Mark Cavanaugh, Director of the Governor’s Economic Recovery Team will be our guest on Wednesday, November 11. Mark oversees the management and reporting of the 5.7 billion dollars Colorado is receiving from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Some of this money goes directly to local organizations while other funds are allocated through state agencies.

Stimulus funding comes to Colorado through more than 140 different programs including higher education, energy efficiency and weatherization, private businesses, unemployment benefits, and home buyer tax credits. The Recovery Team tracks spending for every county in Colorado, including loans and grants, through the official national Recovery Act website, www.recovery.gov. While this diverse funding is helping to stabilize – and in some cases grow – Colorado’s economy for now, there are many challenges ahead. A concern Governor Ritter raised at our September meeting is what happens in FY 2011 when the stimulus funds supplementing higher education run out? Our November program is a great opportunity to explore more fully these challenges, and scrutinize how the money is currently being spent.

RSVP (yes only) to Sharon Conley at rsvp.dwbc@gmail.com, or call her at 303 554 0960 no later than Monday, November 9, at 8:00 AM. If our lunch is sold out before you make a reservation, or if you prefer to listen to the program and forgo lunch, seating in a “Program Area” may be available for $10.00, beverages included. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions with your RSVP. We acknowledge every reservation, so give Sharon a call if you have not received a confirmation.

Meeting details:

When: Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Where: The Spice of Life Event Center, located at the Flatirons Golf Course, 5706 Arapahoe Road, Boulder, CO.
Time: Doors open at 11:00 AM. Buffet opens at 11:30 AM. Program begins promptly at 12:00 PM and wraps up at 1:00 PM. Cost: $18 for lunch and program. $10 for program only.