Dept. of Economic & Community Development
Matthew Kisber, Commissioner
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
OVERVIEW
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which includes measures to modernize our nation’s infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.
The act is a nationwide effort to create jobs, jumpstart growth and transform our economy to compete in the 21st century. The compromise package of $789 billion will create or save 3.5 million U.S. jobs over the next two years. Jobs created will be in a range of industries from clean energy to health care, with over 90% in the private sector.
ARRA FUNDS IN ECD
The State of Tennessee is projected to receive approximately $4.5 billion over the next two years to help speed the economic recovery, create and save jobs, and provide services to those affected by these tough times. ECD will be working with Governor Phil Bredesen to create an orderly, disciplined process to make sure Tennessee funds are used to their full potential for projects that have merit and are ready to proceed quickly.
ECD will be overseeing a portion of the funds in the areas listed below. Click on the links for more information and the latest plans and reports. Click here to view ECD's latest ARRA reports.
| Program | Federal Agency | Description | Tennessee Amount |
| State Energy Program | U.S. Dept. of Energy | Tennessee will use its SEP funds to establish the Volunteer State Solar Initiative, consisting of two initiatives: the Tennessee Solar Institute and the West Tennessee Solar Farm. |
$62,482,000 |
| Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants | U.S. Dept. of Energy | Tennessee will use funding to asist small- and medium-sized cities and counties to conserve energy and reduce fossil fuel emissions. The maximum grant amount will be $100,000 and partial funding may be awarded. The deadline to apply is Dec. 30, 2009. |
$42,243,200 (ECD administering $13,818,200) |
| Energy Star Appliance Rebate | U.S. Dept. of Energy | This project provides federal support for state-level rebate programs for consumer purchases of new ENERGY STAR® qualified home appliances. |
$5,963,000 |
| Enhancing State and Local Governments Energy Assurance | U.S. Dept. of Energy | Enhancing State and Local Governments Energy Assurance dollars will be used to improve state emergency preparedness plans and ensure quick recovery and restoration from any energy supply disruptions. |
$770,233 |
| Community Development Block Grants | U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development | The CDBG program enables local governments to undertake a wide range of activities intended to create suitable living environments, provide decent affordable housing and create economic opportunities, primarily for persons of low and moderate income. |
$13,263,085 (ECD administering $7,095,627) |
| Rural Business Enterprise Grant | U.S. Dept. of Agriculture | The money will be used for the ECD-BERO Rural Micro Loan Fund. These micro loans of $500-$10,000 are available for entrepreneurs living and operating a business in rural Tennessee. |
$100,000 |
ECD Energy Division
ECD Loans and Grants
ECD-BERO Rural Micro Loan Fund
USEFUL LINKS
Recovery.gov
State of Tennessee Recovery Act Web Site
Department of Energy ARRA site
Department of Housing and Urban Development ARRA site
Department of Agriculture ARRA site
ARRA Overview
ARRA Energy Fact Sheet
National Governor's Association ARRA Resource Center
Full Text of the ARRA
Recovery Act Grant Opportunities
Tennessee Recovery Act News
FREQUENTLY USED ACRONYMS
ARRA – American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
SEP – State Energy Program
EECBG – Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants
CDBG – Community Development Block Grants
ECD – Tennessee’s Department of Economic and Community Development
DOE – U.S. Department of Energy
BERO - ECD's Business Enterprise Resource Office
