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Federal recovery act funds are filtering into the Tucson economy.

George Bojorquez is a carpenter. For a year he was unemployed and just scraping by. "It was difficult going thru the past year without any work. Being employed things are looking up," said Bojorquez.

He works for Durazo Construction. They're contracted by the City of Tucson to upgrade city-owned homes for public housing. J.R. Durazo said, " It's definitely helping us, carrying us thru this slow time and we've hired 3 more employees so its helped there as well of course hiring sub contractors, such as plumbers, electricians, so its trickling down to everybody."

City officials believe the funds are a win-win for everyone involved especially those who live in public housing. Albert Elias is the director of the Department of Housing and Community Development. He said, "Without these funds, these units would not be upgraded, our tenants who live in public housing would not have benefits of a better housing environment."

Not everyone believes the federal recovery act is all that it's cracked to be. Byron Schlomach of the Goldwater Institute in Phoenix said, "When you look at the economy as a whole and the market adjustment that needs to occur if anything this has just slowed that down."

Even though on a national scale the recovery bill may not be as strong, here on this job site, it's hammering hope. Pima County has been awarded 27 grants totaling 26 point four million dollars under the American Recovery and Reinvestment act. That money will go towards local food banks, community services for low income families, southwest border grants, road and bridge repairs, and improving schools.

The city of Tucson received over $52 million for a variety of projects including road construction projects, law enforcement programs and energy conservation. The City of Marana has been promised $3.7 million for pavement preservation.

For a complete list of the programs that received stimulus grant money -- click here.