Federal dollars are starting to roll in to states and cities across the United States as part of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The purpose of the law is to jump-start the economy by constructing new buildings and retrofitting older buildings so they are energy efficient and sustainable. It's also meant to put men and women back to work by creating these new construction jobs.

Snips has put together a list of Internet links for our readers to see what construction projects will be receiving federal stimulus money. Many of these Web sites will allow you to see what the construction project is and how companies can bid on the project. Some sites are open only to members of industry associations, but there are several others that will provide a wealth of information to independent contractors. So start clicking and start bidding."

California Energy Commission Economic Recovery The California Energy Commission has launched this Web site to provide information on California energy projects that will be funded through the federal stimulus. The site also provides guidelines for stimulus transparency, as well as other energy-related state recovery programs.

DSIRE Solar The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency provides a comprehensive list of tax credits, tax exemptions and rebate programs by state for solar energy and other renewable systems.

Recovery Roadmap This site on the White House Web site pinpoints where specific stimulus projects will take place in the U.S. Projects include everything from Department of Defense projects to various Department of Transportation projects.

Council of State Governments – StateRecovery.org This Web site from the Council of State Governments aims to help users find possible funding opportunities. It also provides information and the latest news on the stimulus act.

FedBizOpps Commercial vendors and government buyers are invited to post, search, monitor and retrieve opportunities solicited by the entire Federal contracting community.

Council of State Governments This Web site aims to help state governments find federal opportunities with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Recovery.gov This federal Web site provides information on stimulus spending. It also provides links to state recovery Web sites with information on state projects that will benefit from federal dollars.

National Clearinghouse for Construction Facilities The National Clearinghouse for Construction Facilities has added a section to its Web site called, Recovery Act Funding for School Construction. The site explains how the federal stimulus package will fund the updating and retrofitting of existing school buildings. It also offers Recovery Act news, an FAQ section and more.

PHCC – The Stimulus Package and You The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National-Association created this Web site to provide members with information on federal construction projects and opportunities that will benefit residential and commercial contractors. This is a members only Web site.

The Associated General Contractors of America The AGC Web site provides information on federal construction dollars and companies that are already benefiting.