(Photo Source: Unsplash).
Cortland County officials announced earlier this week they are seeking community input on how to spend $1 million in funds allocated by the federal government through the American Rescue Plan for the purposes of community investment and economic development.
In a press release issued Monday, county officials called for project proposal submissions from community-based organizations and nonprofits to request one-time funds with the purpose of advancing community and economic development in Cortland County.
Proposals can be submitted to County Administrator Rob Corpora via email at [email protected].
The submission period is open until Sept. 30, and will be reviewed by the county’s Federal Aid Allocation Committee.
According to county guidelines, the proposal should include the following:
- Contact information
- What the funding will be used for
- Perceived economic impact of the project
- Community benefits brought on by the project
- Amount the applicant is requesting
- Information on other grants available to fund this project
“The county will be reviewing each proposal equally, while adhering to the guidance that has been set by the (U.S.) Department of the Treasury regarding the use of American Rescue Plan funds,” said Cortland County Legislature Clerk Savannah Hempstead, who is also a member of the Federal Aid Allocation Committee. “The county will also be taking into account whether or not there are other funds available elsewhere to fund the proposal. The proposals that are acceptable will then be offered the opportunity to present to the Federal Aid Allocation Committee.”
Hempstead said it will be up to the committee whether they choose to vote on the presentations individually or as a package once they have all been presented. County officials are also planning to put out another call for proposals from businesses across the county.
Minority Leader Beau Harbin, a member of the federal aid committee, told The Cortland Voice Tuesday he would like to see all the proposals first before voting on them.
“Getting all the ideas together and then being able to evaluate them and make decisions will be critical. We don’t want to miss the opportunity or allocate funds too early without hearing all the ideas,” he said. “I am looking forward to the process and know we will find the right way forward to make this investment the best for our community.”
Harbin also said the county is setting aside an extra $500,000 from the American Rescue Plan money to aid with local economic recovery efforts.
“We have set aside roughly $500,000 to help small business and non-profits as part of their economic recovery because we know these groups provide tremendous benefits to our community and employ our local residents,” he said. “That program will be starting soon.”
Cortland County received $9.2 million in federal funds through the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. It was approved by Congress in March.
The committee has already made decisions on how to spend some of the money, including the approval of $500,000 over the next two years for an expansion at Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex.
The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 20 at 10 a.m.
