Greene County awards nearly $23 million in coronavirus ARPA aid, half of its federal funds

Andrew Sullender, Springfield News-Leader
·1 min read
Burrell Behavioral Crisis Center's Rapid Access Unit (RAU), located at 800 S. Park Ave. in Springfield, is open 24/7 for individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder crisis.
Burrell Behavioral Crisis Center's Rapid Access Unit (RAU), located at 800 S. Park Ave. in Springfield, is open 24/7 for individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder crisis.

The Greene County Commission awarded nearly $23 million in the first

distribution of American Rescue Plan Act funding on Thursday.

There are 66 eligible categories in the ARPA legislation. The legislation strongly suggests that counties and municipalities consider and incorporate an equity focus to ensure underrepresented and underserved community pockets receive eligible funding.

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden last year. More than $673 billion of those funds were set aside for state and local governments.

Greene County is set to receive a total of $56.9 million in federal ARPA funds to support local economic recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

More: Greene County opens ARPA funding application for small businesses

Burrell Behavioral Health and the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds received the largest amount of ARPA funds, $5.3 and $5 million respectfully.

Below is a list of the organizations and the amount that the Greene County Commission approved for them to receive:

  • Greene County Family Justice Center Alliance - $855,670

  • Habitat for Humanity of Springfield, Missouri - $475,000

  • Missouri State University - $1.455 million

  • Ozarks Technical Community College - $750,000

  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield - $2 million

  • Burrell Behavioral Health - $5.325 million

  • Ozark Empire Fairgrounds - $5 million

  • Vecino Group - $4.5 million

  • Neighborhood Coalition Group - $1.5 million

  • Council of Churches of the Ozarks - $1 million

“Today marks a major milestone in the ARPA process,” said Greene County Presiding

Commissioner Bob Dixon in a statement.

“We are pleased to make these awards in our county and we are grateful for what each of these excellent organizations does in our county every day. It was difficult to narrow the field as all the applicants make such a difference for our citizens."

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Greene County awards nearly $23 million in coronavirus ARPA grants