Delaware Officials Announce State has been Promised More than $1 Billion in Recovery Funds

October 26, 2009 -- NEWARK, DE – Senators Tom Carper and Ted Kaufman (both D-Del.) and Governor Jack Markell, among others, announced today that the State of Delaware has reached the $1 billion mark for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, a.k.a. ‘stimulus’) funds committed to the State of Delaware. Gov. Markell also announced that nearly 1,000 jobs had been created over the last 8 months thanks to the Recovery Act funding.

“What an exciting announcement,” Sen. Carper said. “When I voted for the bill I hoped it would improve lives, create jobs, and help rebuild our economy. Stimulus funding has done all of those things and made a big difference in Delaware and I am excited about all of the opportunities.”

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“We are on track to strengthen our economy and get people back to work,” Sen. Kaufman said. “As more money is received and spent in Delaware more jobs will be saved and created. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. The Recovery Act is the best way to get us there. I’m happy to report, with this milestone, that the Recovery Act is making a real difference in the lives of virtually every Delawarean. We are not out of the woods yet – but we’re a heck of a lot closer than we would have been.”

Today’s event includes funding announced as of Oct. 21, 2009, totaling $1,058,116,773. This breaks down to approximately $688 million in formula funding, $214 million in discretionary funds, and $155,555,554 in tax cuts. Since April, 95% of working families have benefited from the Recovery Act’s tax credits. In Delaware, it accounts for more than $22 million per month.

“The only way we are going to solve the challenges facing us is by growing Delaware’s economy,” Gov. Markell said. “The ARRA funding is helping to move Delaware’s economy forward by creating good jobs to get Delawareans back to work and funding important infrastructure improvements. While this funding is being put to good use, it does not solve the significant challenges we face in responsibly balancing the state’s operating budget. That’s why we are working hard every day to make Delaware the best state in the nation for starting and growing businesses.”

“New Castle County is grateful for the stimulus funding that is helping us create new jobs, make our county facilities more energy efficient, and going towards other valuable projects to help us recover from the great recession,” said Chris Coons, New Castle County Executive.

The event took place at the Newark Day Nursery and Children’s Center (NDNCC). NDNCC has received $7,520 in ARRA funds to date to pay for childcare costs for out-of-work parents looking for employment. This funding comes from the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), which has been announced to receive $4.5 million in ARRA funding.

“Many of our families are in financial pain. As a non-profit early learning center, we are struggling to meet the expanded demand from working families for reduced tuition fees and still balance our budget,” said Bill Carl, executive director of NDNCC. “ The additional stimulus funds gave us an ability to expand our capacity to support families so they can adjust to less work hours, keep working or seek work, while feeling confident their child is safe and in a learning environment.”

Other speakers included Lt. Governor Matt Denn and Shani Patrick, a working mother from Newark with four children at NDNCC. Rep. John Kowalko (D-Newark South), Rep. Nick Manolakos (R-Limestone Hills), and Newark City Mayor Vance Funk also attended.

Source: Senators Ted Kaufman