Workforce Investment Board announces stimulus fund progress

The Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County recently announced that of the $15.8 million in stimulus funding allocated by the federal government in February, about $11.7 million has been spent on local programs for work-force training, business retention and youth work experience, and $4.1 million is contracted to be spent on additional training programs the next year.  The federal government required that all money be allocated by June 2010 and spent by June 2011.  "As a board, we understood that research, assessment and planning was crucial to implementing successful programs quickly and effectively," Sandy Harmsen, executive director of the board, said in a news release. "We invested substantial energy into building programs tailored to the needs of our community. This strategic use of stimulus dollars created local jobs and a more qualified work force, benefitting both residents and local businesses of San Bernardino County."  Information: www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/WIB