AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT

FLINT, MI -- The city wants to use American Rescue Plan Act funds to beef up efforts to solve cold case homicides and to start a witness protection program in conjunction with the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office. Green said the effort is focusing on unsolved homicides because the city is already addressing unsolved sexual assault cases through another grant program. The witness protection program, described by Green as the first of its kind in the area, would allocate $300,000 to county Prosecutor David Leyton’s office, which would coordinate the effort. The police chief said he’s unsure how long the $300,000 for the witness protection program will last because each case will require something different for potential witnesses. Read more at The Flint Journal:Flint hopeful proposed witness protection program would help curb crimeMays ordered out of Flint council meeting hours after sending cease and desist lettersGenesee County to pay nearly $1M bill after anti-poverty agency’s deficit plan falls short

FLINT, MI -- A dozen Flint residents have been chosen to serve on a committee that will make recommendations on what groups should administer $15.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds. The city announced the members of its ARPA Community Advisory Committee last week and the group’s work is expected to start after March 27, following the deadline for organizations to apply for funding. The city has until December 2024 to commit its remaining ARPA funds for specific projects and until December 2026 to spend the federal money. Committee members will serve terms of up to six months and will receive a stipend for their time from the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, the city’s announcement says. The Community Foundation of Greater Flint and the Ruth Mott Foundation have also agreed to lend staff support for ARPA committee meetings.

SAGINAW, MI — A consultant agency for the Saginaw City Council warned the elected officials to review — and perhaps reconsider — its decision to allocate $1.3 million in federal stimulus to a local nonprofit. The stimulus funds are yet to be distributed. “As of that date, $1,463,451.24 of federal funds are not properly supported with documentation and are at risk for recoupment by the Federal government. “This is part of what (Guidehouse) is not telling (the council).”The Guidehouse memo represents the latest problem Eggleston faced related to Saginaw’s allocation of $1.3 million to his nonprofit. The Guidehouse memo stated First Ward Community Services officials since then requested the funds cover capital expenses — specifically, to “rehabilitate” the center’s headquarters to expand its capacity.

Final numbers depend on how much more money can be secured for the program and how costly demolitions end up being to the Land Bank, which is coordinating the project. Land Bank officials have built their budget on projections that the average cost of a residential demolition will be $16,000 and $35,000 for small commercial structures that have also been targeted. Although the Land Bank owns more than 10,000 parcels of land in Flint, most of those are lots without structures, Land Bank officials have said. After spending on the new demolition program, roughly 90% of Land Bank properties that have been identified as dangerous or which are adjacent to other occupied buildings or schools are expected to have been torn down. Priestley has been outspoken about addressing blight in the 4th Ward -- both properties held by the Land Bank as well as private owners.

SAGINAW, MI — Two weeks after advocates made the case for financial support, the Houghton-Jones Neighborhood Association in Saginaw received a $400,000 stimulus-funded allocation from elected leaders. The Saginaw City Council voted 8-0 to provide the nonprofit organization with the funds, using part of the city’s $52 million American Rescue Plan Act stimulus. Residents of the Houghton-Jones neighborhood established the nonprofit in 1992. The Houghton-Jones neighborhood sits northeast of downtown Saginaw, near the I-675 expressway. The $52 million stimulus set aside for Saginaw arrived via a $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act signed into law in March 2021.

FLINT, MI -- Representatives of groups interested in helping the city administer $15.6 million in community grants funded by the American Rescue Plan Act can join in a webinar for more information on Thursday, Feb. 2. The city launched its application for eligible organizations to apply for funds to administer community ARPA grants on Monday, Aug. 23. The $15.6 million in funding for those grants is part of Flint’s overall $94.7 million ARPA allocation. The community grants must to obligated by Dec. 31, 2024, and spent by Dec. 31, 2026. Read more at The Flint Journal:Flint opens door for groups to administer $15.6M in ARPA community grantsGM will invest $6.5M in Burton, Ypsilanti parts processing centersAnonymous donor gives $1M for new downtown Flint YMCA project

The first-of-its-kind initiative could be a model for other cities

SAGINAW, MI — Almost two years after lawmakers set aside $52 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for Saginaw, $1.4 million remains for leaders to allocate among community groups, Saginaw City Manager Tim Morales said. The Saginaw City Council at its Monday, Jan. 23, meeting approved sending $20,000 of the American Rescue Plan Act stimulus to the Saginaw Public Libraries. The council began allocating the $52 million American Rescue Plan Act stimulus to outside organizations in September during the first in a series of special meetings dedicated to distributing the wealth. Earlier this month, the council OK’d $19.3 million in stimulus spending for five projects related to municipal services. The $52 million stimulus set aside for Saginaw arrived via a $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act signed into law in March 2021.

Neeley said Monday that residents who filled out forms developed by council members to request ARPA funds have been “misinformed” and said they should wait to apply for funding through the organizations that are eventually chosen to administer community grants by a yet-to-be-named citizens advisory committee. The city was awarded $94.7 million in ARPA funds and has allocated nearly $38 million to date on projects including a massive demolition program and credits to individual water bills. Neeley has proposed spending $15.6 million for what he’s called community grants that are designed to address housing and blight elimination, public health and economic development. Groups that are chosen to dispense the community grants will be capped at charging a 10% administration fee, Chief Financial Officer Robert Widigan said. During a rare Saturday meeting, four council members heard from dozens of residents, many of whom were interested in receiving ARPA funds to improve their homes.

By some eyes, it appeared the council at its Friday, Jan. 13, meeting OK’d $20,000 in stimulus allocations for the Saginaw Public Libraries. The near-vote came immediately before the council adjourned the nearly six-hour-long public meeting. The governing body is slated to vote on the matter at its 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, meeting at Saginaw City Hall, 1315 S. Washington. The Saginaw Public Libraries proposal was part of a slate of youth and workforce development-related initiatives the council planned to consider Jan. 13. The $52 million stimulus set aside for Saginaw arrived via a $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act signed into law in March 2021.

FLINT, MI -- Groups interested in administering community grant programs with part of Flint’s American Rescue Plan Act funds can apply for the job starting Monday, Jan. 23. In Flint, most of those funds remained available as of late last year and $15.6 million has been set aside for community grants. It’s unclear what will happen with application forms developed by members of the City Council, which were distributed during community meetings previously. The council was scheduled to meet in a special session on Saturday, Jan. 21, to discuss ARPA funds, “particularly individuals or entities who have submitted a request for ARPA funds” by using the forms previously distributed. Read more at The Flint Journal:Flint residents won’t get ARPA funds by filling out council form, CFO saysWith $60M left to spend, Flint council will need more time to set ARPA budgetGM to invest $579M in Flint, $216M in Bay City for next-generation V-8 engine

The Saginaw City Council voted 8-1 in favor of the projects during a Friday, Jan. 13, meeting. At an $8.1 million cost, the ventilation investment represents the priciest of the five projects, city records indicated. “The ventilation within this building is something we need to get done,” Saginaw City Manager Tim Morales said. “The parking structure is very important to the (Old Saginaw City) business district,” Reinsch said. The council voted in 2022 on several multimillion-dollar investments for the stimulus Saginaw received from the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Many tax benefits instituted during the pandemic have lapsed, which means some people could see smaller refunds.

SAGINAW, MI — American Rescue Plan Act stimulus spending will serve as the centerpiece talking point during a special strategy session for Saginaw’s elected leaders this week. The council voted in 2022 on several multimillion-dollar investments for the stimulus Saginaw received from the U.S. Department of Treasury. While those recommendations included spending $10 million on youth development programs, there was no advisement related to workforce development. Saginaw stimulus spending picked up in the latter months of 2022. The $52 million stimulus set aside for Saginaw arrived via a $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act signed into law in March 2021.

The tax agency said millions of workers paid tax on unemployment aid that they didn't owe.

SAGINAW, MI — A replacement stage at Ojibway Island and program expansions at four Saginaw community centers will constitute $825,000 of Saginaw County’s $37 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) stimulus fund spending. During a Tuesday, Dec. 20, meeting, the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners approved the spending initiatives to benefit community centers First Ward Community Service, Saginaw County Community Action Committee, YMCA of Saginaw, and Youth Development Corp.First Ward Community Center and Saginaw County Community Action Committee received $250,000 apiece to advance their respective programming, YMCA of Saginaw received $150,000, and Youth Development Corp. received $100,000. The board also approved providing $100,000 of county ARPA funds to the City of Saginaw for replacing Ojibway Island’s deteriorating stage, where bands perform during events there. Saginaw County Controller Robert Belleman said the $100,000 would not cover the complete cost for the stage replacement. He said Saginaw City Manager Tim Morales and Mayor Brenda Moore indicated plans to pursue the additional funding using the city’s budget resources.

Many tax benefits instituted during the pandemic have lapsed, which means some people could see smaller refunds.

Many tax benefits instituted during the pandemic have lapsed, which means some people could see smaller refunds.

Many tax benefits instituted during the pandemic have lapsed, which means some people could see smaller refunds.

Many tax benefits instituted during the pandemic have lapsed, which means some people could see smaller refunds.

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI — With an increasing number of domestic violence cases in recent years, Ottawa County has decided to set aside $1 million in federal funding for a new countywide crime victim fund. In total, Ottawa County received $57 million from ARPA. Of that total, $1 million has been allocated to the new Ottawa County Prosecutor’s Crime Victim Assistance Fund, which will provide funding to victims of crime, especially in domestic violence and homicide cases. “Last year, we used up all the state money in less than nine months,” said Ottawa County Prosecutor Lee Fisher. The Ottawa County Prosecutor’s Crime Victim Assistance Fund will not be used for any restitution, which is money the offender owes the victim through a court order.

FLINT, MI -- Residents who are interested in evaluating requests for American Rescue Plan Act community grants in Flint can apply to join a Community Advisory Committee that will make recommendations to the mayor and City Council. Applications for the ARPA committee are due by 5 p.m. on Jan. 5, the city said in a news release on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Committee members must be Flint residents and applicants are being asked about their knowledge of the city, areas of expertise, community involvement, and any other relevant experience. The Community Foundation of Greater Flint and Ruth Mott Foundation have also agreed to lend staff support for ARPA committee meetings, according to the city. Read more at The Flint Journal:Judges pick Clemons to replace Gleason as next Genesee County clerk-registerNeeley takes oath for second term as Flint mayor, continues unity messageI-475 work closing northbound lanes, ramps in Flint

SAGINAW, MI — Saginaw will chip in $5 million for a new $15 million behavioral health clinic in the community. Officials have said the behavioral health clinic project was tied to a larger, $100 million investment in Saginaw’s riverside medical corridor. Many details of the $100 million project have been kept from the public view — including the behavioral health clinic — with some advocates muted in part by nondisclosure agreements. “Our children need access to mental health professionals who know what they’re doing; adults need this as well,” she said. The $5 million behavioral health clinic investment was among the endorsed initiatives.

SAGINAW, MI — The Saginaw City Council will host another special meeting dedicated to considering projects that could receive funding via the city’s $52 million American Rescue Plan Act federal stimulus. In determining how to distribute the $52 million stimulus, the Saginaw City Council in part has followed recommendations provided this summer by a council-appointed advisory group. In October, the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners voted to spend $5 million of its $37 million American Rescue Plan Act money on the project. For the Saginaw City Council, the September meeting was not the first gathering where the group determined how to spend its federal stimulus dollars. The $52 million stimulus set aside for Saginaw arrived via a $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act signed into law in March 2021.

Roughly 14% of Michiganders have medical debt

FLINT, MI -- Funding for an extensive renovation and expansion of Berston Field House has been given final approval by the Flint City Council, an action that will send $11.5 million in grant and city American Rescue Plan Act funds to the project. The council accepted $10 million from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and added $1.5 million in city ARPA funds for the work during its meeting on Monday, Nov, 15. “Berston has been a community gem since 1923,” Ridgway White, president and chief executive officer of the foundation said in a news release from Mott. Mott said its grant is part of a focused effort by the foundation to support improvements at multiple community centers throughout the city. Read more at The Flint Journal:Mott Foundation buys into massive improvements at Berston Field House with $10M grant$11.5M for Flint’s historic Berston Field House gets initial approvalBerston Field House director signs 25-year lease with Flint

SAGINAW, MI — Saginaw County leaders recommended spending $780,750 of the county’s $37 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds on five community projects. The Saginaw County Board of Commissioners could endorse that recommendation at a 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, meeting at the Saginaw County Governmental Center in Old Saginaw City. The committee considered $10.2 million in proposals Tuesday, but tabled several of the projects until after a joint meeting could be arranged between leaders of both Saginaw County and Saginaw, which wields $52 million in ARPA funds. County leaders said they hoped to determine which Saginaw-based projects city leaders may fund before the county commits its own dollars. “I would like to get the biggest bang for our buck as possible,” Saginaw County Commissioner Christopher Boyd said.

SAGINAW, MI — Officials here next week will present details on the city’s new home rehabilitation program funded by American Rescue Plan Act stimulus funds. A presentation for the program is planned for the Saginaw City Council’s meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at Saginaw City Hall, 1315 S. Washington. The council in September approved $3.8 million to create a grant program offering funds to improve owner-occupied housing in Saginaw, using the city’s $52 million stimulus provided in 2021. Residents unable to attend the Nov. 21 meeting can watch the gathering televised live on Charter Spectrum’s channel 191; or on the city’s YouTube channel. The $52 million stimulus set aside for Saginaw arrived via a $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act signed into law in March 2021.

SAGINAW, MI — The retiring chairman of the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners said the governing board by year’s end could decide which community projects to support using the county’s $37 million in American Rescue Plan Act stimulus funds. When commissioners last year asked community members to submit initiatives the commission could consider supporting via the stimulus money, they received 70 proposals. The committee will consider recommending spending up to $10.2 million total on 11 community projects proposed by nonprofits, organizations and education leaders from across the county. The largest: In June, commissioners OK’d spending $11.6 million of its $37 million federal stimulus money on 18 projects. Read more on MLive:Saginaw County reports record turnout for 2022 election, following state trendVoters reduce Democratic majority on Saginaw County Board of CommissionersFormer Tuscola County commissioner elected as state representative, AP reports

FLINT, MI -- The Flint City Council has given initial approval to accepting a $10-million grant and spending $1.5 million more in American Rescue Plan Act funds for a massive renovation and additions to Berston Field House. Bryant Nolden, a Genesee County commissioner and executive director of the Friends of Berston Field House, which operates the facility, told the council there is still work to do to raise $26 million to complete the project. Nolden said his group, which signed a 25-year lease to operate the field house in 2020, is prepared to begin constructing a 57,000-square-foot addition to the building on Saginaw Street in March. Earlier this year, the city renamed Spencer Street, which is located across from Berston, as Claressa Shields Street. Read more at The Flint Journal:Mott Foundation buys into massive improvements at Berston Field House with $10M grantBerston Field House director signs 25-year lease with FlintState budget plan includes $3M for Flint programs, including $1M for Berston Field House

Individuals and families who missed out on the $1,400 stimulus checks, child tax credit and earned income tax credit in 2021 still have time to claim.

The council’s proposed ARPA budget included nearly $18 million for community grants tied to neighborhood improvement, economic development, public safety, public health and youth development. 1st Ward Councilman Eric Mays attempted to call for a vote on the proposed council ARPA budget Monday, saying there weren’t enough votes to approve it. Priestley said Tuesday, Oct. 18, that the council ARPA proposal was developed without input from the mayor and his administration. The councilwoman called the proposed budget imperfect but said it took into account the views of other council members and citizens. Council President Dennis Pfeiffer and 9th Ward Councilwoman Eva Worthing were absent from the meeting, leaving just four of nine council members present.

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The county is on the verge of spending an additional $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to expand sewer capacity in its southeast corner, hoping that investment will pay off in further economic development there. The county Board of Commissioners gave initial approval on Wednesday, Sept. 28, to joining in on the Kearsley Creek interceptor project, which would expand public sewer capacity and access in the area and which had been requested by Grand Blanc, Atlas and Davison townships as well as the village of Goodrich.

LANSING, MI – Camping improvement projects are underway at two Michigan state parks. The projects at Straits State Park in Mackinac County and Cheboygan State Park in Cheboygan County are the first of 11 across the state made possible by a slice of American Rescue Plan Act funds. “The bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan made some of the largest infrastructure investments in Michigan history, including the biggest one-time investment in our state parks ever,” said Gov. “The recent demolition at Straits State Park is significant,” said DNR Parks and Recreation Chief Ron Olson. “The work officially sets into motion a historic level of investment – made possible through federal relief funding – in Michigan’s state parks and recreation system.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — In a state with the second-most federally recognized Indigenous tribes in the country, California officials and tribal leaders announced an initiative earlier this month to drive up tourism in native communities. Tribes announced it in partnership with Visit California, the state’s main tourism marketing agency. The plaza, which will open next year, hosts the 48,000-square-foot Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, a trail and a spa at the sacred Agua Caliente mineral hot spring. Agua Caliente Tribe of Cahuilla Indians tribal chairman Reid Milanovich introduces the "Visit Native California" statewide tourism initiative at the new Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza in downtown Palm Springs, Calif., Sept. 14, 2022. “Cultural tourism to us is so important for many, many reason,” said Sherry Rupert, American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association President and CEO.

SAGINAW, MI — Saginaw will spend $11.6 million of its $52 million in American Rescue Plan Act federal stimulus funds on four initiatives aimed at revitalizing the city’s housing stock. The Saginaw City Council approved the measures during a special meeting Monday, Sept. 26, when members debated how to use the federal funds specifically to address housing and blight issues. The first stimulus expenditure was approved in February, when the council OK’d its contract with Guidehouse, a consultant helping Saginaw with its stimulus-spending strategy. The $52 million stimulus set aside for Saginaw arrived via a $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act signed into law in March 2021. With candidate pool narrowed, voters to choose Saginaw County judge in NovemberCounty commissioner seat for Saginaw city, township up for grabs in electionFashion Square Mall in Saginaw Township purchased by Midland Mall owners

SAGINAW, MI — Housing and blight elimination will serve as the focus of the first in a series of Saginaw City Council meetings that could determine how the municipality spends $52 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) stimulus. The council will participate in the workshop at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26, at Saginaw City Hall, 1315 S. Washington. On Monday, Sept. 12, the council voted to spend up to $1.3 million on demolishing the remaining buildings at the former Saginaw County fairgrounds in the city. The first stimulus expenditure was approved in February, when the council OK’d its contract with Guidehouse, a consultant helping Saginaw with its stimulus-spending strategy. The $52 million stimulus set aside for Saginaw arrived via a $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act signed into law in March 2021.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Kent County released a catalogue Friday detailing 319 projects seeking a share of $127.6 million in COVID-19 stimulus funding the county received in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Together, the funding requests total roughly $2 billion, far exceeding the amount of available dollars. “We thank everyone who participated in our community engagement process and submitted a funding proposal,” Kent County Board of Commissioners Chair Stan Stek said in a statement. Another noteworthy request was from the Kent County Permanent Housing Coordinating Council. The project’s total price tag is listed at $140.6 million.

WHITE CLOUD, MI – The stage has been set for the completion of Michigan’s Dragon Trail at Hardy Dam. Twenty-two miles are already open to the public with more than 12 miles in Newaygo County and more than eight miles in Mecosta County. Trail builders with Spectrum Trail Design LLC are in the process of building 14 more miles of trail. Later this Fall, a 7.6-mile connection between Newaygo State Park and Brower County Park will open to the public. The economic impact we are already seeing from this project made it a priority for Newaygo County to complete the Dragon Trail,” said County Administrator Chris Wren.

MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI – The proposed 3-mile paved Lake Harbor Trail between two Lake Michigan parks is moving forward with formal approval to spend $2 million on it. The Norton Shores City Council on Tuesday, Sept. 6, agreed to allocate American Rescue Plan Act money for the trail along Lake Harbor Road in Muskegon County. The path will connect the city’s Lake Harbor Park on Lake Michigan with P.J. The Lake Harbor trail is proposed to be 8 feet wide. Its exact route will be determined in consultation with engineers hired by the city, Murphy said.

SAGINAW, MI — Saginaw City Council members preached patience as they pore over hundreds of proposals for spending $52 million in American Rescue Plan Act stimulus money. At the group’s Monday, Aug. 29 meeting, council members said they plan to schedule a special meeting to begin “creating a consensus” about how to spend the federal dollars. The committee — as (the City Council) agreed — was to give us a base guideline. One of the 15-person group’s own members, Jeffrey Bulls, told council members that the committee’s work was incomplete. Several Saginaw council members on Monday expressed gratitude to the advisory committee they appointed as well as Guidehouse staff.

FLINT, MI -- Two senior centers in the city are in line to receive funding from both the American Rescue Plan Act and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, a total investment of more than $1 million for new roofs, electrical upgrades, flooring and other improvements. The Flint City Council could take up three separate resolutions to make the upgrades and repairs a reality at both the Brennan and Hasselbring Senior Centers when it next meets on Monday, Aug. 22.

Officials said a clerical mishap led the 16-page report to include a detail that a Saginaw City Council-appointed advisory committee did not wish to highlight in the document. Veronica Horn, a member of the Saginaw advisory committee, said the university’s prospects for growing its Saginaw presence was discussed as a possibility while planning the stimulus-spending recommendations. The council appointed the 15-member advisory committee in January. Later this month, Guidehouse staff and members of the stimulus-spending advisory committee plan to discuss the report that resulted from that work. They will host a report presentation during the 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 29, Saginaw City Council meeting at City Hall, 1315 S. Washington.

Your $1,400 stimulus check from last spring may be long gone by now, but other funds from the American Rescue Plan Act are still being doled out. Michigan governments are getting a combined $10.3 billion in ARPA stimulus dollars. The first half was sent in 2021 and the second half is going out this summer.

A judge has dismissed Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s demands that the state stop sending millions in federal COVID-19 relief money to schools that don’t have mask requirements or that close due to COVID-19 outbreaks. The state filed the lawsuit earlier this year after the U.S. Treasury Department demanded that Ducey either restructure the $163 million program to eliminate restrictions it says undermine public health recommendations or face a repayment demand. The Treasury Department also wanted changes to a $10 million program Ducey created that gives private school tuition money to parents if their children’s schools have mask mandates.

Unless Congress takes action, enhanced premium subsidies that have been in place for 2021 and 2022 will disappear after this year.

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Kalamazoo County is another step closer to doling out millions of dollars, with a plan to score 131 applications seeking a portion of more than $51 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) stimulus funds. At its Tuesday, June 21 meeting, the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners created six subcommittees of the board to review and score ARPA applications, County Administrator/Controller Kevin A. Catlin told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette. Provision of Government Services (Internal department applications): Chair Mike Quinn; Commissioners Roger Tuinier, Jeff Heppler, and Jen Strebs. The Provision of Government Services subcommittee was prioritized by the board for the review of applications and funding. The subcommittees will utilize the county’s online grant management software, Amplifund, to review and score the applications.

BAY CITY, MI - Qualified Bay County residents can now get an extra financial boost to help them overcome hardships related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bay County Board of Commissioners set aside $1,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to create a household assistance program. “Bay County’s Household Assistance Program is designed to help residents who have been impacted the most by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jim Barcia, county executive. Applicants to the Bay County program must have a COVID-related hardship since March 3, 2021. Read more from MLiveFirst mosquito borne virus of 2022 detected in Bay CountyJune is officially LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Bay City this year, after mayor issues proclamationExpect lane closures on Bay City’s Independence Bridge during upcoming inspectionConcert lineup announced for new Labadie Rib Fest in Bay City

FLINT, MI -- Mayor Sheldon Neeley rolled out a general plan for spending American Rescue Plan Act funds on Tuesday, June 14, but several members of the City Council said the plan is too thin on specifics and too short on details. Appearing before a special meeting of the council, Neeley said his proposal for spending Flint’s allocation of $94.7 million in ARPA funds is broadly designed, allowing his administration and the council to work out the particulars on specific projects. 6th Ward Councilwoman Tonya Burns said the mayor’s presentation to the council was carefully packaged but empty inside. The council and the mayor staged separate community meetings on ARPA in the north, south, east and west sections of the city. Read more at The Flint Journal:EPA sending on-scene coordinators to assist in Flint River oil spillCensure motion fails but Flint councilman says he deserved itFlint mayor’s ARPA plan calls for across-the-board cuts in water bills

FLINT, MI -- Mayor Sheldon Neeley will roll out his plan for spending the city’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds in a special meeting this week. An announcement from the mayor’s office on Monday, June 13, said Neeley will present his plan during a special meeting of the City Council at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, in council chambers inside Flint City Hall. Chief Financial Officer Robert Widigan told the City Council of that portion of the plan during a special committee meeting on May 31. The special meeting will be live-streamed on the City Council’s YouTube page, the announcement from the city says. Read more at The Flint Journal:Flint plans to use $8.1M in ARPA funds to cut into $14M deficitFlint plans to build up blight department before massive demolition program beginsVoters could be asked to change Flint Township’s name in November referendum

On Wednesday, June 1, Tree Town residents can tell the city how to spend $500,000 in federal money set aside for the arts.

The city of Detroit is addressing digital equity with a new $10 million fiber-optic pilot project. The pilot will be funded by federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act and will take place in the Hope Village neighborhood.

City of Ann Arbor officials are seeking community input on what to do with $24.1 million allocated to Tree Town from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

A federal judge has blocked the U.S. Treasury from enforcing a provision of the American Rescue Plan that prohibited states from using the pandemic relief funds to offset new tax cuts.

There’s free money out there waiting to be claimed, and there are people willing to help you do it for free.

In October, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan introduced the Renew Detroit program. The program will provide free home repairs to eligible city homeowners using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The city of Detroit is slated to receive $826 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) -- the fifth highest amount behind cities like New York and Chicago.

The city of Detroit is receiving hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal government, and Detroiters are being asked to share their thoughts on how the money should be spent during a meeting Tuesday.

The city of Detroit is receiving hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and Detroiters are being asked to share their thoughts on how the money should be spent.