The federal stimulus money is slowly starting to put Americans to work.

 A May 21 report by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure revealed that 90 days after President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law, $8.9 billion has been spent on “contracted” projects, creating 7,653 new jobs, although that number is expected to climb rapidly in the construction industry.

And at the 100-day mark, the Obama Administration said “we have obligated more than $112 billion, created more than 150,000 jobs and helped communities and tribes in every state and territory.”

Michigan is #9 so far among the states in contracted funding, getting $1.14 billion. The top 10 states in Recovery Act money spending have put to work more than half of the newly created or sustained infrastructure jobs, the report said.

Including the infrastructure money, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granhom said at the 90-day milepost that more than $3.8 billion in stimulus money has been spent in Michigan. She said in addition to money that went straight to the State of Michigan, the federal allocations have also gone into the coffers of more than 1,700 local government recipients.

The construction industry has been a major benefactor of the federal money, but hardly the only one. The state said Michigan allocations so far have included:

• $931 million for education, including Title I funding to support education for at-risk students and funding for special education services;
• $464 million in additional support for Medicaid;
• $302 million to upgrade public sewer and drinking water infrastructure;
• $243 million for weatherization assistance;
• $236 million for water and sewer infrastructure projects;
• $183 million for expanded worker training.

“Citizens in every county of our state are beginning to feel the benefits from Recovery Act funds,” said Leslee Fritz, director of the Michigan Economic Recovery Office. “In the days ahead, we’ll see additional funding creating more jobs and providing more services to those in need.”

Obama has received his share of criticism for the U.S. losing jobs since the $787 stimulus programs started. "Let's be clear,” said Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steel. “100 projects, nearly $1 trillion spent, and 1 million jobs lost doesn't sound like progress to me.”

Responded Obama: “Across the country, the Recovery Act is already at work, providing essential financial relief for American families and businesses, creating and saving jobs, and spurring technology and infrastructure investments that will lay the groundwork for the new economy – and work is just getting started.”