The U.S. Chamber of Commerce applauded U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell for backing the recently-passed economic recovery plan, according to the organization.

"Since the elections, we've worked with the President and Congressman Kissell to quickly pass a bill that would apply a defibrillator to the economy and shock it back to life," said Bruce Josten, the U.S. Chamber's executive vice president of Government Affairs.

"While not everyone in Washington or North Carolina agrees on every item in this package, the whole is more important than the individual parts," Josten said. "Our economy is in uncharted and dangerous waters and inaction from Washington is not an option."

According to the Obama administration, North Carolina's 8th Congressional District is set to gain 7,800 jobs over the next two years, thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Kissell represents the 8th District, including Scotland County, in Congress.

"Now that this bill is a law, the real work must begin," Josten said. "To quickly put Americans back to work and stimulate long term growth, the spending from this bill must be allocated quickly but responsibility"

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region