South Guilford News

During a special work session on Thursday, September 15, 2022, the Guilford County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) heard presentations from organizations seeking ARPA funding for workforce readiness initiatives, entrepreneurial support, community health clinics, a community resource hub, youth wellness programs, housing and support for people experiencing homelessness, and arts initiatives.

Guilford County received $104,339,752 in a federal allocation of Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds

(ARPA funds). As of August 18, 2022, more than $58 million is obligated, leaving $45.7 million remaining. At the Sept. 15 work session, the BOCC voted to allocate $8.3 million from the county’s ARPA funds and heard presentations from eleven municipalities and community organizations about projects to support community and workforce development and the arts.

Funding approved at Thursday’s ARPA work session includes:

$5.5 million                  City of High Point to support projects with the Bridge, D-UP Inc., and YMCA High Point

• $2 million for The Bridge to transform a former police station into a comprehensive community-based center designed to increase access to healthy foods, health services, job skill training, agribusiness development, and youth development. Partners in the project include the Hayden-Harman Foundation, Growing High Point, and Resilience High Point.
• $3 million for the D-UP Inc. Washington Street Enhancement Project to revitalize historic Washington Street into a thriving and distinctive district and support the D-UP expansion goal to serve more youth and families with a message to “Restore the Hope” of the community. The project supports development of a year-round state-of-the-art STEM, gymnasium complex, and arts facility for all ages and abilities and a central location to bring communities and visitors together for high quality fitness, education, arts and culture, recreation, and social opportunities.
• $500,000 to the YMCA of High Point for the Out of School Time (OST) and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and Enrichment/Physical Activity Program at the YMCA of High Point Hartley and Chavis Branches.

$2.8 million                  Town of Jamestown for sidewalks, parks, and stormwater improvements

• $2.29 million to construct just over 1 mile of sidewalks on East Main Street from Vickery Chapel Road to Mills Road (.6 miles); Ragsdale Road and Gannaway Street from East Main Street to Gannaway Street (.25 miles); and West Main Street from Oakdale Road to Dillon Road (.2 miles).
• $315,205 to support two new shelters, a dog park, the relocation of sand volleyball, a natural play area and trail, and the renovation of a basketball court; and to replace the playground at Jamestown Park to serve children of all abilities. Jamestown plans to use to funds to match PARTF and Accessibility for Parks (AFP) grant funding.
• $210,000 to shore up a small dam located on the Jamestown Park golf course. The dam is adjacent to a major water supply lake and funds will help ensure safety and prevent failure of the small dam.

Guilford County received $104 million in ARPA funds, delivered in two tranches in July 2021 and July 2022. More than 2,200 Guilford County residents participated in community outreach events and online feedback forums to share their priorities for investment of ARPA dollars. Using this input information, the BOC identified investment priorities of: Healthy Early Childhood Environments; Small Business, Economy & Workforce Development; County COVID needs; Strong Community; Access to Healthcare; Broadband & Digital Inclusion; Behavioral Health & Substance Misuse; and Housing & Homelessness.

Thursday’s meeting is the fourth in a series of work sessions to review proposals for ARPA funding that align with BOCC priorities.

Including the proposals approved by the BOCC Thursday, the county has now allocated almost $67 million to programs supporting each priority area.

Original source can be found here.