Stimulus Bill Resources for States and Locals

Though state and local governments are still hashing out details for how they will receive funds from the $787 billion U.S. economic stimulus bill -- a.k.a. the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) -- there are several go-to documents scattered across the Internet that are pertinent to information technology projects contained in the bill.

The following are links that Government Technology has found useful while tracking developments in the stimulus bill. We think they could be helpful for you too. Check back occasionally to this Web page; we'll be updating it periodically.

Stimulus Bill Basics

Recovery.gov
The federal government's Web portal for the ARRA includes a timeline of deadlines and milestones, a breakout of where the money is going, and video message from President Barack Obama. He said Recovery.gov will be evolving in the months ahead.

State Web Sites for Stimulus
Recovery.gov has a U.S. map of states that have launched their own economic recovery Web sites. They contain state-by-state statistics and governor's remarks. Links to each Web site are included. At least 11 states have launched them thus far.

Stimulus Spending and Reporting Rules from the OMB
Here's initial guidance from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget on spending and tracking of federal stimulus money through the ARRA. This 62-page PDF document lays out some of the mechanics for contracts and grants that will be used for distributing stimulus dollars. It also details the requirements federal agencies must meet for reporting stimulus spending data to Recovery.gov.

Stimulus Bill State-By-State

Shortly after Congress passed and President Obama signed the stimulus bill last month, the National Governors Association published a helpful summary of the bill's contents in a 34-page PDF.

Mainstreet Economic Recovery
An economic recovery Web site created by the U.S. Conference of Mayors includes comprehensive information for local governments.

Stimulus Bill Topic-by-Topic

Getting Stimulus Money for Broadband
Before stimulus bill broadband grants flow to local governments, the federal government is seeking input on grant requirements from "interested parties," according to the Federal Register. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will begin holding meetings March 2 and continue until further notice. The NTIA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, which is distributing $4.7 billion of the $7.2 billion President Barack Obama detailed in his stimulus package for municipal broadband.
To schedule a meeting, call Barbara Brown at the NTIA at (202) 482-4374 or e-mail her at bbrown@ntia.doc.gov.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants
The stimulus bill includes $3.2 billion for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants, which provide funding for states, cities, counties and Indian tribes to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions.

State Energy Program
The State Energy Program was allotted $3.1 billion to provide grants to states to address energy priorities and fund emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Converge Magazine
Are you looking for stimulus coverage about education? Look no further than Converge magazine, which is updating its Web site very day with new stories about education-related projects in the stimulus bill.

Federal Highway Administration Stimulus Information
The stimulus package includes almost $50 billion for transportation projects. The Federal Highway Administration's stimulus Web site offers helpful advice for agencies seeking a piece of that funding. Among other things, you'll find an extensive list of questions and answers, as well as tips on expediting the delivery of stimulus dollars.