announced by President Obama, and the economic challenges our communities continue to face.

Signed into law last February, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will inject approximately $787 billion into the American economy over two years, with $275 billion available through federal contracts, grants, and loans. Approximately $200 billion of these funds had been awarded by end of 2009, the halfway point of the program, and nearly 600,000 jobs have been saved or created already.

According to a statewide report issued last month, Connecticut state agencies had received $2.94 billion in recovery act grants and expended $2.08 billion in recovery act funds. An estimated one million Connecticut residents have been directly impacted by ARRA funds through programs ranging from job training, children's vaccines, enrollment in WIC, and job creation through transportation projects. In addition, approximately 125,000 residents benefited from $59,092,385 in supplemental nutrition assistance benefits, and 170,000 received $1.1 billion in unemployment benefits.

According to the President's Council of Economic Advisers, it is estimated that investments made through the Recovery Act have boosted employment in Connecticut by 26,000 jobs over the last year. In the fourth quarter alone, it was estimated that in Connecticut, 6,184 jobs were created or retained with ARRA money.

"As we move ahead in 2010, I am very focused on moving forward jobs legislation that will ensure our economic recovery is felt where it matters most – in our families and communities," said Congresswoman DeLauro, "We obviously have a ways to go. There are a lot of people in Connecticut looking for work right now, and a lot of folks who still desperately need our help to get back on their feet. I look forward to working with the mayors and local officials to ensure that our towns continue to get the critical resources required to meet the needs of the people of the 3rd Congressional district."