american rescue plan act

Springfield City Council voted to approve a $27 million plan to improve the soccer, softball and tennis complexes off Pythian Street.

Springfield’s Historic City Hall on Boonville Avenue and Chestnut Expressway dates back to 1894. It was built as a U.S. Post Office and Customhouse — but for 85 years it has hosted City Council meetings and other city work. New plans call for facility upgrades using a new type of construction management.

On Nov. 22, City of Springfield officials said in a news release that the city was awarded $17 million in state water infrastructure grants that will go toward 14 specific projects in the area.

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act — a COVID recovery law signed by President Biden early in his term — Springfield City Council now has millions in federal money to address pandemic budget problems and spend on issues like homelessness and affordable housing.

In the first round of application review, 12 smaller Greene County nonprofits were awarded grants of less than $50,000.

President Biden signed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 recovery law last year, the American Rescue Plan Act. Since then, Greene County got a $56.9 million share of the taxpayer funding and plans to spend $8 million on local small businesses. So far, Greene County Commissioners have awarded $2.4 million to 204 applicants.

The American Rescue Plan Act has already pumped almost $100 million into Springfield and Greene County. Recently the Economic Development Administration announced a new grant to help widen a key roadway leading to Springfield Underground, a major center of industrial activity with 3.5 million square feet of warehouse space.

This is the second group of small businesses awarded ARPA funds by the Greene County Commission.

Springfield has millions in new federal funding to help address the local housing crisis. City Council heard ideas from consultants on Tuesday on how to spend the money.

County officials said that the awards announced Tuesday are just the first round. More federal Rescue Plan money will be awarded in the future.