Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said Monday that American Rescue Plan Act recovery funds passed two years ago this month continue to support critical economic recovery for community businesses and organizations.
The City has assigned all $45.8 million in ARPA funds to qualified programs and has spent $21 million since the funding began in 2021. “The investments my administration is making through our American Rescue Plan allocation have provided immediate, direct relief to support our local economic recovery,” says Gaylor Baird. “At the same time, we continue to invest in our families, our local businesses, and our workforce in ways that solidify Lincoln’s economic vitality and resilience far into the future.
Mayor Gaylor Baird highlighted several grant programs administered by the City. $6.8 million allowed 263 small businesses to cover rent/mortgage payments for up to 6 months or $60,000. $1.3 million was provided to 113 small businesses to cover water and electric payments for up to a year. Over 160 small businesses were impacted because landlords were able to qualify buildings which included multiple business tenants.
Gaylor Baird says $12 million was allocated to six non-profit groups to offer workforce training or fund capital projects. The American Job Center $2.7 million relocation and renovation project used $1.5 million in ARPA funds. The Lincoln Action Program, which trains participants to obtain associate degrees and provides supportive services such as child care and transportation assistance, received $1 million.
$4.3 million provided to 14 local tourist non-profit organizations whose operations were impacted by the pandemic.