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INvest.IN.gov > FAQs FAQs

Welcome to the INvest.in.gov Frequently Asked Question page.  The FAQs below deal in general with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Indiana's use of federal stimulus funds.  If you cannot find the answer to your question below, please submit your question here.    For specific FAQs dealing with unemployment benefits, please click here.

Q: What is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act?

A: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) became law on February 17, 2009. Congress and President Obama have decided to commit $787 billion in spending and tax relief in hopes of stimulating the economy and creating jobs.  Much of that money will flow through state governments. Across America, states are in deep financial trouble; Indiana’s situation is different, at least for now. Our budget is balanced and we have maintained critical services that other states have cut.

The exact amount Indiana will receive is unknown, but Hoosiers can expect approximately $4.3 billion in increases in existing federal programs. More funds will be available through competitive grant funds, which we will aggressively pursue.  Governor Daniels has already taken action to utilize stimulus funds in the smartest and fastest ways possible. Before the federal package was signed into law, Indiana had identified ‘shovel ready’ highway and clean water projects throughout the state. These projects will put more Hoosiers to work.

Q: What will Indiana’s portion of the stimulus money go toward?

A:  A preliminary estimate of the formula driven portion of Indiana will receive is as follows:

 

 

  • Medicaid:  $1.4 billion
  • Education:  $1.3 billion
  • Roads and Bridges:  $650 million
  • Nutrition:  $400 million
  • Weatherization:   $100 million
  • Water Quality:  $100 million
  • Housing:  $100 million
  • Public Transit:  $80 million
  • Energy:  $70 million
  • Employment Services:  $70 million
  • Child Care:  $40 million
  • Justice:  $40 million

We hope to receive additional competitive grant money as well.

Q: Why are these estimates? Why don’t we know the amounts for sure?

A:  Federal agencies are still developing the rules for how the money will be dispersed, so the exact amounts are subject to change.  However, most of the formula-driven dollars are for existing programs, so approximate projections can be made based on past distributions.

Q: How will this spending be made transparent?

A:  Despite the fact that many of the details regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have not been worked out, the federal government has already made clear it will demand stringent reporting requirements from funding recipients, including state governments.  Any correspondence that Indiana has with Washington D.C. in this regard will be posted on this web portal.

Q: What does the term “shovel ready” mean?

A:  Infrastructure projects which are “shovel ready” have already been thoroughly designed by architects and engineers such that they are ready to be put out for bid for construction.  There is focus on shovel ready projects in this instance because the goal is to generate economic activity as quickly as possible.

 

Q: What is the Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps?

A: The Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps program was designed by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to employ 2,000 young Hoosiers to improve Indiana’s parks, trails and natural habitats.  The program utilizes federal stimulus funds designated for employment and training of people 16 to 24 years old.

The jobs will pay $8.50 per hour. According to federal requirements, the jobs will be for Hoosiers whose family incomes are at or below the poverty level (approximately $23,000 for a family of four). The positions will begin no earlier than May 1 and end no later than September 30, 2009. The state will place a top priority on hiring veterans and those currently receiving unemployment benefits who meet the program’s age and income eligibility requirements.

Program projects are planned at about 100 DNR sites around the state and will include rebuilding 52 structures that have been closed for years due to safety concerns. There are also plans to create 113 miles of new trails, rehabilitate over 1,100 miles of existing trails and restore 2,600 acres of natural habitat.

Click here to visit the Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps website.  Click here for more Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps FAQs.

Q: How do I apply for the Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps?

A: The Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps is now accepting applications online at this address: http://www.in.gov/yhcc/2328.htm

Q: Can my community/organization still apply for grant money?

A:  The vast majority of the stimulus package has very prescriptive regulations on how it can be spent. Whether money is available for new initiatives depends on the type of program.  For instance, road and bridge projects not already in the pipeline are unlikely to receive funding.  New ideas in other areas may be proposed, but applicants shouldn’t get their hopes too high.  To learn about submitting a potential project online, please click here.  Please note that evaluation of these projects is not occurring at this time.  Only information is being gathered.

Small businesses, local governments and other entities may qualify for one of the competitive grant programs funded by the federal stimulus package.  Eligibility requirements and application due dates vary.  For more information regarding competitive grants, click here.  For a list of competitive grant funding opportunities, click here.

Q: What is INvest.in.gov?

A: Invest.in.gov is the central point for state communication about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The site will be updated frequently, so visit often.

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