Projects Funded in the Montgomery, AL, Metropolitan Area by the Emergency Jobs Appropriations Act of 1983

In response to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the status of projects funded by the Emergency Jobs Appropriations Act in the Montgomery, Alabama, metropolitan area as of March 31, 1984.

GAO found that over $5.5 million has been awarded to 33 projects in the area. Of these, 26 projects were allocated about $5.2 million for public works activities and 7 were allocated about $319,000 to provide humanitarian assistance. When the legislation was enacted, the unemployment rate for the area was 12.9 percent and, a year after enactment, the unemployment rate had dropped to 9.6 percent. GAO found that 33 percent of the awarded funds were spent within the first year of the act, and an estimated 549 people were employed on 24 of the projects that had begun. Efforts by program officials to fulfill the legislative mandate to create new employment opportunities for the unemployed varied. In the Parks and Recreational Area Development Grant Program, all of the employees on three projects had been unemployed. However, on another project which required certain skills to operate equipment that were not available locally, the contract was awarded to a firm located in another state. In addition to the short-term employment opportunities resulting from the projects, government facilities have been repaired and maintained, permanent facilities have been constructed, and public services have been provided.