Alcohol may be a depressant, but wine is a stimulant for the economy, judging by the recent federal grant for local wine growers.

The Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association received a $98,500 grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, one of 44 recipients in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's push to create jobs in rural areas. The money is intended to fund start-up loans, renovations, transportation improvement and other business expenses.

“The stimulus that was signed into law last February is still funneling much-needed federal funds into our communities to spur job growth,” said Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel). “While the unemployment rate remains far too high, the policies put in place by Congress and President Obama over the past year have saved us from a far more severe downturn, and in fact we’re beginning to see clear signs of recovery.”