skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Ripple Effect of Stimulus Funds in VA

play audio
Play

Monday, May 24, 2010   

ROCKY MOUNT, Va. - Creating jobs, helping small businesses and keeping families in their homes - those are just a few of the ways that federal economic stimulus funds have aided communities in Virginia, according to Jon Morris. He's executive director for STEP, Inc., a community action agency in Franklin and Patrick counties. The group has issued a new report tracking the stimulus money it received that shows an unexpected boost for countless others during the recession.

In addition to creating 34 jobs within his agency, Morris says they were able to expand programs, creating a ripple effect in the communities they serve.

"Just last year, we spent well over a half-million dollars just in subcontractors. Most of that was through our weatherization program. That's a significant amount of money for our local HVAC companies, our roofers, our electrical companies."

In 2009, Morris says his agency pumped more than $1 million into Virginia's economy by hiring local businesses for construction and renovation jobs, as well as purchasing local products.

In addition, Morris says his group was able to share funds with some nonprofit groups in the area hit especially hard by the recession.

"We were able to award $50,000 dollars to a local organization here called Helping Hands. We awarded $25,000 dollars to the Stepping Stones Ministry, which operates a soup kitchen."

In all, Step, Inc. awarded more than $111,000 dollars to local nonprofits, according to Morris.

The report, "IMPACT 2010: How STEP's unique programs do more than help those in need," is available online at www.stepincva.com.




get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

play sound

New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021