Stimulus to put thousands back at work

SPRINGFIELD, Mass (WWLP) - There is some good news on the job front. Stimulus money may be putting thousands of Bay State residents to work.

Laura Dean of Springfield is unemployed and is looking for work. She told 22News, the creation of new jobs is a necessity.

Due to the 1.9 billion dollars in stimulus money given to the state, Governor Patrick has been able to create and retain over 23,000 jobs.

Most of these job lie in the private sector and contract work.

Under funds ARRA f salaries have been supported for teachers, health care professionals, and hundreds of civic workers.

But due to the state's budget issues, Governor Patrick announced streamline 2,000 state employees and jobs in the executive office.

Despite the cuts, Governor Patrick hopes to get people into these jobs as soon as possible and use funds to help invest in the state's future economic growth.