Public Media from Michigan State University

Stimulus funds bring Mich. few private-sector jobs

By AP

DETROIT – An analysis by The Detroit Free Press has found that most of the federal stimulus funding that's reached Michigan has created few private-sector jobs.

The Free Press examined more than 1,800 awards to agencies, departments, municipalities and firms in Michigan under the stimulus act. It found that the biggest impact was spurring or protecting public-sector or summer jobs - not private-sector jobs.

Of the 22,513 stimulus jobs reported in Michigan, 13,555 were tied to state money for education, doled out to local school districts.

The Free Press also reported Sunday that its analysis shows that some recipients of the stimulus cash have overstated the number of jobs created or protected.

Obama administration officials promise that job growth will follow as more funding arrives.

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