How AT&T gets stimulus funds

Big businesses are battling to take home chunks of the government's billion-dollar stimulus pie and AT&T is among the leaders on the telecom front. While the telecom giant can't go after stimulus funds directly, its clients include many government agencies that are on the receiving end of those funds. And that puts AT&T in a strong position. AT&T also has a huge client base, which includes some of the largest federal and local government contracts. The company has been using that base as a springboard to search out more projects, especially as the consumer side of its business slumps in the recession. "Every conversation we have with federal agencies is about stimulus dollars and how we can help," said Don Herring, senior vice president of AT&T Government Solutions.