LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – It’s been more than four years since the pandemic hit the U.S., but Michigan municipalities are still allocating funds from the federal pandemic relief stimulus which have to be designated by the end of the year.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) requirements.

The National League of Cities stated the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) requires local governments to return grant funding that is not designated for projects to the U.S. Department of Treasury after the end of December 2024.

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When President Joe Biden announced ARPA in January 2021, it was billed as, “Emergency Legislative Package to Fund Vaccinations, Provide Immediate, Direct Relief to Families Bearing the Brunt of the COVID-19 Crisis, and Support Struggling Communities.”

However, governments across the country are finding ways to fund activities beyond the reach of the pandemic.

How did Michigan cities spend the money?

Consider what Michigan cities have allocated ARPA funding for this month:

The Flint City Council is using the pandemic as a reason to spend $850,000 of ARPA money on a program that will help residents fix their roofs. The city program will use a lottery system to pick eight people to have their roofs repaired.

The Saginaw City Council approved $122,200 of ARPA money to hire a vendor to investigate illegal dumping within the city limits. The contract would cover taking citizen complaints on illegal dumping and running and maintain video surveillance and working with law enforcement.

The Battle Creek City Commission approved $258,000 of ARPA money to renovate three parks. That federal pandemic money would be used to buy picnic tables, install benches on the softball fields and buy new benches and trash cans.

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“According to the ARPA Final Rule, investments in outdoor spaces can qualify as eligible uses in several ways,” said Breanne Humphrey, communications manager for the city of Battle Creek, in an email to Michigan News Source. “These include developing neighborhood features that promote improved health and safety outcomes, such as parks, green spaces, recreational facilities, sidewalks, pedestrian safety features like crosswalks, and other projects aimed at revitalizing public spaces.”