Secretary Solis and Congresswoman Matsui Announce Recovery Grants for Green Jobs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

CONTACT: MARA LEE

(202) 225-7163

Secretary Solis and Congresswoman Matsui Announce Recovery Grants for Green Jobs
Money Helps Put Sacramento on Path to Being Clean-Tech Capital

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) joined with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis to announce the release of a $92,820 grant to the Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps (SRCC) to expand their YouthBuild program. The SRCC's competitive award will enable the organization - in partnership with the North State Building Industry Association (BIA), and the California Environmental Technology Certification Program (CalCERT) - to expand its existing YouthBuild program.

SRCC's YouthBuild program helps keep local low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities safe by rehabilitating existing housing while also training students for careers in the construction industry. With the aid from this award, the YouthBuild staff will incorporate a home energy rating system (HERS) component to their program. The rating system will allow homeowners to make decisions on how to improve their home's energy efficiency. Participants will benefit by obtaining this competitive skill as they begin their careers.

"The Recovery Act has been beneficial for Sacramentans," said Congresswoman Matsui. "As we are awarded these grants, we make investments in the local economy and initiate programs that will serve our community for generations. With this federal funding, we are able to advance careers in the construction and clean-tech industries that will help Sacramento position itself as a leader in the global clean-tech economy. The program being funded by today's grant award will accelerate our region's path to being a clean-tech capital and bring local residents to the forefront of the green jobs market."

"These Recovery funds will be instrumental in helping to continue the progress Youthbuild has made thus far," said Dwight Washabaugh, Executive Director of SRCC. "YouthBuild has had great success in training our children's generation in a variety of skills to put them on a successful career track. I am especially proud to see that green technology is coming to Sacramento, as I am sure it will bolster our employment, attract national industries, and help the community reduce emissions. Thank you to Congresswoman Matsui for supporting YouthBuild and Sacramentans."

The grants being disbursed are part of a larger release of funds authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which Congresswoman Matsui supported in the House earlier this year. Through ARRA grants, Congress and the Administration have created and preserved regional jobs helping to stimulate the Sacramento economy and improve the community for generations to come. For a list of Recovery funding coming to the Sacramento region, please visit www.matsui.house.gov/recovery.

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