By Larry Jones
September 14, 2009

State and local governments are required to submit the first quarterly report on October 10 on how stimulus funds awarded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) are being used and how many new jobs are being created. To help state and local governments meet the registration deadline and fulfill the reporting requirements, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has established a Federal Liaison Project that will offer to place federal employees on'site in each state to assist officials responsible for coordinating the preparation and submission of reports. OMB will also offer to place a limited number of federal employees in local governments for the same purpose – the top 35 cities and top six counties receiving the largest share of stimulus dollars.

In a September 3 memorandum, OMB told State Recovery Act Coordinators that a team would start reaching out to them on September 8 to identify their reporting needs and offer personalized assistance throughout the reporting process. Under Section 1512 of ARRA, states, cities and counties receiving stimulus grants must register and submit quarterly reports on: who is receiving ARRA funds and in what amounts; what projects are funded; and the status of completion and impact on job creation.

High Volume Coordinators (HVC) from the federal level will make the initial contact to states and local areas to find out if they are interested in having a federal liaison assigned to work onsite with them starting September 21 and running through October 20.

The role of the HVC and Federal Liaison is to facilitate expedited communications between state and local governments grant recipients and increase the number of recipients that successfully complete the reporting process. This is being done in addition to existing federal assistance made available through call centers and agency personnel which are available to all grant recipients.

Local governments who are the prime recipients of stimulus funds under ARRA must register for reporting in accordance with the Act. Also, organizations receiving ARRA funds that have been delegated to report by the prime recipients are required to report. Registration opened on August 17 and can be completed on line at www.federalreporting.gov. All city grant recipients are urged to register immediately if not done so already. Section 1512 reporting requirements apply to programs identified under Division A of ARRA. Programs identified under Division B are exempt from the reporting requirements.