NASHVILLE – A university study that tracked federal stimulus money shows Tennessee should have received more of it, based on the state’s unemployment rate.
The study by the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University also found Tennessee beat expectations about how much the funds would spur employment.
The study concluded stimulus funds generally went to states where the need to encourage job growth was the greatest.
William M. Rodgers III, public policy professor and chief economist for the center, told The Tennessean it was “quite amazing” that federal stimulus funds appear to have helped slow layoffs, starting late last year, despite stimulus awards that were considered below average for the nation.
“We’ve tried to use the money as effectively and efficiently as possible,” said Lola Potter, who speaks for Tennessee’s stimulus program.