The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act was signed by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021 in response to the financial strain caused by COVID-19.
Included in that number was $65.1 billion distributed directory to cities, towns and villages.
While the funds initially came with fairly strict parameters, the U.S. Department of the Treasury basically removed those restrictions in early 2022, allowing municipalities to spend up to $10 million in ARPA relief money however each saw fit.
That dye is now cast.
The deadline to obligate the funds was Dec. 31, 2024. The money must all be spent by Dec. 31, 2026.
The Dominion Post reached out to Morgantown, Westover, Star City and Granville to see how each allocated its one-time federal relief money.
Updated reports detailing these expenditures are due to the U.S. Treasury by the end of April.
Morgantown
The City of Morgantown received $11,465,260.47. Its expenditures are broken into eight categories.
Resilient city operations – $1,883,500.10 spent and $692,182.76 obligated
City Hall elevator replacement
Morgantown Public Library elevator replacement
WV Botanic Garden paving
Vacation leave payout for FY 2023
Defense in Depth equipment purchase
Defense in Depth FY 24 lease agreement
Salt storage building
Norwood Fire Station appliances
Land purchase for new fire station
Revenue replacement
Re-energize local business – $1,939,354.39 spent
Land purchase for airport expansion
Small business assistance grants
City promotions – advertising
City promotions – marketing coordinator
City promotions – external and internal events
Develop recreational opportunities – $194,164.06 spent and $1,557,400 obligated
Flegal recreation area
Riverfront recreation
White Park remediation
Enhance physical and mental health resources – $1,540,407.56 spent
Enhanced free clinic (Health Right)
Street Outreach Coordinator
Morgantown Community Resources
Lauren’s Wish
Mountain State Justice
Strengthen neighborhoods – $682,052.31 spent and $781,520.79 obligated
Key & blighted property acquisition
Demolition costs
Neighborhood tool trailer and supplies
Sidewalks and pedestrian improvements
Protect Water and infrastructure – $129,200 spent and $874,000 obligated
MUB Popenoe Run project
Monongahela River trash wheel
Create downtown placemaking – $713,241.23 spent and $9,411.36 obligated
Pedlets (outdoor dining areas)
Downtown lighting project
Facade and interior improvement grants
City Ambassador program
Downtown trail connections
Historic Post Office renovation designs
Downtown camera project
Improve technology assets – $468,825.91 spent
OpenGov budgeting software
See Click Fix app
Cityworks integration
Audio/video production improvements
Paylocity/HRIS system
Westover
The city of Westover received $1,843,157.52 all of which is committed to the city’s Holland Avenue and Dunkard Creek pump station projects slated to begin this spring.
Granville
The town of Granville received $1,387,998.17
Sewer and stormwater projects – $593,274.47
Public safety equipment – $247,998
Premium and retention pay – $244,852
Sewer and stormwater maintenance equipment – $166,493.70
Donations to nonprofits – $100,000
Installation of security equipment – $35,380
Star City
The town of Star City received $861,089 of which it has spent $659,499.24. The remaining $201,589.76 has been obligated but not yet spent.
Paving – $415,046.85
City Hall roof (interior and exterior repairs) – $109,992.57
Software update – $76,156.66
Garbage truck repairs – $58,303.16
