Since February of last year when the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act was signed into law many of us who work in the
entrepreneurial and innovation community have been wondering how we were
missed. As of today over $105 B has been paid out in grants, loans and
government contracts, a figure that you can track daily at this site. In
addition $163 B has been paid out for tax benefits and $128 B for
entitlement programs. With this money over 682,226 people are reported
to have moved into a stimulus generated or retained position. Roads
are being paved, bridges rebuilt, community centers restored and lots
and lots of training dollars with the Department of Labor paying out
over $61 B.
If you spend some time looking at the funding awarded by community, by state, by region you will see very little of the words entrepreneurship and innovation. That is the use of “innovation” that means new companies and jobs rather then just not doing things the old way – which is the form used in almost every funding announcement - because really nothing has worked in the past, or so people say (that will be a future discussion).
To read the full, original article click on this link: America Competes « Economic Architecture
Author: Rich Overmoyer
