Goodwin Presents City Recommendations to American Rescue Plan Advisory Committee

Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin presented the Administration’s recommendations for City project funding allocations to the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Advisory Committee this evening. The City received $36.8 million in ARP funding that will be split between City projects and funding to organizations that applied through an application process.

Three main buckets were established from the listening sessions held in early 2021 – Investing in Our City’s Future, Healthy & Safe Communities and Economic Recovery.

“We have an enormous opportunity with the federal funding Charleston has been allocated to correct issues that have plagued our City for years, such as infrastructure problems and broadband challenges. This funding was allocated with the goal of getting funding into our communities as quickly as possible,” said Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin. “At the same time, we are also future planning by earmarking funds for grant matching dollars and hoping to attract folks to Charleston with updated turfed sports fields and events like the return of the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta.”

Examples of City projects included each category includes:

• Investing in Our City’s Future – broadband upgrades, city-wide streetlight upgrades, city-owned bridge maintenance, city-wide paving, ADA accessibility, Clay Center Corridor Lighting project, Capital Connector project, 5 Corners crosswalk, South Hills Trail Connector project, Sidewalk Improvement Project fund, athletic field turfing and facility upgrades and federal & state grant matching funds
• Healthy & Safe Communities – public safety building study, youth job opportunities and city pandemic response expenses
• Economic Recovery – Charleston Land Reuse Agency and Charleston Sternwheel Regatta

On February 16, the ARP Committee will meet to create their recommended allocation plan which they will propose to full Council for approval. A resolution introducing the recommendations will take place at City Council on February 22. The final vote at City Council is currently scheduled for March 7, dependent on Finance Committee approval.