Project 573

The recent Commerce Department data estimates a 22.5 percent...

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:05:54 -0400

The recent Commerce Department data estimates a 22.5 percent decrease in new home construction. The annual rate dropped to 479,000. Graph courtesy of Bloomberg. To read more on this visit here, here or here.

Hotel property manager Paul Martinez kicks in a tenant’s...

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 14:19:43 -0500

Hotel property manager Paul Martinez kicks in a tenant’s door after no one answered the knock during an eviction February 26, 2009 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The tenant said that he was laid off from his job in a retail store two months ago and had fallen behind on his rent payments at the low-budget hotel. Photo by John Moore for Getty Images.

The picture above is from a series called The Big Picture, a collection of pictures related to the recession at boston.com.

Tax cuts passed in December are aiding in our economic...

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 00:54:36 -0500

Tax cuts passed in December are aiding in our economic development, according to President Obama. He wants a budget intended to cut senseless spending without inhibiting economic expansion.

Wall Street had the “best one-day rally” that it has...

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 02:00:53 -0500

Wall Street had the “best one-day rally” that it has had in months on Thursday. Investors were counting on a boost in average household income. Photo by Brendan McDermid.

Take a look into the future of housing. The Lumenhaus, a...

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 01:46:04 -0500

Take a look into the future of housing. The Lumenhaus, a creation by more than 200 Virginia Tech students and some faculty members, runs on solar-power. Say bye, bye electric bills. Check out the house specs in The New York Times. Photo by Jim Stroup for Virginia Tech.

The Missouri census data showed a seven percent increase in...

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 23:59:21 -0500

The Missouri census data showed a seven percent increase in population since 2000. Columbia Mayor Bob McDavid responds to the results in a Columbia Missourian article stating, “It is a sign of validation for Columbia: its economic activity, its lifestyle and the university and college culture.” Graphic by Stacey Schutzman and Robert Dibrell, story by Matthew Busch for the Missourian.

Paquin Tower resident Max Lewis works at his computer using a...

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 23:50:19 -0500

Paquin Tower resident Max Lewis works at his computer using a pen to type on his keyboard Wednesday, Feb. 23. Lewis depends on assistants to help him eat or get into his apartment. He fears budget cuts to medical care will make life a lot tougher for him. Photo by Daniel Brenner for the American Response.

Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill talks about the state budget...

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:22:38 -0500

Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill talks about the state budget at Columbia City Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 23. McCaskill will gather community opinions across Missouri this week as she travels to different city halls.

Jenny Lukomski sits with her 16-year-old Shih Tzu, Gil, in the...

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:06:48 -0500

Jenny Lukomski sits with her 16-year-old Shih Tzu, Gil, in the waiting room of the MU Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital Tuesday, Feb. 22. Recently unemployed, Lukomski worries about affording unforeseen medical care for her pet who has had past health issues including a heart murmur, stones in his kidneys and a current liver problem.

“Gil’s been doing well,” said Dr. Christine Cocayne, the resident veterinarian, after the checkup. “Basically no concerns since the last time you were here.”

Photo by Andrew Feiler for the American Response.

In The New York Times picture story, “From the Frontlines...

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:06:48 -0500

In The New York Times picture story, “From the Frontlines to the Farms”, veterans and active-duty military learn the ins and outs of organic farming. “In the military, grunts are the guys who get dirty, do the work and are generally underappreciated,” said Colin Archipley, a decorated Marine Corps infantry sergeant turned organic farmer. “I think farmers are the same.” Photo by Sandy Huffaker for The New York Times.

The Great Recession has affected businesses in an array of ways....

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 23:30:00 -0500

The Great Recession has affected businesses in an array of ways. Steve Kopitz, owner and CEO of Summit Sports, has adapted his retail stores by shutting down venues, refining inventory and increasing online sales. Having a niche, could be why some stores are thriving. Karen Bowersox, owner of Downs Designs, found her niche in developing a one of a kind line of clothing for people with Down syndrome. Photo by Susan Tusa for Detroit Free Press.

Here is a visual representation of new unemployment claims over...

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 21:26:10 -0500

Here is a visual representation of new unemployment claims over the past few years. The rate grew from 25,000 to 410,000 claims in the week ending on Feb. 12. The claims seem to be on a decline since August, however, the Department of Labor statistics don’t include those who have run out of benefits and other factors.

President Barack Obama looks to unite democrats and republicans...

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 22:14:57 -0500

President Barack Obama looks to unite democrats and republicans in the coming year as he keeps an eye on reelection. He says Americans want to see both sides are “willing to give a bit”. Compromising seems to be a trait a lot of Americans are experiencing.

Jay Carney, a former Time magazine reporter, joins the presidential staff with the hope he will improve relations between politicians and press.

Photo by Jim Young from Reuters

Thousands of Wisconsin workers and residents swarmed the state...

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 03:39:34 -0500

Thousands of Wisconsin workers and residents swarmed the state Capital on Tuesday, Feb. 15, to protest an anti-union proposal from new Republican governor, Scott Walker. The proposal would put an end to collective bargaining, when employers and employee representatives voluntarily negotiate working conditions. Photo by Andy Manis for The Kansas City Star.

Could you put a price on life? The Transportation Department...

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:07:44 -0500

Could you put a price on life? The Transportation Department values you at around $6 million. In this New York Times piece, Binyamin Appelbaum explores how government determines the right price to prevent loss of life in different agencies. Photo by Paul Sancya for AP.

MultiFunding, a broker company started by Ami Kassar, left,...

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 13:32:33 -0500

MultiFunding, a broker company started by Ami Kassar, left, provides assistance in putting together small-business loans for people like Lisa Iliopoulos, right, who owns a day care center. Kassar lost his job at Advanta in 2009 then ventured off to start his own business. Read a Q&A with Kassar at NYTimes.com. See what people are saying on the MultiFunding blog as well. Photo by Laura Pedrick for The New York Times.

Stimulus education benefits was part of Obama’s plan to...

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 23:24:46 -0500

Stimulus education benefits was part of Obama’s plan to heal the economy, but longterm results are looking skeptical according to a boston.com article. The aid for public schools was used to “extend the school day, improve teacher training, revamp teaching strategies, and hire new employees”. Photo by Nabil K. Mark for centredaily.com.

Geothermal energy will be one area producing more jobs in the...

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 20:59:41 -0500

Geothermal energy will be one area producing more jobs in the near future. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is well underway with the aid of federal stimulus funding according to a new report by SBI Energy. Photo by ThinkGeoEnergy via Flickr CC.

Meet Lisa Gilley, 43, and her granddaughter Cheyenne, 5....

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:46:00 -0500

Meet Lisa Gilley, 43, and her granddaughter Cheyenne, 5. Gilley’s Jefferson City home was weatherized by a team from Central Missouri Community Action.

Gilley told Project 573 her home burnt down five years ago. She began to rebuild, but money dried up when the recession hit.

The weatherization team made some repairs, insulated the home and sealed it. Gilley was ecstatic to see her home transformed at no cost.

“It’s really lifted our spirits,” Gilley says. “It’s been a great process… the benefits you reap from it will be ongoing forever.”

Now, she can help out more with Cheyenne’s schoolwork. And she’s excited to finally paint her walls.

Evan Bush/ Project 573

Project Outtakes: Chad Canfield (right) and Jimmy Fitzsimmons...

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:08:29 -0500

Project Outtakes: Chad Canfield (right) and Jimmy Fitzsimmons (left) clean up after working on a stimulus-funded weatherization project in Jefferson City, Mo.

Fitzsimmons applied three times for a Central Missouri Community Action weatherization job. He was hired three months ago.

The two are working as part of a three-man team that insulates, seals, installs energy efficient appliances, and weatherstrips homes for families with an income at 200 percent of the federal poverty line.

Photo: Evan Bush/ Project 573