The American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)(H.R. 1) bill, passed February 13, 2009, is the largest combined spending and tax bill in American history. It totals $787 billion in spending and tax cuts for many businesses and industries – healthcare, energy, education, transportation and more. ARRA aims to stimulate the economy through federal spending on public works construction, energy and environmental projects and new technologies, among others. Preti Flaherty's Economic Stimulus Law Group is a multi-disciplinary team of attorneys who have analyzed the evolution of the ARRA package. We successfully lobbied on portions of the bill on behalf of clients including a national manufacturing trade association, a state energy trade association and a large telecommunications company. Our involvement helped shape the energy provisions in the bill to our clients' benefit.
The majority of stimulus funds are expected to flow through federal agencies to the state level. Preti Flaherty is highly respected for our legislative and regulatory practice in New England and Washington, D.C. We have the unique ability to implement our legislative expertise and valued reputation among state and federal agencies to help clients take advantage of ARRA.
Our Services
Preti Flaherty was active in Washington, D.C. during the negotiation and enactment of the ARRA package. Our unique and direct insight into Congressional intent enables us to assist clients with programs directly administered by federal agencies. Our multi-disciplinary approach means that we review our clients' needs from multiple perspectives to maximize benefits.
We serve a diverse mix of client needs by:
- Advising clients on securing funding for capital projects and growth initiatives
- Developing innovative approaches to traditional programs
- Assembling ad hoc coalitions of companies with similar interests
- Marshalling congressional support for regional, state, or company specific programs and projects
- Testifying before federal agencies during program rule development
- Navigating clients necessary application processes
The ARRA package represents significant opportunities for many of our clients. We are proactively engaged in both traditional and innovative approaches to the package. We seek to build long-term value for our clients through creative approaches, including leveraging ARRA supported programs with new and continuing federal and state initiatives currently under development.
Representative Matters
Since ARRA was enacted, Preti Flaherty's Stimulus Team has been very active. We are currently guiding clients through contract and grant applications and are determining other regulatory and logistical parameters. For example, we identify opportunities that can be integrated into company efforts to support organizational objectives. We are currently:
- Advising on stimulus response efforts for a multi-state telecommunications company and a renewable energy project developer
- Developing and implementing broadband stimulus funding strategies for large and small telecommunications companies
- Analyzing rural investment opportunities for non-profit organizations
- Investigating energy efficiency project funding for commercial, institutional and industrial clients
- Developing and lobbying on state level legislative proposals to facilitate client acquisition of stimulus opportunities.