Contact Information

  • Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gregoire announces more than $3.4 million in federal recovery grants

For Immediate Release: May 29, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced $3.4 million that is now available for Washington state under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to support national service positions. The funding will support nearly 300 AmeriCorps service positions in local communities to help meet social needs resulting from the economic crisis.

�This funding couldn�t come at a better time for our hurting communities,� Gregoire said. �Working together with AmeriCorps members, we will ensure that those who are hungry are fed, our elderly are taken care of and our schools and homes are safe, healthy environments for our children and neighbors.�

The Washington Commission for National and Community Service will help distribute the funds. The following agencies and organizations have already been selected to receive grants.

Employment Security Department - Washington Service Corps: $1.6 million
Department of Ecology - Washington Conservation Corps: $488,000
Workforce Development Council of Snohomish County: $259,300
Employment Security Department - Washington Reading Corps: $392,000
Educational Service District #101 - Spokane Service Team: $211,000
Clallam County Family YMCA � Clallam AmeriCorps: $196,000
United Way of Cowlitz County � Cowlitz AmeriCorps Network: $223,000
Pasco School District � Regional Service Corps: $2,500
Solid Ground � JustServe: $68,000

The funding will help serve a variety of needs, from expanding housing services, to increasing job training opportunities, to housing weatherization and energy-efficiency education.

About AmeriCorps

Each year AmeriCorps provides opportunities for 75,000 Americans to give back to their communities through service. In the upcoming 2009-2010 program year, there are national service opportunities for more than 1,400 individuals to serve across Washington state. To learn more about AmeriCorps, visit http://www.ofm.wa.gov/servewa or call (360) 902-0656.

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Washington state is administering the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire created a Web site, www.recovery.wa.gov, so every Washingtonian can see where tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Obama has appointed Vice President Biden to oversee all states� recovery efforts and to root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars are put to good use and recharge the economy.