Governor Jan Brewer Announces Completion of Phase I Stimulus Funding to Universities and Community Colleges

Press Release

$183 Million Dispersed to Institutes of Higher Education for FY2009

Governor Jan Brewer today announced the completion of Phase I funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) to Arizona's postsecondary educational institutions. In August, more than $154 million was disbursed to the state's three universities, while
the state's community colleges received funding in September and October.

The last of the SFSF Phase I funds have been released to the remaining community colleges in the following amounts: Maricopa $15,093,592; Navajo $1,304,024; Yuma/La Paz $1,311,722; Coconino $649,258; Gila $175,353; and Pinal $1,206,787.

"Although the Recovery Act funds for education stabilization do not resolve the state's budget deficit, they will help to mitigate the funding crisis the state's educational institutions find themselves in during this very difficult economic crisis," said Governor Brewer. "Protecting education opportunities and advancement is absolutely critical to attracting new jobs and business opportunities to our great state."

"The communities and students served by Northland Pioneer College want to thank Governor Brewer for her support of higher education in rural areas, as demonstrated by her efforts in obtaining and distributing ARRA stimulus money to community colleges in Arizona," said Dr. Jeanne Swarthout, President of Northland Pioneer College. "The funds she has made available to Northland Pioneer College will assist in stabilizing tuition and education programs and services in Navajo and Apache counties. Community colleges are the center of job development, training and economic growth; nowhere are these tasks more critical than in the rural areas of the state."

"Arizona Western College, serving Yuma and La Paz counties, was very pleased to receive $1.3 million in state stimulus funds at a critical time for all of Arizona's colleges and universities," said Dr. Marc Nigliazzo, President of Arizona Western College. "Following the shortfall in state appropriations for higher education, we at AWC feared a substantial weakening in our capability for delivering programs and services. But by backfilling some of our appropriations loss, the state stimulus funds allowed us to assure stability in our budget for at least the current fiscal year, and to maintain our commitment to quality educational opportunity for a rapidly growing student body."

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