On February 17, 2009 President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). In response, the Manager's Office organized a team of staff members across several county departments whose purpose was to identify Recovery Act grant opportunities that matched the needs of the county and once approved by the Board, submit applications to seek funding.
Here is an update of those efforts:
Park and Recreation's Greenway Planning Division Park and Recreation's Greenway Planning Division will receive $1.1M from the state for the construction of a 1.1 mile section of West Branch Rocky River Greenway.
Park and Recreation's Greenway Planning Division will receive $1.25M from the state for the completion of Toby Creek Greenway.
Park and Recreation's Capital Planning Division received Board approval at the April 7th meeting to apply for $800,000 in funds from the NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ) for the Park Road Park Lake project. They were recently informed by DWQ that the project was not selected to receive funding. Capital Planning is also partnering with the city on the Revolution Pond project. The city will receive $577,000 for this project from DWQ.
Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services has been awarded $2.6M for the Torrence Creek Restoration Project from the NC Department of Water Quality.
Real Estate Services has applied for the allocated $649,500 for Mecklenburg County from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG). The County will install solar hot water systems on 4 county facilities, one CMS school and one CPCC facility.
Mecklenburg County Air Quality was awarded $1.1M in funds from the US Environmental Protection Agency. Air Quality will use the funds to award Diesel Emission Reduction Grants to local public and private organizations.
Mecklenburg County Community Support Services will receive $500,000 in funds from the US Department of Justice. The funds will be used to provide transitional housing for domestic violence victims.
Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services will receive funds and/or benefits for several programs administered by the department, including:
- $2.7M in Medicaid savings
- $166,068 in Senior Nutrition funds for Congregate Meals and Home Delivered Meals
- Applied for $1,051,912 for replacement of 6 current fleet vehicles as well as 3 new vehicles, for replacement mobile radio units and radio base station, replacement time clock, and new fareboxes, new portable wheelchair ramps, new bus stop signs, and vehicle lettering and logos and $399,000 for Mobile Data Devices (MDU's). To date, DSS has been awarded $551,000 of the $1,051,912 requested.
- Food and Nutrition Services Revenues of $472,464, will be used for temporary staffing and technology purposes for the increase demand for food assistance.
- $3,122,838 in Child Care Subsidy funds to assist families that meet the poverty level income threshold with child care needs.
Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services received permission at the September 1st Board meeting to submit an application for ARRA-TANF Emergency Contingency Funds to establish a Subsidized Employment program for TANF eligible participants. The amount of funds will be determined once they are available.
Mecklenburg County Health Department received Board approval at the October 20th meeting to apply for up to $20M in funds for the Health Prevention and Wellness grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services. The funds can be used for obesity prevention, physical activity and nutrition activities, tobacco prevention and control activities.
Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office will receive approximately $1M in grant money from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's $4.26M Justice Assistance Grant allocation.
Mecklenburg County outside agencies and/or partners will receive the following Recovery Act funds:
- City Economic Development - $1.6M for Youth Employment Program
- Neighborhood Development - $1.9M for Homelessness Initiatives
- CW Williams Health Center - $226,000 for the uninsured
- $3,122,838 in Child Care Subsidy funds to assist families that meet the poverty level income threshold with child care needs.
