Continuing on the Recovery Summer and Stimulus: State by State, we head to Maine.
Quick Maine facts:
- In January of 2009, the unemployment rate in Maine was 7.3%. As of July 31, 2010, the unemployment rate was 8.1% (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- According to Recovery.gov, Maine has received only 1,902 awards. This has resulted in $1,235,206,424 being spent to create/save 2,074.45* jobs (Source: Recovery.gov)
- As of July 2010, the labor force in Maine shrunk by 10,677 people since January of 2009. While the labor force has decreased, the unemployment rate has increased. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- According to the Recovery Summer Map, Maine boasts zero “Summer of Recovery” projects!
- The number of people employed in Maine has fallen by 15,420 people since January of 2009! (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- The Obama administration projected the change in jobs by December 31, 2010 to be +15,000 jobs. To date, Maine has lost 8,500 jobs. (Source: Ways & Means Republicans)
The employment trend in Maine has not been good. After a sharp decline throughout the beginning of 2009, the employment situation stabilized throughout much of that year and throughout the beginning of 2010. By mid-spring of 2010, the employment situation took another turn for the worst and it is evident that the “Summer of Recovery” had no positive effects on the state. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Has the Recovery Act done anything for Maine? No.
Has “Recovery Summer” done anything for Maine? No.
Maine has received over $1.2 billion in “stimulus” monies and has nothing to show for it. While the economic downturn in 2009 was relatively held off on the jobs front, the same can not be said of 2010. During the time that the “Summer of Recovery” was supposedly happening, the employment situation in Maine went from bad to worse and it continues to head down a dark path as 2010 wears on.
Read more on Recovery Summer and the Stimulus Effects on States.
*: The number of jobs created/saved conflicts with other government sources on Recovery.gov. This number was pulled from the latest figured offered on Recovery.gov
