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Recovery in Action: CA, KS, MD, MI, and WI

"Michigan has turned a new page in its industrial history, and the city of Livonia may be a part of a chapter yet to be written on battery technology" – so said The Livonia Observer yesterday. The story was discussing a massive investment of Recovery funds in producing the next generation of batteries here in America, and is just one of several stories that demonstrate the wide impact of the Recovery Act.
In addition to financing next-generation technology in Michigan, funds provided by the Recovery Act created jobs in California, prevented layoffs in Kansas, and extended unemployment insurance benefits in Wisconsin:
Roughly 1,200 Teenagers Found Jobs As Long Beach Youth Employment Placement Organizations Saw Resources Increase Four-Fold With Stimulus Infusions; Aspiring Soldiers Experienced Port Security Operations. "Restoring wetlands, installing electrical lines, planting gardens, patrolling the ports. Federal stimulus dollars have put about 1,200 local teens to work in professional fields this summer in and around Long Beach amid one of the toughest job markets in memory. The youth job program run through the city experienced a nearly 400 percent increase in paid employment this summer thanks to some $2.7 million in special federal funding. For 17-year-olds Chris Martinez and Phyreoun Chea, the influx of cash offered an opportunity to earn some money and learn new skills working about 25 hours a week at the Port of Long Beach, where they're receiving a crash course on police work at the port's security division. ‘There's a lot of ex-military people working with us, showing us how security is handled at the port, taking us to meetings, explaining reports and technology and taking us into the field,’ said Chea, a Poly High student who plans to join the Army after graduation in June. Martinez, a senior at Millikan High this fall, said the program has exposed him to a new world. ‘I'd say we're learning a lot,’ Martinez said. ‘The stuff that goes on here is pretty amazing, some of the equipment and how they have to operate to keep the port secure. It's been a good experience.’"
ARRA Saved Over 1,000 Public Safety Jobs, Grant Will Retain 112 Criminal Justice Workers, Reduce Furloughs for 1,484 Workers. "State and local public safety programs have been hit hard by declining revenues and the national recession; but thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Kansas remains safe and secure as more than 1,000 public safety jobs are protected. ‘Public safety is a top priority for my administration, which is why during the last round of budget cuts our Department of Corrections was spared. However, state and local programs have had to cope with fewer resources and less flexibility,’ said Governor Parkinson. ‘With the justice grants contained in the Recovery Act, more than 1,000 public safety employees won’t have to be furloughed, and more than a hundred won’t be laid off. Not only is this stemming the rising tide of unemployment – it’s keeping the streets of Kansas safe.’ Twenty-seven state and local agencies will receive $11,534,125 in Justice Assistance Grants during the next 24 months. The grant program supports communities in their efforts to hire and retain criminal justice personnel. The funds will create five full time positions and will help retain all or a portion of 112 existing positions. In addition, the grant funds will reduce anticipated furlough days for approximately 1,484 employees. The grant program will help maintain and strengthen resources for law enforcement, prosecution, and corrections programs."
Senator Mikulski Announced Creation Of Stimulus-Backed Registered Apprenticeship Programs Across Maryland By Which Young People Will Be Employed And Garner Relevant Job Skills. "Senator Barbara A. Mikulski announced five Maryland industry associations and labor-management organizations have been awarded grants to develop Registered Apprenticeship programs. The funds are being awarded by the Department of Labor, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by President Obama this year. Registered Apprenticeships are based on an ‘earn while you learn’ model that provides a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation. Apprenticeships will help develop a pipeline of workers for new and emerging industries, including those related to green technologies. ‘These grants help us invest in workers and businesses that are ready for the future. These funds will help build Maryland’s innovation infrastructure and power our innovation economy,’ Senator Mikulski said."
Observer & Eccentric Newspapers: A123 Systems Obtained Battery Technology ARRA Allocation, Marking A Potential "New Chapter" In Michigan Industrial History. "Michigan has turned a new page in its industrial history, and the city of Livonia may be a part of a chapter yet to be written on battery technology. Vice President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that $1.35 billion in federal grants will be awarded to 12 projects in Michigan to support advanced battery and electric vehicle manufacturing and development. Gov. Jennifer Granholm visited A123 Systems in Livonia Thursday to highlight that company's $249.1 million grant from the Department of Energy at the site of what will be the company's new regional headquarters and production facility. The grant will help A123 develop a strategy for constructing lithium ion battery manufacturing facilities in the United States with the first construction location in Livonia. Under the grant's terms, A123 will be required to match the funds over time as they are spent. Grant funding comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's electric drive vehicle battery and component manufacturing initiative. A123 will be located at 39000 Seven Mile, just west of I-275. Company officials would not comment Thursday on specific plans for the building. A123 officials said the manufacturing system is expected to be U.S.-based with research and development, manufacturing of the company's proprietary Nanophosphate cathode powder, electrode coating, cell fabrication, module fabrication and so on through the final assembly of complete battery pack systems for vehicle integration."
ARRA Will Fund Expansion of Unemployment Benefits For Over 1,200 Workers Displaced By Manufacturing Layoffs. "Gov. Jim Doyle announced Thursday that more than $3.4 million in additional assistance for more than 1,200 dislocated workers formerly employed by 11 Bay Area manufacturers, including Sheboygan area companies Kohler, JL French and Pentair Filtration. The National Emergency Grant includes more than $1.6 million in funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. ‘This is good news for working families hit hard by the national recession,’ Doyle said in a press release. ‘This grant will help these displaced workers improve their skills. With new skills, they will be job-ready in the months ahead as our national economy begins to recover. I am committed to doing everything in my power to assist these workers, their families and communities.’ The more than 1,200 workers were affected by multiple layoffs at JL French, Sheboygan; Genmar Yacht Group (Carver Boats), Pulaski; Koenig and Vits, Manitowoc; Marinette Marine, Marinette; Kohler, Sheboygan; Pentair Filtration, Sheboygan; Manitowoc Company, Manitowoc; Federal Mogul, Manitowoc; Karl Schmidt Unisia, Marinette; KCS International (Cruisers), Oconto and Winsert, Marinette."