The nation’s GDP grew more in the 3rd quarter of 2009 than in any quarter since 2007.  Said U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, “Today’s numbers indicate that the tough decisions this administration made to rescue the economy from the abyss were correct. We’re headed in the right direction, and even though there are still too many Americans out of work and still much work to be done, without the action taken in the early days of this administration, the pain families are feeling today would be much worse.”

Gov. Bill Ritter today released new reports showing widespread benefits to Colorado communities from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The reports show that millions of people have directly benefited from Recovery Act funds. They also indicate strong job creation and retention in construction, business contracts and teaching. The reports are based on information submitted to the federal government earlier this month to comply with Section 1512 of the Recovery Act and data from state agencies.

* $1.2 billion has been spent so far across Colorado.

* More than 10,000 jobs have been created or retained so far in a portion of the programs.

* Public institutions of higher education retained more than 2,600 full-time equivalent positions.

* More than 400 jobs have been retained or created through weatherization programs and 516 homes have received energy efficiency improvements.

* More than 100 Colorado businesses have been awarded contracts and have been paid more than $48 million so far.

* Over 3 million individuals and families have benefited from tax cuts, extra unemployment benefits and food stamps and weatherization work.

* 6,200 households have taken advantage of the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit.

The new reports are available on the state website, www.colorado.gov/recovery.

Gov. Bill Ritter announced today the restoration of funding for the Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND) Program, which provides a monthly stipend of some $200 for food, housing and other essential services to about 6,500 of Colorado’s most vulnerable residents.

To help close a $320 million budget shortfall in current FY09-10, the AND Program was slated to be suspended effective Jan. 1, 2010, for a $7.2 million savings.

“Over the past year, working together with the legislature, we’ve closed recession-caused budget shortfalls of nearly $2 billion,” Gov. Ritter said. “We’ve taken great care and been guided by compassion in making surgical reductions to avoid pain where possible and preserve the safety net for those who depend on government services.

“I’ve been concerned from the beginning about the impact of suspending the AND Program on those who rely on it as a lifeline. I have listened to the concerns expressed by AND recipients and those who work with them all across Colorado, and today I have directed my budget office to re-balance the budget without suspending this program.”

The Department of Human Services, which administers the AND Program with counties throughout Colorado, will be evaluating the program to make it more efficient, effective and accountable.

Colorado Springs – Gov. Bill Ritter today met with small business owners that received Colorado Credit Reserve Program (CCR) loans. Senate Bill 67 (Heath, Gagliardi & Marostica) revived the CCR Program to help banks make loans to small businesses and will leverage $2.5 million in public funds into $50 million in loans for an estimated 250 businesses in the state.

“The Colorado Credit Reserve Program will bring much needed funding to and will re-energize our small businesses, allowing them to create jobs and sustainable, vibrant communities,” said Gov. Ritter. “It is another example of how we are leading Colorado forward to recover quicker and stronger from this recession.”

“I’m so proud of these Colorado Springs businesses,” said Sen. John Morse.  “These loans prove that their hard work is creating jobs, and contributing to our economy and our community.  They have shown that Colorado Springs is the best place to live and build a business.”

“These micro-loans provide a needed jump-start for the economy of Colorado Springs.  They will help our local businesses expand, meet payroll, and create jobs in a time when small businesses desperately need access to capital.  Colorado Springs is grateful for the helping hand that’s not a hand-out,” said Rep. Dennis Apuan.

The first 23 loans were made last month, totaling $404,917. The program leverages more than $400,000 in small business lending and supports 161 new and existing jobs across the state.

Gov. Bill Ritter today welcomed SunRun as the newest member of Colorado’s New Energy Economy. SunRun offers homeowners the opportunity to lease solar power systems, providing another way for consumers to save energy costs and access clean energy.

California-based SunRun (www.sunrunhome.com) is expanding its business to Colorado as a direct outgrowth of the passage of Senate Bill 51, signed by Gov. Ritter on Earth Day 2009. SB 51 allows solar companies to build rooftop systems that homeowners can lease instead of own, dramatically reducing upfront costs for consumers and creating a new marketplace and job expansion for solar installers.

“I am pleased to welcome SunRun to Colorado as the newest member of our growing New Energy Economy,” Gov. Ritter said. “With great support from the Legislature, we’ve passed some of the most forward-thinking legislation in the country to help us attract companies like SunRun to Colorado. And not only are we creating sustainable jobs, we are lowering energy costs, increasing energy security and leading America toward a new energy future.”

Gov. Ritter highlighted the solar leasing approach at the heart of SunRun’s expansion as part of his 2009 State of the State Address in January. In just nine months the concept was turned into legislation, new jobs and new opportunities. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Morgan Carroll and Rep. Claire Levy.

“The service provided by SunRun is exactly what ordinary homeowners in Colorado need to join in the benefits of Colorado’s New Energy Economy,” Rep. Levy said. “I am pleased that SunRun has seized the opportunities created by Senate Bill 51.”

“We are very excited to welcome SunRun to Colorado.  This will mean more affordable access to solar for thousands of homeowners and great job growth and economic development for our state,” said Sen. Carroll. “I want to thank everyone who helped pass SB 51 and welcome SunRun to Colorado.”

SunRun partners with local solar companies and its arrival in Colorado is expected to lead to dozens of new jobs for installers. So far in 2009, SunRun’s partners in other states – including Arizona, California and Massachusetts – have seen consistent job increases. Larger installation partners have hired as many as 20 additional people in their first three months working with SunRun.

“Governor Ritter and his staff are some of the country’s leading green thinkers, and we’re excited to be working with them to develop clean energy solutions that make financial sense for homeowners and taxpayers,” said Lynn Jurich, president and cofounder of SunRun.”

Under a solar lease arrangement, homeowners pay as little as $1,000 for a one-time system installation fee. For a small monthly fee, SunRun provides complete monitoring, repairs, insurance and a performance guarantee. Utility bill savings mean consumers often see payback from their investment in less than three years.

This morning the Nobel Committee in Oslo, Norway awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize to President Barack Obama “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”

The committee said that “only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future.”

In an address this morning, President Obama stated that “I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations.”

Gov. Ritter this week issued an executive order requiring the establishment of a universal policy to protect state employees from workplace and domestic violence. As an employer, the State is affected by workplace violence which can compromise the safety of both victims and co-workers and result in lost productivity and increased healthcare costs, absenteeism, and employee turnover.

Below is the text of a proclamation issued by Governor Ritter.

October 2009

WHEREAS, domestic violence causes needless physical and emotional injury to Coloradans; and

WHEREAS, domestic violence is not confined to any specific group of people, but affects individuals of all races, economic levels, educational backgrounds, family structures, religions, and ages; and

WHEREAS, the crime of domestic violence violates an individual’s dignity, security, and humanity, and can come in the form of physical, emotional, sexual, psychological, or economic abuse; and

WHEREAS, professionals, volunteers, and community members concerned with domestic violence prevention will devote the month of October to public education programs on the causes, interventions, and prevention of this tragic epidemic, which is of great concern to Colorado’s public health;

Therefore, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim October 2009,

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

in the State of Colorado.