AKRON, Ohio — As cities across Northeast Ohio decide how to spend their money from the American Rescue Plan Act, Akron has announced an update on how it plans to spend it.
Mayor Dan Horrigan's cabinet presented an update to Akron City Council on how the City of Akron will allocate $145 million from the American Rescue Plan Act.
According to Mayor Horrigan's office, the city has already used $12.6 million towards a variety of projects.
"This funding represents a significant investment back into our community focusing on areas of key concerns for our residents, including public safety, recreational and green spaces, local businesses, housing, and more," said Mayor Horrigan. "We've been able to focus on areas and residents who have been the most underserved in our community and really target these investments through the lens of equity. We are already seeing a positive impact from these dollars, and I look forward to seeing all the benefits as we are able to ramp up our spending into these key areas.”
Akron's ARPA allocation has announced they are committed to the following program areas:
- Parks & Public Spaces
- Housing
- Violence Prevention
- Budget Stabilization
- Public Utilities
- Access to Healthcare & Social Services
- Small Business Growth
- Premium Pay
- Administrative Expenses
The City of Akron also provided a full breakdown of the allocation of the funds:
Parks & Public Places - $48.3M
- Joy Park Playground
- Perkins Pool & Bathhouse Renovation
- Ed Davis Community Center Renovations
- Lock 3 Vision Plan
- Summit Lake Vision Plan
- Community Center HVAC Upgrades
Housing - $25.7M
- Home Repair Program
- Affordable Housing Acquisition and Rehab Grant Program
- Akron Community Development Corporation Grant Program
- I Promise Affordable Housing Project
Budget Stabilization - $24
Public Utilities - $15.6M
- Akron Cares-Utility Assistance
- Lead Service Renewal and Disconnect Program 2022-2023
- University of Akron 30” Water Main Rehabilitation
- Water Main Replacement Project 2023
Violence Prevention - $10.5M
- Violence Intervention and Prevention Community Grant Program
- South Akron Campus Surveillance Cameras
- Neighborhood Doorbell Cameras
- Flock Cameras
- FUSUS
Premium Pay - $10M
Administrative Expenses - $5.4M
- Guidehouse Consulting Services
- Market Me 24/7
- Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
- City of Akron Website
Small Business Growth - $3M
- Hospitality Reopening Grant Program
- Minority Business Technical Assistance Grant Program
- Small Business Relief Grant
- THRIVE Mentorship Program
Access to Healthcare & Social Services - $2.6M
- AxessPointe Community Health Center
- Financial Coaches-Financial Empowerment Center
Anyone interested in more information can visit the spending dashboard at https://www.akronohiorescue.gov/.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video at the top of the story previously aired on 3News on Nov. 15, 2022.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on May 10, 2021.