COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners decided Wednesday who will receive the rest of the county’s ARPA funds.
There was $5.4 million of ARPA funds left to be allocated.
Commissioners decided to spend $3 million for upgrades and maintenance of county buildings. County Administrator Bud Norman told Commission Chair Tim Stoll that amount came from estimates of the work needed.
In addition, they approved a funding request from the Branch County Fair. But after a discussion, Stoll and the rest of the Commissioners said the Fair will have to settle for $600,000 for renovations and upgrades to the Dearth Center instead of the $1 million they were seeking.
The Fair was asking for $1 million after the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2020 fair and restrictions that prevented the Dearth Center from hosting large groups.
Another $50,000 was approved for the Great Start Collaborative Program of Branch County which would be used for Family Success Scholarships.
The rest of the funds will be used to replace lost county revenue.
Among the requests turned down was $1 million from the Branch County 911 Communications Board after it was found there was a shortfall of funds from a voter approved phone surcharge for upgrades to the 911 system.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced in July 2022 that over 1,650 communities in Michigan got more than $321 million as part of the second batch of federal American Rescue Program Act payments. The funding can be used to respond to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Branch County’s share came out to about $8.4 million.
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