A law that is expected to dramatically increase the size and scope of AmeriCorps, the government's largest volunteer organization and the domestic equivalent of the Peace Corps was signed by President Barack Obama on Tuesday

That's good news for Maryland, where AmeriCorps already makes big contributions in dozens of communities. Some 1,300 of the organization's volunteers lead the efforts of thousands more across the state.  AmeriCorps contributions are particularly important when the economy is down and government services are being cut back or eliminated, as they are today.

Democrats and Republicans alike have come to view this national service program as a wise, cost-effective investment in the nation's future. Based on past patterns, some 250,000 AmeriCorps members are expected to recruit or manage 7 million unpaid volunteers.  

  U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski of Maryland, who co-sponsored the legislation with Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, was front and center at Tuesday's White House signing ceremony. She said the AmeriCorps expansion "will pay dividends long beyond anything that we can imagine."

The new legislation will expand the program's mission by creating new "service corps" devoted to clean energy and health care.

Lawmakers aren't asking Americans to serve for nothing. Would-be volunteers interested in programs ranging from tutoring disadvantaged kids to building affordable housing will also be offered an array of new educational incentives. Those include an increase in the college stipend to $5,350 for a year of service, and a $1,000 education award for older participants who volunteer for at least 350 hours, which can be passed on to their children or grandchildren.