The Recovery Act: Transforming the American Economy Through Innovation
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is modernizing transportation, investing in wind and solar energies, and putting funds in broadband connectivity.
8/25/2010
The act's three-fold approach - to rescue the economy, to put the country on a path to recovery, and to reinvest in the country's long-term economic future - is already stimulating the economy. This August report from the Offices of the President and Vice President provides an update on the progress of recovery.
The act's transportation investments focus on renewables. The government has invested more than $2 billion in advanced battery and electric drive component manufacturing. In 2009, there were only two advanced vehicle battery plants in the country. By 2012, there will be 30. The Advanced Vehicles Manufacturing program gives another $2.4 billion to Fisker, Nissan, and Tesla to build electric car factories in Delaware, Tennessee, and California, respectively.
Section 1603 grants are boosting wind and solar energy capacity. More than $3 billion in grants have been extended to more than 100 wind projects in 30 states. The program also supports more than 200 megawatts of solar projects that are already delivering power to consumers.
To improve information technologies, the government granted $4.4 billion to the Department of Commerce and $2.5 billion to the Department of Agriculture to improve broadband connectivity in rural areas. Millions of Americans will have improved access to broadband due to those funds.
Recent Project Announcements

Valmont Industries Expands Jasper, Tennessee, Production Operations
10/25/2026
Hyundai Translead Expands Joliet, Illinois, Manufacturing Operations
10/25/2026
Mitsubishi Power America Expands Chatham County, Georgia, Operations
10/25/2026
Niagara Power Transformer Expands Buffalo, New York, Manufacturing Operations
10/25/2026
Nucor Expands Decatur, Alabama, Manufacturing Operations
10/24/2026
US Conec Plans Hickory, North Carolina, Manufacturing Operations
10/24/2026
Westinghouse Electric Company Expands Richland County, South Carolina, Advanced Nuclear Fuel Operations
10/24/2026
Blue Bird Corporation Expands Peach County, Georgia, Manufacturing Operations
10/24/2026
Silco Fire & Security Plans Bullitt County, Kentucky, Operations
10/24/2026
Conair Expands Franklin, Pennsylvania, Production Operations
10/23/2026
Phoenix Tailings Plans Rochester, New York, Rare Earth Mineral Separation Operations
10/22/2026
Barge Forest Products Expands Macon, Mississippi, Sawmill Operations
10/22/2026
ITT Goulds Pumps Plans Memphis, Tennessee, Manufacturing-Distribution Operations
10/22/2026
Discovery 2 Scale Plans Nambé Pueblo, New Mexico, Headquarters Operations
10/22/2026
Most Read
-
Top States for Doing Business in 2026: Where Competitive Advantage Becomes Project Certainty
Q3 2026
-
Why Great Sites Get Eliminated: The Critical Role of Information Presentation in Site Selection
Q3 2026
-
What Site Selectors Discuss After the Site Visit Ends
Q3 2026
-
2025’s Top States for Business: How the Winners Are Outpacing the Rest
Q3 2025
-
Space and Defense Are Becoming One Industrial Ecosystem
Q3 2026
-
Industrial Location Decisions Follow the Freight
Q3 2026
-
Economic Developer Role Shifting from Deal-Making to Systems Stewardship
Q1 2026