Town Hall meetings for state agencies to provide the public with information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the impact it will have on Arkansas. Presentations will be followed by a Question and Answer session.

Presenters include representatives from the Office of the Governor, Department of Human Services, Department of Workforce Services, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Department of Education, Arkansas Natural Resource Commission and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.

Batesville, Arkansas
Thursday, May 21, 2009
10:00 am
White River Planning and Development District Office
1652 White Drive
Batesville, AR 72503

Jonesboro, Arkansas
Thursday, May 21, 2009
3:00 pm
East Arkansas Planning and Development District Office
2905 King Street
Jonesboro, AR 72403

Las Cruces, New Mexico
Thursday, May 21, 2009
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
NW Farm & Ranch Museum
4100 Dripping Springs Road

Note – to view past regional presentations, click here.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Thursday, May 28, 2009
9:00 am
Iberville Building
627 North 4th Street
Room 1-127
Baton Rouge, LA 70802.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
9:00 am
Iberville Building
627 North 4th Street
Room 1-129
Baton Rouge, LA 70802.

-Pilot ten programs to train at-risk youth for technical, construction and other skilled jobs in eco-friendly industries that are expected to help fuel economic recovery.
-Place at least 1,000 at-risk youth 16-24 into green jobs over the next 20 months.

Applications are available on the California Employment Development Department website.

Proposals will be accepted from one of two lead agencies: 1) Local Workforce Investment Boards or 2) Community College Districts or local Community Colleges. The lead applicant must demonstrate a partnership with at least one nonprofit organization and an employer.

Proposals should be mailed to:
ATTN: California Green Jobs Corps, SFP Workforce Services Branch, MIC 88
Employment Development Department
PO Box 826880
Sacramento, CA 94280-0001

Seeks brief ideas or concept proposals with innovative ways to use a portion of Mississippi's employment and training.

-Build partnerships to address workforce needs of businesses and training needs of workers.
-Identify strategies for high-demand industry sectors in local areas.
-Enable low-income, displaced, and under-skilled adults to acquire the knowledge and skills for success in high-growth industries.
-Identify regional approaches to couple workforce development with the local economic development strategies.
-Meet immediate and/or long-term needs for trained workers in demand occupations.
-Target projects at groups who are not currently fully engaged in the workforce.
-Implement online training programs which will target high-growth occupations.

Submit brief ideas or proposals that demonstrate how the idea or concept will assist the state in meeting the goals. Submissions are limited to five single-sided, double-spaced pages on 8.5 x 11 inch paper.

Electronically in Word or PDF format by email to stimulus@mdes.ms.gov

A public seminar featuring Florida Economic Stimulus Special Advisor Don Winstead and senior-level state officials to discuss how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will impact Florida’s businesses.

There will be time reserved at the end of the day for one-on-one appointments with state agency senior level officials. To schedule an appointment, please RSVP to (850) 487-0915 or email osdhelp@dms.state.fl.us.

You can find a list of all the attending state officials here.

Miami, Florida
Saturday, May 30, 2009
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Florida International University
Wertheim Performing Arts Center
11200 Southwest 8th Street
Miami, FL 33174

An application workshop to assist cities, counties and non-profit agencies learn how to apply for the $13 million stimulus dollars available through the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. Eligible activities include up to 18 months in assistance paying rent, assistance in paying security and utility deposits, hotel vouchers (up to 30 days) and moving-cost assistance.

Montgomery, Alabama
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
10:30 am
Alabama Center for Commerce
7th Floor Auditorium
401 Adams Ave # 1st
Montgomery, AL 36104

Albuquerque, New Mexico
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Thursday, June 11, 2009
8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Embassy Suites Albuquerque
1000 Woodward Pl. N.E. – Sandi Ballroom
Albuquerque, NM 87102

Friday, June 12, 2009
Technical Colleges in Albany, Hinesville and Warner Robins
9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday, June 13, 2009
Technical Colleges in Atlanta, Athens and Calhoun
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
*Exact locations, including building/room #’s will be provided by mid-May. Check here for the latest information.

Expanded the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program to include workers in the service and fishing industries in addition to manufacturing workers previously covered. Eligible training includes occupational skills, basic or remedial education and training in literacy or English as a second language to assist in obtaining a new job or career. TAA helps workers who have lost jobs due to increased foreign competition by providing a variety of benefits and services including job training, income support and job search and relocation allowances.

To learn more and/or to fill out an online petition,visit the US Department of Labor’s website.

Eligible workers who have filed petitions on or after May 18, 2009 are eligible for the Recovery Act – expanded provisions of the program, with the exception of the additional tax credit available for health care expenses, which will be available to all participants.

Unemployed workers can also obtain re-employment assistance online through http://www.employflorida.com or may visit their local One-Stop Career Center for additional information and services. A list of One-Stop locations can be found here.

Funding is available for low-income families to weatherize their homes by installing measures that cut energy costs. Measures may include: air-sealing through adding weather stripping and caulking windows, installing attic and sidewall insulation, and other activities designed to cut energy consumption in the home, reducing heating and electrical demand.

Individuals and families making up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines or about $44,100 a year for a family of four are eligible for this program.

If you are eligible, contact the Mississippi Department of Human Services (800) 421-0762 to find the community action agency in your area.

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is designed to help low-income families control their energy costs through the installation of weatherization materials and consumer education. Measures may include: caulking, weather stripping, adding ceiling, wall, and floor insulation, patching holes in the building envelope, duct work and tune-up, repair or replacement of energy inefficient heating and cooling systems.

The WAP is administered through 33 sub recipients which collectively cover all 254 counties of the state. Call toll free (888) 606-8889 or download the list of sub recipients (PDF) for a WAP provider near you.