Mahlon Simmons on the Recovery Act: "It has definitely kept families in the construction industry going"

Today, I'm pleased to present our latest Voices of the Recovery Act video. It features Mahlon Simmons, who works for Concrete General in Maryland.

Mahlon Simmons was working on a project that was almost complete. Just in time, Concrete General secured the contract on a bridge replacement project near Baltimore. This project on I-695, Baltimore's beltway, is being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. And through this investment by the Obama Administration, Mahlon is still working.

Even better, some of Mahlon's colleagues who had been laid off eight months ago are being hired back to work today on this $18 million, ARRA-funded project. In fact, according to Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, the project "is expected to support 200 jobs."

Mahlon Simmons, seen hear with FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez

As the economy continues to gain steam, it's easy to forget how important the Recovery Act has been to the transportation construction industry. But Mahlon has clearly not forgotten.

If you watch the video, you'll hear him say:

"This is definitely a help to all the families and the people at Concrete General. It's helped families in the construction industry. A lot of families have mortgages, mouths to feed, kids in college, so it has definitely kept the economy going."

And he's right. Through investments in good transportation projects that saved or created good jobs, the Recovery Act kept a dire economic situation from becoming even worse. And it has positioned the US economy for the growth we're experiencing today.

Comments

[Julie]

It's great to see that there are some families that have been affected by the recovery program. Unfortunately I think there are many more that could have been helped if it had been structured properly. Frustrating considering how devastating the downturn has been to my family. Both incomes gone. No end in sight. Prayer is all that is left.