Recovery Act/Stimulus

The Recovery Act of 2009:
New money for workforce services in Seattle-King County

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Recovery Act or economic stimulus) was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. The Recovery Act brought more than $8.5 million to our local community for job training, employment services and summer jobs for youth--funding that has been spent quickly, effectively, and transparently.

This page offers up-to-date information on Recovery Act dollars that support employment and training for people in Seattle-King County. 

ARRA news from the WDC:

  • Workforce Results for Seattle-King County: A report on how the WDC is using stimulus funds for Seattle-King County. Learn more...
  • First students graduate from college cohorts purchased with ARRA funds. Learn more..
  • Green jobs grants! These partnerships will train as many as 2,000 people in King County and Puget Sound for jobs in the "green economy." Learn more...
  • Youth@Work 2009--the ARRA-funded summer jobs program for young people--was a success. Almost 900 Seattle-King County young people worked in paid internships this summer and learned a wide variety of skills. Learn more...
     

What is the WDC's role?

The Workforce Development Council is responsible for overseeing Recovery Act (ARRA) dollars that are allocated through the Department of Labor under the Workforce Investment Act and then through the state of Washington for our area. We won additional Recovery Act funds through national grant competitions.

Other recovery funding besides that overseen directly by the WDC impacts workforce services, job creation and social services. We are working with other systems receiving Recovery Act funds to make the most of this opportunity for the community.

What are the rules of ARRA funding?

Recovery Act workforce funds are intended to help a large number of people return to family-sustaining work and to put young people to work during the summer.
These funds (like the Workforce Investment Act funds we receive each year) are in three streams: WIA adult, for low-income individuals in general; WIA dislocated worker, for people who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own; and WIA youth, for at-risk young people ages 16 to 24.

How much money and when?

WIA FUNDING STREAM WDC of Seattle-King County Allocation:
Adult $1,322,940
Dislocated Worker $4,075,428
Youth $3,111,122
Total $8,509,490


Competing for more dollars

In addition, the Recovery Act released $750 million nationwide in competitive grants for workforce services in high-demand sectors, $500 million of which was designated for green jobs. The WDC led or partnered in three successful grant applications so far.

Thanks to these efforts, an estimated $10.2 million is available to provide job training to more than 900 people in Puget Sound in new green skills and occupations that will be in demand as the economy improves. Learn more…

How have workforce funds been spent?

The majority of the funding was contracted out to service providers and some has remained at the WDC for oversight and planning. The WDC used an open, competitive Request for Proposals process to select service providers.

In addition, the WDC invited colleges and training providers to submit proposals for cohort funding. As a result of this competitive process, the WDC purchased ten cohorts at local community and technical colleges in fields such as health care, information technology, and project management. Learn more about cohorts...