At Oberlin’s council meeting on Monday, July 12, the council learned money has not been received from the fund known as ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act). Oberlin will receive $319,922.30 in the first and second allocation of the plan.
Mayor Joseph “Moochie” Manuel said the administration was looking at ways to spend this money which was expected in July.
Nicole Duplechain, finance clerk, also presented a list of ideas for the council to study to see if any could be utilized in Oberlin.
Louisiana Governor John Bell Edwards announced at the end of June more than $315 million in federal dollars had been allocated to 290 towns and cities in Louisiana.
“The American Rescue Plan provided vital aid for communities large and small all across Louisiana that are still working to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and we will work at the state level to support these communities,” Gov. Edwards said. “This funding will provide a much needed economic boost to Louisiana,and I am deeply grateful to the Congress and to President Biden’s administration for continuing to support state and local government during this unprecedented recovery.”
The governor’s comments included, “Funding is allocated based on a community’s population and will be delivered in two allocations of funding – one in June 2021 and one in June 2022, or possibly later.”
Duplechain’s suggestions included:
•Paying some water and sewer bills for residents. She said the town has 960 customers.
•Work on projects stopped during the pandemic through the Lost Revenue Reimbursement.
•Offer small grants to local businesses that suffered loss of revenue.
•Give incentives and hardship grants.
•Grants for the elderly in financial need.
•Purchase trucks for maintenance, mowers, weed eaters, trimmers, metal detectors, etc.
•Tables and chairs for the community center.
•Filing cabinets, shredder, etc.
•Police
Communities across the parish, state and nation will be deciding how to utilize these funds over the next few months based on the guidelines set at the national level. Manuel shared his excitement with the council that these funds will be very beneficial to the town’s budget which has been cut to cover a variety of costs including contributing to retirement systems for its full-time employees and police officers.
