Recovery Act Accomplishments

Broward County > Economic Recovery > Recovery Act Accomplishments

On February 16, 2010, President Barack Obama marked the first Anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Recovery Act is a combination of tax relief, financial assistance and infrastructure projects designed to cushion the impact of the economic downturn and lay a foundation for recovery.

Bar Chart for Tax Benefits, Contracts, Entitlements, Grants and Loans

Through December 31, 2009, approximately one-third of the funds have been disbursed, and approximately 600,000 jobs had been created nationwide. Nearly 70% of the non-tax relief portion of the Recovery package has been obligated to specific projects and programs.

In Broward County, more than 200 grants and contracts have been awarded, totaling over $580 million. To date, the School Board has been the largest single recipient. Between September and December 2009, the proportion of grants funded through the Department of Transportation increased from 23% to 36%. This includes projects administered by State, County, and municipal governments.

Pie Chart of Universities, School Board, State Projects, Cities, BC Government, Other

Twelve grants, totaling $52 million, have been awarded directly to Broward County government; three additional projects, worth slightly over $1 million, are administered by the Sheriff’s Office (BSO).

A total of 263 jobs have been created countywide, primarily teachers and law enforcement officers. This number is expected to increase substantially in the next quarter, as various construction projects get underway.

Funded Awards:

Airport Improvement Project ($5.6 million)
Emergency Food and Shelter Program ($86,000)
National Endowment For the Arts ($250,000)
Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program ($1.6 million)
Community Development Block Grant ($1 million)
Community Services Block Grant ($2 million)
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Formula Grant ($3.4 million)
Transit Capital Assistance Program ($35 million)
Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) Grant ($2 million)
Port Security Grant Program ($190,000)
Strengthening Communities Fund ($218,150)
Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Project ($45,000)

Recent Denials:

Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP-2): Housing Finance & Community Development Division ($105 million)
Broadband Technology Opportunity Program: Libraries/Parks ($767,146)
Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grants Program: Transit/Traffic Engineering ($54.3 million)

Submitted Applications:

Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) – Federal Competitive Grant: Joint Proposal from Water & Wastewater, Facilities Maintenance, and Natural Resources Planning & Mgmt Divisions ($5 million). Notification expected in March.
Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) – State Competitive Sub-Grants: Natural Resources Planning & Management ($1.24 million). Notification expected in April.
Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Infrastructure Program: Fleet in partnership with WiseGas Inc. ($500,000). Approval expected at Florida Energy & Climate Commission Meeting on Feb.26th.
Florida Forest Health Improvement Initiative: Parks & Recreation ($23,992). Notification expected in March.

In Development:

Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (Round 2): Libraries. Total funding request approximately $1 million. Application due March 15th.

Upcoming Opportunities:

Florida Clean Energy Grants: To fund energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and activities ($10 million available; Individual grants up to $500,000.) Funding announcement expected shortly.
TIGER Grants (Round 2): $600 million has been allocated to DOT for a second round of TIGER grants, expected in the spring.