Pittsfield Has Spent 70% of ARPA Funds
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city's nearly $41 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds are committed and almost 70 percent has been spent.
"That full amount of funding has been allocated to 84 projects for the city and we have expended $28.1 million to date as of December 31, 2024, that's 69 percent of the ARPA funding," Special Project Manager Gina Armstrong said last week.
"And 50 percent of those projects have been completed."
Of the $25 million allocated for negative economic impacts, only about $16 million has been spent. Armstrong explained that these funds are obligated for housing projects, the redevelopment of Site 9 at the William Stanley Business Park, and several community grants that are still underway until June.
"Also, the Pontoosuc Lake Park project is another significant past project for the city to be completed this year," she reported.
The first phase of improvements to Pontoosuc Lake Park will begin as soon as the ground defrosts with work on the south side bordering Hancock Road. This will enhance the accessibility of the 23-acre parcel and add a boardwalk along the shore.
The Health Department received $170,000 in ARPA funds for vaccination capacity and outreach and for a community outreach worker.
"Some of the outcomes of that position are quite significant in that this is the first time the city has been able to have a state-certified community health worker doing outreach and education for our community since the pandemic, That is more important than ever," Armstrong said.
"Also has expanded many wellness and health education programs. Very important for our youth and our older adults as well."
She said the community outreach worker is critical in connecting people to the health resources and information they need and the vaccination outreach addressed health disparities among the Hispanic population.
"Equipment, education and promotion expenses, and vaccination outreach events were all covered through ARPA funding in the second half of 2024 so these two initiatives have been very successful and really helped to strengthen our local public health system," Armstrong said.
The Willis Street parking lot was paved and school HVAC upgrades were made with a total of $276,000 in APRA monies. Several projects totaling $1.4 million are in progress: fire station upgrades, the Clapp Park bathroom demolition, Taconic High School's track replacement, and new flooring and lot repaving at the Berkshire Athenaeum.
Nearly $1.9 million in HVAC design and installation for police services at the Old Town Hall and Pontoosuc Lake Park improvements are beginning.
The city made 37 grant agreements with community partners totaling $9.2 million and $7.1 million had been dispersed through the end of 2024.
The city's Affordable Housing Trust, through an RFP, awarded more than $860,000 in ARPA funds to foster affordable housing development in the city. Berkshire Habitat for Humanity received its full request of $240,000 for six new housing units, Hearthway received about $363,000 for a rehabilitation project on existing housing, and the West Side Legends received more than $258,000 for a modular home project.
Director of Community Development Justine Dodds said the projects represent a diversity of housing options.
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