2009 Stimulus Package

[Lawrence E. Beasley]

Here in Nevada, Sen. Harry Reid held a symposium to discuss the coming distribution of the stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and how those funds will be used to provide the local economy with jobs and executable project development initiatives.

Has anyone else attended a similar forum in their state? What projects did you find to be of interest/value? Did you receive any positive project initiation requests? Any collaborations?

If you haven't heard about such a forum in your state, will you investigate further? If there is no forum scheduled in your state, are you on the phone to your Rep now?

[Lawrence E. Beasley]

I'm asking this because I received quite a response for my business services from GCs and other interested parties by attending and participating in this forum. It's not much in terms of a stimulus, but it's a start and the exposure was great (and I met some old clients that I haven't seen in years).

For small businesses, I think the stimulus can be a welcome means to generate some revenue and establish a client base in areas that we may not have otherwise had a chance to interface with.

Lawrence

[Rhonda Jai]

You know what, I live in Georgia and although I am sure they have had meetings, I haven't attended any. I think I got a little discouraged when our Governor said that he was turning down some of the funds. I have really become disenchanted with the way our state distributes funding. Which prior to the recession and the stimulus packages I hadn't really given it a thought.

But because Georgia is a "Republican" state the areas where the people who voted our Republican Governor into the chair will get first dibs at the money. In a lot of the Democratic areas or areas where there was a low voter turnout, which is basically the area I live in will be of the last to get the money. Already in my county we have schools closings, businesses leaving and foreclosures....well we always had a high foreclosure rate due to predatory lending and the lack of educating first time homeowners.

I know it is not an excuse as to not attend such a meeting and to speak up more and hold our Georgia leaders more accountable for what is going on. But I must say I am a bit discouraged. Maybe if I look at is a more of a networking opportunity that will motivate me to attend more meetings held by our government officials. I guess that really is the mature thing to do. Thanks for the advice.

[Lawrence E. Beasley]

Yes, I understand completely -- Nevada is very nearly the same, except that our governor is completely inept. And even his (GOP) colleagues know it (he made the same "I don't want the money" statements, and woke up to people with pitchforks on the Capitol lawn).

Everyone expects that there may be some "misdirection," but I think the transparency in the process will keep that to a minimum; and with so many people/institutions in need, the tolerance for nonsense is pretty low.

One other thing to remember is that the funding isn't being "given" to anyone; you gotta go get it. And possibly fight for a share. Even state legislatures are looking at who is going to have left over funds for the taking...

Lawrence

Rhonda Jai said:

You know what, I live in Georgia and although I am sure they have had meetings, I haven't attended any. I think I got a little discouraged when our Governor said that he was turning down some of the funds. I have really become disenchanted with the way our state distributes funding. Which prior to the recession and the stimulus packages I hadn't really given it a thought.

But because Georgia is a "Republican" state the areas where the people who voted our Republican Governor into the chair will get first dibs at the money. In a lot of the Democratic areas or areas where there was a low voter turnout, which is basically the area I live in will be of the last to get the money. Already in my county we have schools closings, businesses leaving and foreclosures....well we always had a high foreclosure rate due to predatory lending and the lack of educating first time homeowners.

I know it is not an excuse as to not attend such a meeting and to speak up more and hold our Georgia leaders more accountable for what is going on. But I must say I am a bit discouraged. Maybe if I look at is a more of a networking opportunity that will motivate me to attend more meetings held by our government officials. I guess that really is the mature thing to do. Thanks for the advice.