An incredible opportunity exists for businesses to hire new employees and get a large percentage of their wages and payroll taxes paid for through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Here are some important points about the program:

1. It applies to any business and job seeker anywhere in the US.
2. Some localities have resources that screen the job seekers to qualify their eligibility.
3. Businesses that receive federal funding do not qualify for these funds.
4. The program pays 80% of wages and payroll taxes through September 30, 2010.
5. There is no limit on the number of positions you can fill through this program.

This is a phenomenal opportunity for businesses that are hiring or are thinking about hiring to save a tremendous amount of money and make these hiring decisions sooner rather than later.

Here in the East Bay Area through the efforts of the Tri Valley Business Council, The Tri-Valley Community Foundation, The Pleasanton Weekly and Alameda Country District 1 Supervisor Scott Haggerty a great resource is available at American Family Recovery Project. At this website you can learn more, find new qualified employees, find jobs or provide a source to pre-screen job candidates. They also have a number of related job seeker events and employer information sessions where you can learn more about the program.

The screening process is crucial; employers are not allowed to ask the questions that would indicate eligibility. This is where local resources play a vital role in taking advantage of this program. Here in the Tri-Valley we are very fortunate to have a great resource to help us take advantage of this program. I want to thank Toby Brink at the Tri Valley Business Council for taking the time to explain this program to me. I am looking forward to attending one of the future information sessions and will plan to share more information as it becomes available.

Resources:

• American Family Recovery Project Website
• Employer Fact Sheet
• Recovery.gov Website