ARPA Funding Community Feedback

In 2021, Congress passed the American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA) to help communities recover from the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.  A total of $7.3 million has been allocated to the City of Bowling Green.  City Council has approved the following investments:

• Residential Paving ($3,000,000)
• MARCS Communication Equipment (radios) to improve public safety communications ($350,000)
• City Park Paving Project, which will include road widening, a walking path, and security improvements (cameras & lighting) ($250,000)
• Inclusive Playground Support for the Wood County Plays Project at Carter Park ($100,000) 
• Housing Grants ($300,000 over three years)

Guiding Principals

The following guiding principles are being used to prioritize projects for funding:

• One-time use of funds
• Use must be allowable as determined by the U.S. Department of Treasury
• Avoid duplicated use of funds already in place for other programs and projects
• Projects must have a community-wide impact

Community Feedback

The City is seeking community feedback to help prioritize the use of the remaining ARPA funds, which may be spent over the next three years.  

The Online Community Feedback Form is closed.  The City received 969 responses and 559 comments/additional suggestions, which are being reviewed by City Council, the Mayor, Administration, and City Departments.  Responses are shared below:

ARPA Feedback: Summary of Results (PDF)
ARPA Feedback: Additional Comments Received

Bowling Green City Council invites members of the public to a forum on Thursday, May 12, at 6:00 PM, to share ideas for the nearly three million dollars remaining in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. The public forum will be held in Council Chambers. 

The forum is another opportunity for individuals and organizations to share their ARPA funding ideas with the city; no decisions to direct ARPA funds will be made at the May 12 forum.