SACRAMENTO, CA -- The following information was released by the office of California Rep. Doris Matsui:
On the eve of the first anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) compiled the following collection of statements from community leaders and opinion makers across the Sacramento region, to highlight what others are saying about the local impact of the Recovery Act. To date, the Recovery Act has brought in over $550 million into Sacramento. A complete list and interactive Google Map of projects within CA-05 can be found at www.matsui.house.gov/recovery
'The Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA) has been able to create 808 full-time jobs in the first four months of receiving recovery act funding. Through our recovery act funded job creation and business innovations program, the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance (SARTA) has created the Sacramento Venture Lab which will house three new clean energy start-up companies by the end of this year. We are also seeing new companies who are coming into the area representing the clean green sector who will need to fill upwards of 200 positions. With this new business activity, we are hopeful that we will be able to significantly increase the amount of new jobs created by the spring of 2010.' - Kathy Kossick, Executive Director for Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA)
'Sacramento State has taken advantage of several Recovery Act funding opportunities that have enabled us to provide vital opportunities for key researchers and enhance the education we offer our students. Sacramento State has received $1.27 million in recovery commitments from federal agencies, and another $4.3 million is anticipated in coming months that will help us purchase research equipment, create jobs in our region and assist Sacramento State in becoming a top destination university in the nation.' - Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez
'The stimulus money has been a shot in the arm for the Sacramento Police Department, allowing us to hire 12 new officers to date. These funds enable us to hold the line on critical staffing. We're very appreciative of the Congresswoman's commitment to the safety of the City of Sacramento.' - Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel
'Jobs for working families are key to jumpstarting economic recovery in Sacramento. In the short period of time that this program has been underway, the partnerships we've developed with small builders and contractors have helped 69 workers keep their jobs and created 28 new jobs for local residents.' - La Shelle Dozier, Executive Director of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency
'In addition to creating and preserving jobs in a difficult economy, these grants [from the ARRA] will support important research in medicine, basic sciences and engineering that will have long-term benefits for the economy of California and the nation -- and they will help us to train the next generation of scientists.' - Barry Klein, Vice Chancellor for Research at UC Davis
'Given the current budget situation in the state, this funding announcement could not have come at a better time. Funding for preventative maintenance is absolutely critical for the operation of our system. These funds will allow RT to 74 of its staff, and allow our buses and light rail to get passengers to their destinations safely and on time. This funding will help to ensure reliability and we cannot thank the Congresswoman enough for being our most vocal and ardent champion.' - Michael Wiley, General Manager/CEO of the Sacramento Regional Transit District
'Sacramento County will be receiving the bulk of their Stimulus dollars during 2010 where greater job creation opportunities will become available. Because of Stimulus, programs are developing through collaborative efforts with the County and City of Sacramento, SMUD and countless others, that will create and expand job opportunities in the green building and energy efficiency sector.' - Judy Robinson, Sacramento County
'It's an incredibly challenging time for educators and the ARRA funds helped us with more than 100 critical teaching positions and resources that make a real difference for our students. It's hard to imagine how different our classrooms would have looked this year without the assistance.' - Frank S. Porter, Superintendent, Twin Rivers Unified School District
'The Effort has worked with Congresswoman Matsui to secure over $1.5 million in Recovery Act funds helping to ensure that the underserved populations of Sacramento continue to receive quality health care. Through these grants, we have been able to expand the services we offer, put better equipment in our exam rooms, and hire more doctors to treat Sacramento's patients. The funding also came at a critical time for our community. In light of the recent economic recession, demand for the services we provide to Sacramento's low-income and uninsured families has grown exponentially.' - Robert S. Caulk, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, The Effort Community Health Center
'We are very excited about the opportunities the Recovery Act has brought to our region through the grant to SMUD and its partners in the SmartSacramento project as this is a significant infrastructure improvement project. This project will modernize our energy grid and provide better service to our customers.' - Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) General Manager and CEO John DiStasio
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