The Warren County government is awarding more than $1.8 million to 28 community organizations, paid for by a pool of federal funding provided by the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Among the …
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The Warren County government is awarding more than $1.8 million to 28 community organizations, paid for by a pool of federal funding provided by the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Among the organizations receiving funding are a mix of emergency responder agencies, nonprofit special needs services, charities, churches, community centers, and other community-oriented services.
The Warren County Commission solicited funding requests earlier this year for entities wishing to receive a portion of the nearly $7 million in ARPA money that has been distributed to the county government. Commissioners told The Record they worked with a small citizen committee to review tens of millions of dollars in funding requests.
“We tried to see what was going to be very beneficial for our overall community,” commented Presiding Commissioner Joe Gildehaus. “Very few people got everything they wanted. There was $14 to $15 million that was asked for.”
He added that where similar agencies are being awarded funding, such as multiple fire districts, the commission aimed to give each the same amount of money in order to be fair.
“We reviewed each application case-by-case and wanted to ensure that the money we gave out benefited as many people as possible,” added Northern District Commissioner Matt Flake.
The commissioners noted that some of the largest allocations of funding are going to area nonprofit agencies that serve vulnerable members of the community and are in need of more resources.
“These are worthy charities ... that are not highly funded,” Flake commented.
Commissioners said they are reserving a significant portion of the ARPA funding and aren’t yet deciding on a use for all of it. The money could be used for unknown future emergencies, or allocated for more funding requests at a later date. The county has until the end of 2024 to allocate the funding, Gildehaus said.
In order to receive funding, the community organizations receiving grants will have to either provide the county with an invoice for goods or services requiring up-front payment, or a receipt for a specific amount that will be reimbursed, according to the Warren County Clerk’s Office.
Below is the list of community organizations receiving funding, along with the general purpose of the funding. The Record has sorted the organizations into general categories:
• Wright City Community Food Pantry — Freezer/supplies — $75,000
• Warren County Health Partnership — Heaters/blankets/misc. — $12,000
• Heiliger Memorial Foundation — General use — $10,000
• College United Methodist Church — Repairs — $10,000
• Holy Rosary Parish — Repairs — $10,000
• Warren County Fair Association — Electrical infrastructure — $75,000
• Knights of Columbus, Truesdale — Repairs — $10,000
• Wright City Lions Club — Doors — $10,000
• Schuetzenground Company — Lost rental revenue — $825
• St. Vincent DePaul School — Emergency bags for rooms — $1,500
• University of MO Extension Center — HVAC — $25,000
• Jonesburg Fire Dist. — Radio equipment — $39,045
• Marthasville Ambulance District — Computers and radio straps — $5,405
• Marthasville Fire District — Truck/plow — $75,000
• Truesdale Police Department — Vests — $5,000
• Warren Co. Sheriff’s Department — MDT computers, shields, and vehicle equipment — $236,240
• Warren County Ambulance District — Supplies — $5,500
• Warren County Emergency Management Agency — Beat Heat program, training — $9,252
• Warren County Emergency Services (911 Dispatch) — 911 software update — $233,184
• Warrenton Fire District — Equipment/AED — $75,000
• Wright City Fire District — Dry suits and Polaris ATV — $75,000
• Wright City Police Department — Vests — $14,400
• Pregnancy Options Center — Supplies/tests — $10,000
• Charrette Apartments — Appliances/fixtures/renovation — $69,400
• Tribute to Veterans Memorial — Monument improvements — $30,000
• Turning Point Shelter — Debt reduction — $250,000
• Warren Co. Sheltered Workshop — New building construction — $250,000
• Warren County Handicapped Services — Transportation/debt reduction — $250,000.
