Public Works Administration

Public Works Administration (PWA), former U.S. government agency established by Congress as the Federal Emergency Relief Administration under the National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933. Organized under the New Deal, the PWA was responsible for the construction of roads, buildings, dams, and other projects and loaned money to states and municipalities for similar projects. The agency's goal was to increase employment and business activity. In its 10-year existence, the PWA spent more than $4 billion on public projects. In 1943 the functions of the agency were transferred to the Federal Works Agency, which in turn was abolished in 1949 when its functions were assumed by the General Services Administration.