McGee said the department is working closely with communities on ways to leverage the funds to have the largest economic impact and drive the most economic recovery. The State has provided and streamlined ARPA guidance and requirements to give communities broader flexibility and greater simplicity in spending the funds. The money can be used for to rebuild downtowns, elevate public health and infrastructure, and more. He encouraged communities to take the broad view and leverage funding to make the largest regional impact.
Using ARPA funding to make transformational investments in the region
February 28, 2022
How communities within the region will spend American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to strengthen and support businesses, residents and quality of life is important. The $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill President Biden signed into law almost a year ago has infused our region with millions in funding to build and expand infrastructure, support struggling small businesses and working parents, revitalize our downtowns and forge a path to economic recovery.
During the most recent Legislative Event Series, four speakers highlighted the ways in which their cities are using, or plan to use, ARPA funding to make transformational investments in the areas of talent attraction and development, placemaking, creating a business-friendly environment and economic recovery - which are the Chamber’s four Regional Advocacy Priorities. Advancing these priorities will give us a foundation for addressing workforce shortages and elevate the success of businesses, workers and families throughout the region.
During the event, we learned how ARPA funds will and can be used in the City of Moline, Rock Island and communities across the region. Through the support of our annual event sponsors: AM General, Arconic, Constellation, Iowa Solar, Stanley Consultants, and our location sponsor TaxSlayer Center, we were able to provide business and community leaders throughout our region with important information and show how it ties into our collective goal of creating a vibrant region where all can thrive.
Jonathan McGee, Deputy Director of Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
Moline City Administrator Bob Vitas
Vitas said the $20.7 million ARPA funding it received is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The City will spend $14 million in unrestricted ARPA funds to achieve goals within its three-year strategic plan. More than $9 million will be spent on infrastructure improvements, including projects to expand broadband; road, sewer and water improvements; and to reduce flooding impacts. It will spend $1.6 million on quality of place improvements, such as bikeways and multimodal transportation, and has already earmarked $500,000 to expand childcare programs. The remaining unrestricted funds will be used to boost the economy such as projects that include the development of the I-74 realignment zone. Vitas said the restricted ARPA funds will be used to stabilize the economy, including assisting small business, public health, and water, sewer and broadband improvements.
Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms
Thoms said the City received $26.5 million in ARPA dollars and hired an ARPA manager to engage residents and businesses to identify and balance where the funds can best be spent and be leveraged to address bigger projects. For instance, Sunset Marina was heavily damaged in a recent flood and while FEMA awarded the City money for repairs, it requires a match that is not in the current budget. He said the Rock Island City Council did already approve one ARPA appropriation, $2.5 million for a downtown streetscaping project in order to leverage a $3 million state grant application that would advance its goals of revitalizing the city’s core.
Aaron Sutherland, President and CEO of Illinois Casualty and President of the Downtown Rock Island Steering Committee
Sutherland said he supports downtown revitalization and wants to grow the investment his company, and all businesses and landowners, have made in the city’s core. He is leading the steering committee (facilitated by the Chamber) because he wants the downtown to prosper again. He admires the City’s initial appropriation of ARPA dollars and goal to use additional funds to tackle big projects by leveraging and supporting public-private partnerships.