How Much Money is Available?
The federal allocation of funding is $787 billion. Actual spending will total $575 billion, and will include direct aid to people affected by the economic downturn. This includes increases in unemployment, food stamp benefits, COBRA coverage and job training. The rest of the funding, $212 billion, will be dedicated to tax relief. This includes tax credits for individuals and families, first-time homebuyers, car buyers, students of higher education and business people. See how money is being dispersed nationwide at Recovery.gov. This federal website will be the main vehicle that provides each and every citizen the ability to monitor how and where funds are distributed.

What is Available for Florida?
The funding set aside for the state of Florida includes millions of dollars of funding in areas such as community and economic development, environment, health, human services, public safety and transportation. The state funding applies to the programs sponsored by the state and some of the funding will funnel to the communities through the program themselves. The funding that will come directly to counties and other local governments are separate and not all funding will be available for all governmental entities. This chart shows the availability of funding in program areas affecting Florida's communities.

What is Available for Pinellas County?
Local governments, universities, businesses, etc. may apply and receive funding based on numerous criteria. The Recovery Act Funding Guide, prepared by National Association of Counties (NACo), shows the areas targeted for different types of funding.

What Role Does My Government Play?
Your Pinellas County Government is responsible for application of funds that will be used for projects specifically sponsored by the departments that operate under the purview of the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. This does not include the elected appointing authorities, such as the Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Supervisor of Elections or any of the other county authorities, such as the School Board. The projects that do fall under the Board of County Commisssioners (BCC) would include those related to the departments of Public Works, Community Development, Health and Human Services, Planning, etc.

What is Pinellas County applying for?
The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners is applying for funding to support a host of projects, including grant funding for community development, homeless emergency shelters and funding for roads and transportation projects. Information on the funding being applied for will be posted on this website, as will the awarding of the funding. Track the funding that Pinellas County Government is applying for at the Pinellas County Applied Fund Tracker.

Why doesn’t Pinellas County pursue all available funding?
Pinellas County Government is only eligible for specific projects. It is applying for all categories available to it that are deemed eligible. There are also other government entities responsible for funding application.

How will funds be distributed?
The Act distributes funds through already established channels whenever possible to expedite its availability. Most funding will flow through the state agency that normally handles that type of funding. For example, funding for meals for seniors will go through the Department of Elder Affairs and funding for road projects will go through the Department of Transportation. Some funds will be disbursed directly to local entities based on pre-existing formulas, such as special education funding to school districts. Local stimulus funding will provide funding for local transportation projects, support of social programs related to health care, domestic violence, housing, etc. Watch the Pinellas County Awarded Fund Tracker as funds are awarded to those agencies/departments under the auspices of the Board of County Commission.

When will we receive the funds?
The timing of the funding varies. Funds will be disbursed over a two-year period – the current federal fiscal year (through September, 2009) and FY 2009 -10 (October – September). Some of the funding has already been announced and awarded.

Where Can Businesses Go For Help?
The Pinellas County Economic Development website offers information, links to helpful programs and resources on the ways individuals and businesses can benefit from job training and business assistance programs.