How the stimulus is helping a small rural community in South Carolina

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

AIKEN, S.C. – A majority of people in South Carolina didn't vote for Barack Obama and many didn't want any part of his stimulus cash, and folks in a particularly poor, hard-hit swath near the Georgia line were no exception. Until the money showed up.

About $1.6 billion was used to create 3,100 temporary jobs in a rural corner of the state cleaning up the Savannah River Site, which already employed about 9,000 and churned out radioactive metals for the nation's nuclear arsenal during the Cold War.

"I am convinced it's what kept Aiken's economy stronger than most communities during these poor economic times," said David Jamison, president of the chamber of commerce in that solidly Republican city just north of the nuclear facility. "I think it has worked exactly like the way Washington had in mind. ... I see it every single day."

...

So far, though, that chunk of the $787 billion appears to be doing what the president promised: keep unemployment rates already among the highest in the nation from skyrocketing and give residents some hope that they could fight through the worst economic decline since the Great Depression.

...

Thousands of applicants flocked to job fairs and waited hours in the hot sun for a chance to speak with Savannah River recruiters. To one of those new employees, it wasn't just a job opportunity — it was a saving grace.

...

Megan Elliott had just graduated from college when she learned about the new positions. Now, she sees her job doing communications for Savannah River as a resume-builder. The 26-year-old had sent her resume to companies from New York to California before being hired in June 2009.

...

Dennis Saylor, who chairs local Republican efforts in Aiken County, said ... "Aiken County was strongly against President Obama, but we are benefiting from his administration right now through some of the stimulus money."

...

Meanwhile, at Jess Walker's Carolina Bar-B-Que, as many as 800 people line up every day for pulled pork, hash and rice at his family owned restaurant just miles from Savannah River's gates.

Business here has always been brisk since Walker opened in 1969. But Walker said his stream of customers has managed to stay steady even during the darkest of economic times, an even keel he attributes to the employees doing stimulus-funded work at Savannah River.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100416/ap_on_bi_ge/us_stimulus_nuclear_jobs

[scandal 951]

Dennis Saylor, who chairs local Republican efforts in Aiken County, said ... "Aiken County was strongly against President Obama, but we are benefiting from his administration right now through some of the stimulus money."

How very honest of him to say so.

[alienlovechild 75]

How very honest of him to say so.

Would have been more accurate if this tidbit hadn't been deleted.

"The cost? Around $500,000 per job — but that money covers overhead and other costs at the site."

Hardly, an example for the rest of the country. Isn't the cleanup a glorified temp job?

[Texanadian 10]

You know what? I bet the majority of people there still won't vote for Obama next election.

Although I was more inclined to spend 1 trillion by eliminating income taxes on everybody for one year than I was to spend 700 billion on the stimulus, at least there is some good coming out of it. Better than how we spent the money in Houston. Our stimulus money went into converting HOV roads into toll roads.

[scandal 951]

I was more inclined to spend 1 trillion by eliminating income taxes on everybody for one year

Not enough.

In FY 2008, IRS collected $2.7 trillion in total taxes, of which $1.8 trillion was personal income taxes+FICA.

[alienlovechild 75]

Better than how we spent the money in Houston. Our stimulus money went into converting HOV roads into toll roads.

The stimulus package called for shovel ready projects and transportation projects are long term leaving mostly maintainance projects and projects that pretty far long in development. The HOV to HOT is quite cost effective compared to other projects. Atlanta is has an HOV to HOT conversion in the works now.

[Minya's wife 25]

I don't now about assistance to communities, but stimulus money has helped us afford to buy a house and now a brand spanking new energy efficient french-door refrigerator. I haz a happee.

[Texanadian 10]

Not enough.

In FY 2008, IRS collected $2.7 trillion in total taxes, of which $1.8 trillion was personal income taxes+FICA.

That's income tax and FICA tax. I was referring to just income taxes.