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Celebrating Three Years of Growth and Recovery in Georgia Thanks to the American Rescue Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2024
PRESS CONTACT: [email protected]

CELEBRATING THREE YEARS OF GROWTH AND RECOVERY IN GEORGIA THANKS TO THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today marks the three-year anniversary of President Biden signing the American Rescue Plan Act into law. This legislation invested more than $16.4 billion in Georgia, helping keep renters and homeowners up-to-date on their bills and small businesses afloat across the state. In celebration, Building Back Together Executive Director Mayra Macías released the following statement:

“When President Biden assumed office, our nation faced an unprecedented public health and economic crisis. The Biden-Harris Administration took swift action in response, enacting the American Rescue Plan to combat the challenges posed by COVID-19 and ensure our full economic recovery. As we commemorate the three-year anniversary of this pivotal legislation, the transformative impact it has had in communities across America cannot be overstated. Despite facing unanimous opposition from Republicans in Congress, the American Rescue Plan empowered the Biden-Harris Administration to supercharge recovery efforts, directly support American businesses, workers and families, and facilitate a safe return to work and school for all Americans. Moreover, the American Rescue Plan enabled local governments to use the funds to best serve their communities, spurring innovation and support for critical programs like housing, child care and food assistance.

“Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, the United States has had one of the fastest post-pandemic recoveries among the world’s top economies, with nearly 15 million jobs created, record-low unemployment, higher wages, and a consistent decline in inflation. While MAGA Republicans in Congress have chosen to dismiss the success of this historic legislation, President Biden and his congressional allies continue to prioritize creating breathing room for hardworking families nationwide — from homeowner and renters’ assistance to lowering the cost of health care. Thanks to President Biden’s agenda, we navigated the pandemic with a pragmatic approach that enabled us to move forward safely and set our sights on building a better, stronger union.”

Over the past three years, the American Rescue Plan signed into law by President Biden has made a major impact across the country. In Georgia, the American Rescue Plan:

  • Delivered 5.2 million economic relief payments of up to $1,400 to Georgians.
  • Cut premiums for the average Georgia family of four receiving health care through the Affordable Care Act by $608 a month.
  • Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, these health care savings are still available through 2025.
  • Sent monthly child tax cuts to the families of 2,101,000 children in Georgia.
  • Delivered over $4.2 billion to help Georgia’s schools reopen safely and effectively.
  • Delivered over $350 million to Georgia homeowners to assist with their mortgages and over $560 million to Georgia renters to assist with paying their rent.
  • Delivered an additional $63.9 million in late 2021 to Georgians eligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
  • Assisted in providing emergency financial relief to over 389,000 students in Georgia, totaling over $522 million.

Read about the full impacts of the American Rescue Plan across the country and by state at BidenEconomyFacts.com.

The American Rescue Plan has created 4.8 million jobs and increased average hourly earnings by $0.93 while not raising a penny of taxes for anyone earning less than $400,000 a year. See below for a sampling of what Georgians have read about its impact since it was signed into law by President Biden:

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Gwinnett awards $7 million in grants to small businesses

Each business received between $3,000 to $15,000 based on factors such as the number of employees, gross revenue and total COVID-19 impact on the applicant, the release said.

The program was federally funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and the Community Development Block Grant, it added.

Georgia Recorder: Georgia Democrats trumpet $1.3B grant to expand rural broadband internet connections

“Families across Georgia rely on access to broadband for their jobs, their schoolwork, and keeping in touch with loved ones,” [Rep. Lucy McBath] said. “I’m thrilled to see these federal funds come home to Georgia.”

Since last year, nearly $650 million in grants from the American Rescue Plan Act coupled with several hundred million dollars of matching funds were aimed at improving broadband service for roughly 200,000 underserved Georgia residents.

 

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