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Oct 12, 2009 6:52 pm US/Central
Minn. Says Stimulus Supported 11,800 Jobs
ST. PAUL (AP) ―
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Roughly 11,800 jobs in the state were saved through the end of September thanks to federal stimulus dollars.
AP
The federal stimulus has provided paychecks this year for nearly 12,000 jobs in Minnesota schools, prisons, state psychiatric institutions and construction on roads and sewer and water systems.
State finance officials reported Monday that the stimulus created or saved 11,800 jobs through the end of September. The state has spent $1.6 billion, or about a third of the $4.7 billion it stands to get from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Minnesota's unemployment rate stood at 8 percent in August, with more than 120,000 jobs lost this year.
"It's the hope that it gives people jobs now, and then as the economy recovers those jobs are sustainable on their own without federal assistance," said Tom Hanson, Minnesota's Commissioner of Management and Budget, which oversees distribution of the funds.
The White House predicted in February that the stimulus would create or save 66,000 Minnesota jobs. Based on the rate of jobs created so far, the total is likely to be closer to 35,000. But Weber said the numbers aren't comparable because the federal calculation included jobs linked indirectly to the stimulus, while the state tallied only jobs paid with the money.
The stimulus had the biggest impact on the state's education system, followed by human services and correctional programs.
Stimulus money paid for nearly 6,000 jobs in public schools and state colleges and universities, including teachers, social workers, administrators, counselors and school nurses.
The money also covered more than 1,200 full-time jobs at state mental health facilities, the Minnesota Sex Offender Program, county jails, a privately run prison and related programs. The positions included physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, prison guards and support staff.
Other details:
• $16.6 million provided the equivalent of 1,335 full-time positions in youth summer employment and support jobs from May through September. The number of people employed by the spending was higher because many of the jobs were not full-time.
• $1.7 million went to hire 83 workers at state Work Force Centers designed to help the jobless find new employment.
"We prepare them, like writing a resume. Showing them where to go and find work. [Asking them,] do you have the necessary skills to get a decent job?" said Luis Brown-Pena, area manager of the St. Paul Work Force Center.
• 16 million went to 152 construction jobs on wastewater treatment plants, and another $6 million provided 99 construction jobs on drinking water systems.
• $300,000 covered home-delivered meals for seniors, helping retain 2.6 full-time jobs.
State agencies receiving stimulus money were required to report spending and job numbers through Sept. 30 to federal agencies on Saturday. They submitted more than 200 reports. The next update is due in January.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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