Did the Economic Stimulus Act Really Stimulate the Economy?

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is a massive piece of legislation that was enacted on the heels of the most significant financial crisis of modern time. It was aimed at avoiding a depression. The provisions of the Act were aimed at calming the panic that had gripped investors and the American public and restoring trust in the financial industry. It was also aimed at stimulating the economy and creating jobs. There are many who question whether the Act really worked and whether tax incentive programs can effectively be utilized to stimulate the economy. In this paper, we examine the components of the Act as it relates to small businesses and individuals and analyze whether these incentives actually worked or did not work. We make recommendations and suggest strategies that can be utilized to ensure the success of future initiatives