The City of Greenbelt is asking for input on what services the $23 million fund, recently allocated to the city by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), should be used for. The funds were given as a relief initiative in response to the Covid-19 public health emergency and its impacts and can only be used for certain functions within the city.
Public health expenditures, like medical expenses and improving behavioral healthcare, can be supported with these funds. Addressing negative economic impacts caused by the pandemic, replacing lost public sector revenue, providing premium pay for essential workers and offering additional support to those who have and will continue to bear the greatest health risks because of their service are possible uses for the funds as well. The funds can also be invested in water or sewer infrastructure and in broadband infrastructure, including improving access to unserved locations within the city.
As part of a process for determining how these funds will be divided and invested, the city has created a community outreach program and engagement effort to understand how the pandemic has impacted the community and to solicit ideas for investing the funds. Greenbelters can submit suggestions about how the funds should be used at EngageGreenbelt.org. Stories about the impacts Covid-19 has had on city residents are also welcome.
There are also three community input meetings scheduled in person over the next month. The first meeting will take place at the Community Center (15 Crescent Road) on Saturday, March 19 at 10 a.m. The next will be in the Greenbriar Community Building (7600 Hanover Parkway) on Tuesday, March 22 at 7 p.m. And the third is scheduled for Springhill Lake Recreation Center (6101 Cherrywood Lane) on Tuesday, March 29 at 7 p.m.