With American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, Pennsylvania is building lasting assets. Recovery Act awards are helping to pave roads and fix bridges, fund clean water projects, strengthen a public education system that continues to produce academic gains for students, and improve our state's environment and energy efficiency. The Recovery Act is also helping those most in need through extended unemployment benefits, food assistance and health care. In the process, Pennsylvania is creating tens of thousands of jobs. For more detailed information about projects in your county, follow the corresponding project link below. In instances where projects impact more than one county, the project and funding amount may appear in other county summaries. Many other projects in the county are funded by Recovery Act dollars distributed directly from federal agencies. Information on those projects is available at http://www.recovery.gov/.
The project will increase energy efficiency in homes by reducing energy costs and increasing comfort while safeguarding the health and safety of the resident. Eligible applicants are those persons or families whose income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
On-site energy audits are conducted on each home to determine which of the following measures would be installed or services performed, up to an average of $6,500 per home: blower door guided air sealing to effectively locate and reduce air-leakage throughout the home; installation of attic, wall, basement and crawlspace insulation and ventilation to reduce energy loss; heating system modification or replacement to increase the efficiency and/or safety of the heating system; minor repairs, and/or health and safety measures are provided (when necessary) to allow the safe and effective installation of the weatherization measures; energy baseload reduction, including CFL and appliance replacement, and; client education on the proper use and maintenance of the installed Weatherization measures and ways to reduce energy waste everyday.
The project will weatherize 386 homes through 3/31/12.
The project provides financial assistance and services to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless or help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized. Funds will be used for activities to address the jurisdiction’s homelessness needs such as: financial assistance with rental payments; security deposits; utility payments or deposits; arrearages; moving costs; and, motel/hotel vouchers; and housing relocation and stabilization services such as case management; outreach and engagement; housing search and placement; legal services; and, credit repair.
The project consists of reconstruction of curbing and sidewalks at intersections along McConnell Street to remove architectural barriers. It also includes elimination of blighted, burned out property on a spot basis throughout Monroe County. An economic development loan will be provided to an area employer resulting in projected 31 jobs created or retained.
This project includes the replacement of approximately 3,325 feet of water mains and appurtenances.The median household income of the service area is about that of the statewide median household income.
Concrete base repair, joint repair, sealing and resurfacing from the Luzerne County line to PA 54 Interchange including restoration of the four ramps at the I-80 and PA 115 interchange in Mahoney Town
Construct curb ramps at various locations in Coolbaugh, Middle Smithfield, Pocono, Polk, Smithfield and Stroud Townships, the Boroughs of East Stroudsburg and Stroudsburg in Monroe County
Restoration of PA 33, including Sciota and Snydersville ramps, from structure over Bossardsville Road including section of US 209/PA 33 to I-80 in Hamilton and Stroud Townships
The project will provide financial literacy classes resulting in the formation of new savings accounts. It will also provide for subsidized health care for children and employment training. It will assist families in avoiding eviction and provide services for individuals needing help in obtaining a driver’s license in order to acquire or maintain employment.
* Totals reflect only funding flowing through state agencies.
Direct Benefits to Families
How PA Benefits
People Helped in Monroe County
Explanation of Benefits
Reporting as of
Food Assistance
20,000
The Recovery Act will help low income individuals and families with a 13.69% increase in the maximum Food Stamp (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program or SNAP) benefit. It also suspends the 3 month limit on assistance for many unemployed childless adults.
March 2010
Health Insurance
26,257
Low income children and adults will continue to have access to health care through Medical Assistance.
March 2010
Health Insurance for Unemployed
8,300
The Recovery Act will help make health care available to individuals who are involuntarily separated from their jobs. A COBRA subsidy will pay 65 percent of the monthly premium for individuals earning less than $145,000 and couples earning less than $290,000.
March 2010
Taxpayer Relief
63,726
Individuals earning up to $75,000 will receive a $400 tax credit in 2009 and 2010. Married couples filing jointly and earning up to $150,000 will receive a $800 tax credit.
October 2009
Unemployment Compensation
6,000
The Recovery Act will help these Pennsylvanians with a $25 per week increase in unemployment benefits through the rest of the year. It also provides additional weeks of benefits.
March 2010
All numbers are estimates, and will fluctuate over time.
The Stimulus Oversight Commission reviews, monitors and advises PA’s plans for stimulus spending to assure that citizens get the best from the program. Learn more.
Hotline
Concerned about suspected illegal or irresponsible actions regarding Recovery spending? Call 877-888-7927. Learn more.
Do you want to view Recovery project contracts?
Contracts awarded for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds by state agencies are posted online through the Pennsylvania Treasury’s office. Search for ARRA contracts.
