Our community received a collective $56.7 million in ARPA funds for use in COVID-19 recovery efforts. These funds from the federal government were designated for use, by the U.S. Department of Treasury, in the following eligible areas:
In addition to funding households, small businesses and schools, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides relief funds to state, local and tribal governments that have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. These funds can be used by governments to respond to the public health and economic emergency, provide premium pay to essential workers, replace revenue lost due to the pandemic, and make necessary investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure. Eligible units of government were allocated ARPA funds based on a methodology created and implemented by the U.S. Treasury.
When the final rule for the program was released in 2022, Vigo County and the City of Terre Haute began a collaborative process to evaluate potential uses of the funds and create individual plans of action, which were presented respectively to the City and County Councils. Upon approval of the overall plans, individual project stakeholders were invited to present to the Council(s) to request an appropriation of ARPA funds for their project.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) — Happiness Bag in Terre Haute has recently completed a $3.5 million renovation, bringing new opportunities for the community it serves. Jodi Moan, who has long been involved with Happiness Bag, spoke about the impact of the renovations.
"Seeing you know, listening to the laughter, to conversations, to know that they are the reason we do all this and what it's gonna mean to them," Moan said. Moan began her journey at Happiness Bag with a summer job, which turned into a lifelong career.
She works with individuals with disabilities, whom she affectionately calls her "friends." Mark Clinkenbeard noted the importance of the renovations. "This was something the commissioners and the council were very supportive of and we can't think of a better thing to use it for than something like this," Clinkenbeard said.
The City of Terre Haute contributed $750,000 in ARPA funds to the renovation. The updated facilities now offer a sensory room, an infirmary, and a kitchen, as Moan's "friends" enjoy cooking.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Families in the Terre Haute area will soon have a new, state-of-the-art learning center available for them.
Wednesday morning, Chances and Services for Youth held a groundbreaking ceremony for their new early learning center.
The facility will be able to provide affordable childcare and early education to over 190 kids.
CASY is expecting the center to be ready for use next summer.
Community partners who collaborated to make the Jan McCarthy Early Childhood Education Center a reality gathered for a ribbon cutting Thursday at Indiana State University.
The facility, located at 749 Chestnut St., increases quality childcare opportunities for the community, which in turn contributes to economic development efforts, officials said.
It also provides enhanced learning opportunities for ISU students, including those studying at the Bayh College of Education, located next door.
The center is named in honor of Jan McCarthy, former ISU faculty member known as a pioneer in early childhood education. McCarthy, who now lives in Florida, visited the center earlier in the day.
The early childhood education center represents “a commitment to families, to children and the future of west central Indiana, ”said ISU President Mike Godard. “We all know that quality childcare is not simply a convenience. It’s an essential part of building strong families, strong communities and a strong workforce.”
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) — A new housing development, "Southard Acres East," started construction this morning in the Terre Town neighborhood.
The project is set at North 19th Street and Haythorne Avenue and will bring 40 brand-new family homes to the area. Developers said the construction will take about three years to complete.