Berthoud Weekly Surveyor | Covering all the angles in the Garden Spot

Larimer County issues update for Recovery Plan funds

By: Amber McIver-Traywick | The Surveyor | April 14, 2022 | Local News

Larimer County submitted a report to the U.S. Treasury Department regarding its planned uses of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), which the county received from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The report shows that Larimer County has identified projects that will utilize the full $69.3 million in SLFRF funds with the possibility of leveraging other funding sources. According to a statement released by the county, it is prioritizing the use of its SLFRF allocations to projects that, “…do not represent temporary successes but instead create transformative, long-term change in our community.”

The report contains details including that Larimer County is reporting approximately $36.5 million in lost revenues in 2020 and 2021 combined using the Treasury Department’s approved formula. While these funds could be used for almost any service, the county intends to use these resources to fund projects that will benefit communities most disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The document states that the county is currently considering allocating as much as $60 million of the $69.3 million to “transformative change for communities that have been disproportionately impacted.”

The county is working to leverage other funding sources to maximize the impact on the community by working with State, municipal, nonprofit, and philanthropic partners to determine project scope and funding contributions.

Projects earmarked for the funds include expediting the construction of phase two of the county’s Behavioral Health Facility, which is focused on providing services to youth. Construction of a shelter for youth ages 12 to 18 who are unable to find permanent or foster care housing is also in the plan. The shelter will provide counseling and other services in addition to housing for this at-risk population.

Water and sewer projects totaling $2.3 million according to the county will improve water quality at its parks and open spaces, mobile home parks in or near Fort Collins, and in the Town of Berthoud

The County is also currently exploring two projects that will provide affordable housing with on-site childcare and in one case an adjacent community center. Affordable housing is an acute need in Larimer County, especially in mountainous areas where a significant workforce is necessary for the tourism industry. Additionally, the construction of a childcare facility to increase the supply of and reduce the cost of, quality childcare options within the county is in the plan.

The document state a contribution towards the preservation of a mobile home park in Fort Collins, where the supply of affordable housing is especially acute will also be implemented. Grant funding of $1 million will go to non-profit organizations to expand access to health and economic support benefits.

Up to $12 million will be utilized to expand high-speed broadband access to underserved communities and other projects to improve public safety including an additional prosecution position in the Office of the District Attorney and a position to expand pre-trial intake and supervision.

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