REDMOND, Wash. - The sounds of welders and fitters hard at work are music to David Forster's ears.
"Without the stimulus money we'd be probably laying off half of our guys," he said.
What a difference nine months has made, after receiving money through the federal stimulus initiative, Forster's small, Redmond-based business is now able to provide work for 24 laborers, welders and fitters.
Guys like Kyle Demmith, who moved here 2 years ago from Minnesota.
"I got laid off about two months before I got this job so it really helps me out," he said.
Rainier Welding is responsible for building what will soon be "smart signs" installed on I-5, State Route 520 and I-90.
According the government Web site Recovery.Org, more than $5 billion has been allocated to our state. So far Washington has received about $1.4 billion, creating and or retaining more than 34,000 jobs. The hope is that more jobs will follow.
"It got me back to work and paying the bills so could ask for much more," saID Demmith.
The state reports the majority of the jobs created are education related. So far more than $500 million has been spent on roads, emergency food assistance and clean water.
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