You can track the stimulus spending

photo credit: psyberartist

Wondering where your tax dollars are going?  You can track the stimulus spending in the U.S. from the comfort of your home, with a few computer clicks.

The federal stimulus package passed earlier this year to authorize $787 billion in spending – also known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – includes a number of renewable energy provisions to encourage creation of green jobs, home-grown power and energy independence.  Not to mention funds to help boost the economy out of the recession.

Recovery.org is an online tool, run by a Seattle, Washington-based company called Onvia, that can be tapped into by anyone to obtain information regarding green stimulus projects at all levels of government, from local to state.  A handy, interactive map shows you, state by state, the number of active projects going on (over 21,800, valued at $63.28 billion), and gives you the ability to comment on each individually listed project.  Trust me, there are some heated debates going on over there!

The similarly-named Recovery.gov also allows you to track the stimulus spending, but is a much less interactive site.  Yes, it is government-owned and operated too.  You’ll find news releases and general information concerning spending breakdowns and project timelines.  Lots of graphs and charts are offered, as well.  All of this is pursuant to President Obama’s pledge of transparency in government.

Commentators have noted that the two websites to track stimulus spending serve unique purposes.  While recovery.gov may be used by taxpayers interested in how the government is investing their money, recovery.org is more geared towards providing information for companies that may wish to apply for government contracts.

In other words, the “inside scoop” on where the new projects are going in, and whether they have or will be funded, will be available.  Businesses will then be able to compete for the green jobs that are offered through a number of government agencies and divisions, whether at the Department of Human Resources in Washington State, or the governor’s mansion in Florida.

Online resources like recovery.org and recovery.gov are yet another tool in the arsenal helping to Build, Baby Build a new, clean future: for businesses, government agencies and taxpayers alike.

Do you know where the green stimulus projects are – what they cost?  You could!

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