NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- With federal stimulus funds drying up, the availability of summer jobs in Middle Tennessee will be limited.

That means there will be more competition for jobs that usually go to teens and young adults with little or no real working experience.

South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance executive director Jan McKeel told The Tennessean that the organization was able to put 900 youths to work with federal stimulus funding three years ago, but cuts the next year limited the number to 50. She says the organization is struggling to continue to fund summer jobs for youths.

Government-sponsored programs that are still operating typically have more applicants than jobs.

Nashville Career Advancement Center official Ellen Zinkiewicz says it's not all bad news -- more teens are finding jobs as the country comes out of a recession.