Minnesota [Finance and Commerce, 3/9/09]:   A series of federal stimulus projects in Minnesota are about to graduate from concept to signed contract.  On Friday, the Minnesota Department of Transportation plans to award contracts for a series of highway projects to be paid for by the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which includes $502 million for Minnesota highways and bridges and $92 million for transit.    (via WhiteHouse.gov)