• One year in, the evidence is clear – and growing by the day – that the Recovery Act is working to cushion the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression and lay a new foundation for economic growth.
• According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the Recovery Act is already responsible for as many as 2.4 million jobs through the end of 2009
• As a result, job losses are a fraction of what they were a year ago, before the Recovery Act began

The  Labor and Workforce Development Agency and ETP have committed up to $10 million dollars ($5 million in Workforce Investment Act funds, and $5 million in ETP funds) to address the need for short-term training for workers laid off in residential construction and other related construction industries transitioning into jobs requiring similar skills in public works and commercial construction.

Mattel Named to FORTUNE's 2009 "100 Best Companies to Work For" List

Toy company moves up 22 positions, to rank among top 50 in 2009

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Jan 22, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- FORTUNE announced today that Mattel (NYSE:MAT), the world's largest toy company, has been named to the prestigious 12th annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" list. This is the second consecutive year Mattel has been named to the list, moving up 22 spots in 2009 to rank #48.

Mattel offers a world-class work/life environment with competitive salaries and outstanding benefits for employees and their families.  Reflecting its focus on families and children, Mattel provides a range of special benefits to its employees, including half-day Fridays, career and professional development, new baby welcome gifts, adoption assistance, toy discounts, free tickets to local events, educational assistance and on-site childcare at certain locations.

The full list and related stories appear in the February 2 issue of FORTUNE, available on newsstands on Monday, January 26, and now at www.FORTUNE.com/bestcompanies.