Faculty members at Heber Hunt Elementary School wrote a grant to receive stimulus dollars specifically to be used for third and fourth grade classrooms. 

"We were very, very excited.  This was the second attempt that we had at writing this grant. So we went from, you know, very low disappointment the first time at receiving it to mixed feelings at first because when the grant was supposed to be announced, they weren't for sure about the amount of money they would have and if they would be able to even, you know, announce any grant winners," said Heber Hunt principal Wade Norton. "The teachers were very, very excited, along with our grant writer."

The money will pay for new computers--enough to provide one computer for every two students in third and fourth grade.  Stimulus funds will also pay for an electronic blackboard called a smartboard, a laptop for the teacher to use, a digital camera, and teacher training. 

"We're preparing these students, not only for secondary education and then to higher education, but to be prepared for the workforce that they're going to be in in the next ten to 15 years. Some of the jobs we're preparing them for aren't even developed yet," said Norton.

Private companies can also receive competitive grants through the stimulus.  Witte Brothers Exchange, Incorporated applied for stimulus money to install auxiliary power units, or APUs, on trucks.  These units make it possible for drivers to adjust cabin temperature without turning on the engine and burning fuel.

Non-proft organization St. Louis Regional Clean Cities helped Witte Brothers file the grant application.  "I do the administrative part, I make sure the projects get done, I make sure that the paperwork is correct, and I just follow up on the project," said Kevin Herdler, Executive Director of St. Louis Regional Clean Cities. "I do all the reporting on it back to the state of Missouri."

Herdler also said St. Louis Regional Clean Cities is a "matchmaker" of sorts, connecting companies with stimulus money through competitive grants.

"Once you get into the process, it isn't quite as scary as it might be, so I encourage people to go after the dollars because it's very beneficial to a company, especially in these economic times," said Charla Whalen-Mueller, who handles public relations for Witte Brothers.