For those locals looking to find out more about what the recently passed federal stimulus package will mean for them, the Scotland County Branch of the NAACP and Rep. Garland Pierce will be presenting an informational session this Saturday at Spring Branch Missionary Baptist Church in Wagram at 1 p.m.

During the session Thom Thacker, the district director for Congressman Larry Kissell, will offer an overview of the package, speaking about what it practically means for residents of Scotland County.

Thacker is scheduled to then engage in a dialogue with those in attendance, taking their questions and offering his inside knowledge of the package.

"Average folks have been asking me about (the stimulus package) and I didn't have anything I could share, so I thought the congressman's office would be the best place to go for someone who could share some information with them," said Pierce.

According to Kissell Communications Director Brianna Atkins, the session is the first of its kind in the congressman's district.

"We are trying to do our best to keep everyone informed ... because it's a lot for people to wrap their heads around," Atkins said.

Atkins added that the session is an extension of Kissell's general belief in "sitting down with the people of the community and talking about what is going on, one-on-one."

Scotland County's 16.8 percent unemployment rate was mentioned by Pierce as a reason he felt presenting the informational session was so important.

"We need to keep people encouraged, and keep them from losing hope ... so that they will want to stay in Scotland County and to hold on until things turn around."

Pierce added that people should not feel that they must restrict their questions to the stimulus package, as other issues on people's minds will also be up for discussion at the event in an effort to "put a face" on Kissell's office.

"I encourage people to come together, to sit down and to hear what this stimulus package will mean for Scotland. Everybody is invited," Pierce said.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was passed on Feb. 17, and includes federal tax cuts, along with domestic spending in education, health care and infrastructure. The act is larger than the 2008 stimulus package, which consisted primarily of federal tax rebate checks.

"What the stimulus package means for the Scotland County citizens and our community" presented by the Scotland County Branch of the NAACP and Representative Garland Pierce

Spring Branch Missionary Baptist Church 21300 Old Wire Road, Wagram, NC 28396 on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 1:00pm.