Emmet County approves first two township requests for ARPA funding
PETOSKEY — The Emmet County Board of Commissioners reviewed and approved ARPA funding requests from two townships during their meeting on Monday.
The funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which was signed into law on March 11, 2021. It is designed to provide support to local, tribal and state governments in responding to the impacts of COVID-19.
Emmet County has dedicated $1,050,000 of that funding for local municipality projects.
More: How ARPA funds are transforming rural Michigan
“This is part of the American Rescue Plan where we set aside a little over $1 million for our local units of governments — townships, cities and villages,” said county administrator David Boyer during the May 8 meeting.
The county program offers up to $50,000 in matching funds for projects that meet ARPA requirements. The application deadline for the county’s various townships, cities and villages is July 1, 2023.
The first proposal came from Bear Creek Township for a sewer infrastructure upgrade project.
“That is definitely needed to increase the capacity on Bear Creek’s north pump station, which is located on Hiawatha Trail,” Boyer said. “The upgrade would help eliminate the backups and allow the service for new and expanding developments within Bear Creek Township.”
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The second proposal is from Center Township for road improvement work.
“This is a partnership with the road commission to do some improvements in Center Township to Larks Lake Road between Division and Levering,” Boyer said.
According to the board’s agenda materials, the goal of this project is to improve accessibility for residents using Larks Lake Road within Center Township, enhancing their daily lives.
The next Emmet County Board of Commissioners meeting is at 6 p.m. on May 18.
— Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Emmet County approves first two township requests for ARPA funding
