Virginia Updates Stimulus.Virginia.Gov

Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today launched an overhauled Stimulus.Virginia.Gov, transforming the state's original, Web site into a comprehensive online portal for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). With the conclusion of the project solicitation phase of the commonwealth's program to implement the recovery plan, the Web site is transitioning to present a wide range of information related to the ARRA -- including maps, graphs, charts, and downloadable tables that allow citizens to see where proposals have originated, where money is flowing, and what specific projects and geographies are benefiting from recovery plan funding.

"In Virginia -- just as in other states across the country -- we've made transparency and accountability a core part of our program to implement the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," Kaine said. "As we work to build a stronger economic future for Virginia, the redesigned Stimulus.Virginia.Gov will be a central tool to ensure Virginians can see where funds are being used and how the recovery plan is working in our state."

Virginia will receive approximately $4.8 billion in direct appropriations from the ARRA -- not including tax cuts, which will aid Virginia citizens directly. In addition, a large amount of additional funds will be in the form of competitive grants that have yet to be awarded. These grants may be awarded to a wide range of groups, including state agencies and institutions of higher education, local governments, quasi-governmental organizations, non-profit organizations, and private companies. White House economists estimate the recovery plan will create or save 93,000 jobs in Virginia over the next two years.

Given the ARRA's unprecedented requirements on disclosure and reporting the use of funding, State Comptroller David Von Moll will be working to ensure Virginia state agencies and institutions of higher education meet all reporting requirements to the federal government. Between February 10 and March 6, Stimulus.Virginia.Gov received more than 9,000 project ideas, totaling $450 billion.