ARRA AT A GLANCE
ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT
The final LED traffic signal was installed in July 2011 to complete
the citywide Traffic Signal Light Conversion Program on time and under
budget. Converting traffic lights and pedestrian signals from
incandescent bulbs to LED's reduces energy consumption by
approximately 85%. Given that signals operate 24 hours a day, at any
given moment the City saves about 7,750,000 watts of energy.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) has allowed cities across the country to address the economic crisis in a real and meaningful way. Thanks to this investment by the Obama Administration, families and businesses throughout the country have been able to reap the benefits of tax cuts and other significant financial benefits.
In Los Angeles, we are using our $611 million in Recovery dollars to create jobs, preserve existing ones and invest in long-term growth through infrastructure improvements and job training both of which will contribute to our local economy for years to come. The Stimulus program calls for unprecedented levels of accountability and transparency in government spending and the City of Los Angeles is doing its part to provide clear and accessible information about stimulus dollars at work in our communities. This website allows you to find out what's happening with Recovery dollars across the City and in your neighborhood. My office is working closely with the City Council to ensure that Recovery-funded programs and services progress in a timely and efficient manner, creating maximum benefits for all Angelenos. Please visit this Website frequently for the latest information about the "Stimulus at Work" in the City of Los Angeles. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is ARRA (Sometimes called the "Recovery Act" or "Federal Stimulus")?
President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
of 2009 ("ARRA") in February 2009, dedicating almost $787 Billion to stimulate
the economy, create or save jobs, and make significant, needed improvements to
our nation's infrastructure. ARRA is comprised of several components designed
to improve economic conditions: tax credits and assistance for individuals and
families; tax incentives and assistance for businesses; government grants and
expenditures (such as emergency housing, local transportation improvements);
and federal spending on infrastructure. Approximately $135 Billion in federal grant
funding, 17% of the total ARRA package, was made available to all state and local
governments.
How much ARRA money did the City of Los Angeles receive?
The City of Los Angeles has been awarded approximately $611 million to create or augment existing programs and services for the benefit of the people of the City of Los Angeles.
What are the City of Los Angeles' ARRA projects?
There are 109 individual projects funded by 39 grants for housing and economic
development, public safety, energy and environment projects, public services and
transportation and infrastructure improvements. Please visit the "ARRA in Your
Neighborhood" page to access a list of projects.
Is there a deadline for spending ARRA funds?
Yes. The majority of ARRA grants funding 109 projects in the City of Los Angeles must be spent by September 30, 2012. There are, however, specific grants terminating later. Each grant awarded to the City of Los Angeles has specific rules about how and when funds must be spent. ARRA grant funded programs can last one, two, three, or more years. For example, one large grant, the Smart Grid grant awarded to the Department of Water and Power, working with UCLA and USC, is a longer-term project calling for funds to be spent by 2015.
Why hasn't all the money been spent yet?
Although the City has not yet paid out all ARRA funds, the entire $611 million award has been earmarked for programs and services and is already at work. Many projects are intended to last multiple years so funds will be spent in the future only after goods or services are received by the City or projects are completed. In some cases, the City of Los Angeles was required to develop new programs or undertake new construction projects and therefore, a design phase was needed followed by legally required approvals and/or a public bidding process, which takes additional time. Find out more about ARRA spending by visiting the "ARRA in Your Neighborhood" page to access a list of projects.
Are other government agencies spending ARRA Funds in Los Angeles?
Yes. Residents and visitors to Los Angeles and the entire greater Los Angeles region are benefiting from ARRA funded projects administered by agencies other than the City of Los Angeles, including the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Agency, County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Unified School District, State of California, and many non-profit and other types of entities across the region. Please visit the Federal ARRA website to find out more about ARRA funding in Southern
California.
How is ARRA helping the City of Los Angeles?
ARRA funds are creating new programs and services for the people of Los Angeles and stretching the reach of programs that already exist. Job training, new computers for public use at libraries and recreations centers, and communication tower improvements for emergency first responders in our City, are just a few examples of the benefits. Miles of roads are being resurfaced, sidewalks and curbs rehabilitated, and public buildings are being made more energy efficient. Importantly, ARRA funds have helped to create and retain jobs in both the public and private sectors. Find out more by visiting the "ARRA in Your Neighborhood" page to access a list of projects and
to view the map of project locations.
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