Ohio will receive at least $8.2 billion in federal funds as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that President Barack Obama signed into law Tuesday.

“I applaud President Barack Obama’s visionary leadership and the efforts of Senator Sherrod Brown and the other members of Ohio’s congressional delegation who voted for this vital and necessary bill,” Strickland said.

According to Federal Funds Information for States (FFIS) and the General Accounting Office (GAO), Ohio is estimated to receive at least $8.2 billion in federal stimulus resources.

“The effects of this recession reach deep into the lives and pocketbooks of everyday Ohioans. The federal stimulus is the right investment at exactly the right time to jumpstart the stalled economy. These resources will save or create more than 130,000 jobs for Ohioans and provide tax cuts to working families, while also helping to protect essential state services that Ohioans rely upon every day,” Strickland said.

“The stimulus resources will enable Ohio to make targeted investments in the critical sectors of our economy that will create and grow jobs — laying the foundation for future economic growth and shared prosperity.”

The legislation, according to Strickland, provides direct fiscal relief to Ohio through state budget stabilization resources, including approximately $3 billion in increased Medicaid reimbursements, $1.5 billion for education (including school modernization) and $326 million in general government operations which will be allocated for health and human services, public safety, education and protecting and preserving Ohio’s natural resources.

Under the title of “Infrastructure,” the legislation allocates $981 million for highway and bridge projects, $203 million for transit capital grants and $9 million for rail modernization. Additionally, the legislation provides $58 million for the Drinking Water SRF (State Revolving Fund) program and $224 million for the Clean Water SRF program.

Under “Education” the legislation provides $461 million in special education funding, $472 million in Title 1 funding, $44 million for vocational rehabilitation for Ohioans with disabilities, $23 million for technology in schools and $3 million for school lunch equipment.

Under “Health and Human Services,” the legislation provides $146 million for the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which includes training and employment services for dislocated workers as well as training and counseling activities for adult workers and youth.

Additionally, $68 million in stimulus funds will be allocated for child care services, $27 million for the Head Start program and $39 million for community services block grants.

Strickland said the legislation also allocates “significant” resources for food and housing assistance, including $129 million to the Public Housing Capital Fund, $65 million to the HOME program and $66 million for homelessness prevention efforts.

Under “Energy” the legislation provides $277 million in home weatherization assistance and $123 million for the State Energy Program.

Under “Criminal Justice,” the legislation provides $62 million for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grat (JAG) and additional funds for crime victims assistance, Internet crimes against children and violence against women.

Strickland said in addition, state and local governments and other entities will be able to compete for other federal stimulus fund, and other resources such as Pell Grants and Unemployment Compensation will be available to individuals who qualify.