Our community received a collective $56.7 million in ARPA funds for use in COVID-19 recovery efforts. These funds from the federal government were designated for use, by the U.S. Department of Treasury, in the following eligible areas:
In addition to funding households, small businesses and schools, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides relief funds to state, local and tribal governments that have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. These funds can be used by governments to respond to the public health and economic emergency, provide premium pay to essential workers, replace revenue lost due to the pandemic, and make necessary investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure. Eligible units of government were allocated ARPA funds based on a methodology created and implemented by the U.S. Treasury.
When the final rule for the program was released in 2022, Vigo County and the City of Terre Haute began a collaborative process to evaluate potential uses of the funds and create individual plans of action, which were presented respectively to the City and County Councils. Upon approval of the overall plans, individual project stakeholders were invited to present to the Council(s) to request an appropriation of ARPA funds for their project.
SEELYVILLE, Ind. (WTHI) - Thrive West Central held a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday for the Graham-Cunningham development project.
It's part of the Homes for the Future program.
The project adds 18 new single-family homes to Seelyville.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) — Thrive West Central held a ribbon-cutting for the new Southard Acres West residential development on Wednesday.
Seventeen new single-family homes were unveiled on North 14th Street in Terre Haute. The project was funded using READI funding.
Thrive's CEO expressed appreciation for the partnerships that made the project possible.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) — Happiness Bag in Terre Haute has recently completed a $3.5 million renovation, bringing new opportunities for the community it serves. Jodi Moan, who has long been involved with Happiness Bag, spoke about the impact of the renovations.
"Seeing you know, listening to the laughter, to conversations, to know that they are the reason we do all this and what it's gonna mean to them," Moan said. Moan began her journey at Happiness Bag with a summer job, which turned into a lifelong career.
She works with individuals with disabilities, whom she affectionately calls her "friends." Mark Clinkenbeard noted the importance of the renovations. "This was something the commissioners and the council were very supportive of and we can't think of a better thing to use it for than something like this," Clinkenbeard said.
The City of Terre Haute contributed $750,000 in ARPA funds to the renovation. The updated facilities now offer a sensory room, an infirmary, and a kitchen, as Moan's "friends" enjoy cooking.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Families in the Terre Haute area will soon have a new, state-of-the-art learning center available for them.
Wednesday morning, Chances and Services for Youth held a groundbreaking ceremony for their new early learning center.
The facility will be able to provide affordable childcare and early education to over 190 kids.
CASY is expecting the center to be ready for use next summer.