Durham mayor Bill Bell spent Friday morning at the White House in Washington where he and 70 other US mayors learned about how cities could use the economic stimulus money to better their communities.

President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Tuesday. The new law promises to create or save 3.5 million jobs over the next two years.

North Carolina is expected to receive more than $6 billion.

Invoking his own "name-and-shame policy," President Barack Obama warned the nation's mayors on Friday that he will "call them out" if they waste the money from his massive economic stimulus plan.

"The American people are watching," Obama told the gathering of mayors at the White House.

A timeline on recovery.gov shows federal agencies have begun awarding grants, and using funds. Money should reach specific, local projects in the coming weeks.

The mayors were a part of the national The Conference of Mayors, which commended President Obama and Congress for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. A statement by the organization says the mayors "look forward to working with the administration to implement this landmark legislation toward transforming our national economy for the 21st Century."

"The value of having the money spent by cities is that people see our work every day," said Mayor Bell.

In all, Durham has requested $105 Million to create about 1,100 jobs.

"They see the work that's getting done. And they can very effectively measure if the money's being spent, and if the money's being spent effectively," Bell said.

Durham published a list of recommended projects, which could use stimulus money. The projects include a $5 million homeowners initiative, upgrades to the Carolina Theatre, and fire station upgrades.

Related Links:

Stimulus Projects Recommended By Durham 

Stimulus Project Text