COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners gave formal approval on Tuesday to the distribution of American Rescue Program Act funds.
Commissioners decided to spend $3 million for upgrades and maintenance of county buildings.
They also approved a $600,000 funding request from the Branch County Fair. 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.
Commissioners decided in recent months to spend $1 million of ARPA funds for a County broadband project as well as $42,000 for the broadband feasibility study, $10,000 for a broadband audit analysis, $500,000 for retention and recruitment, $150,000 for EMS training, and $1,298,000 to fund new deputies for a 24-hour Branch County Sheriff’s Department road patrol.
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 ARPA payments. Branch County’s share came out to about $8.4 million.
I could use a couple million to clean up my neighborhood as most of my neighbors use their property for refuse storage.