San
Bernardino County is one of the hardest hit counties in the state
of California. The San Bernardino-Riverside region has the nation's
5th worst foreclosure rate. In January 2010 the unemployment rate
was a staggering14.9%, up 120% from 2008. The construction industry,
the main industry in San Bernardino County lost a crushing 25.4%
of its employment in the Inland Empire in 2009. Food stamp caseloads
have increased by 50% over the past year and traffic to the county’s
employment resource centers has increased by over 400%. The county
is projecting a decrease in property tax intake by at least 6%;
in addition, city governments and schools are facing budgetary
problems because of the reduction in sales taxes and state funding.
ARRA funding responded to the needs of San Diego County public and private sectors, enabling them to fiscally survive the state recession, stimulating the economy through shovel ready projects in the transportation and technology sectors, and saving jobs in the education and health and human sectors. However, in comparing ARRA funding to the foreclosure rates and unemployment rates in the county, research shows that although ARRA aided certain populations, it did not serve all neighborhoods equitably. Moreover, ARRA missed opportunities to heavily invest in workforce development and job training.
To learn more please read our:
- San Bernardino General Factsheet (PDF)
- San Bernardino Water Environment Factsheet (PDF)
- San Bernardino Community Guide (PDF)
- San Bernardino Webinar (Powerpoint)