Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan and Guilford County Commission Chair Melvin “Skip” Alston will travel to Washington DC on Thursday, September 22, to join North Carolina leaders for the “Communities in Action: Building a Better North Carolina” event at the White House. The event is the second in a series hosted by the White House to discuss how the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and CHIPS and Science Act are benefiting North Carolinians. Chairman Alston and Mayor Vaughan will each share how ARPA is positively impacting residents in Greensboro and across Guilford County.
“The City of Greensboro is using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to provide affordable housing to those most in need, including disabled veterans,” said Mayor Vaughan. “Furthermore, minority-and women-owned businesses will be able to expand and major City projects are moving forward. Many of our residents avoided evictions or foreclosures, giving them peace of mind, thanks to this critical funding.”
“The American Rescue Plan Act funding is helping us address a broad range of issues in our community, including many long existing inequities laid bare by the pandemic,” said Chairman Alston. “From improving health and protecting our seniors and children to life/safety improvements and multi-functional community centers and parks, the investments made today will deliver jobs, economic opportunity, and improved quality of life for all Guilford County residents well into the future.”
The City of Greensboro received $59.4 million. Funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and spent by December 31, 2026. The City will free up $59.4 million in general City funds that will be spent on a wider range of community needs and City Council initiatives. To date, the City has spent ARPA grant funds for housing, public safety, parks and recreation, and other critical City government services. Learn more about the City’s ARPA funding at www.greensboro-nc.gov/ARP.
The City also received $2 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help residents whose household was financially affected by COVID-19. These funds were used to pay rent and utilities or make overdue mortgage payments.
Guilford County received $104.3 million in ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds delivered in two equal payments in July of 2021 and 2022. The County engaged with more than 2,200 residents at community events and through online feedback forums to determine priority areas for investment. To date, the County has allocated nearly $67 million in ARPA funds: $49 million directly to municipalities for increased access to reliable water systems, fire prevention, comprehensive community centers, parks, sidewalks, and accessible playgrounds; and $18 million to support county-led programs primarily serving underserved communities to reduce infant mortality rates, improve access to grow and buy healthy food, identify and address systems contributing to and perpetuating inequities in health, protect and care for seniors and children who experience abuse, double the number of licensed foster homes, and, in partnership with the City of Greensboro, UNCG and Legal Aid North Carolina, prevent homelessness for families and individuals facing eviction by providing eviction mediation support and education. The Board of County Commissioners is conducting regular work sessions to review proposals and allocate the remaining $37.4 million in alignment with Board and community priorities. Learn more about the county’s ARPA program and view the ARPA dashboard on the county’s website.
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