COVID Relief Money: How Much Did Central Get and What Comes Next?
Plus: the First Council Work Session of 2022, Community Event Calendar, and Ways to Connect
The most common question lately is a big one: Just how much money did the Town of Central get in federal COVID-19 relief?
The short answer? Approximately $2.5 million.
Of course, the more important question isn’t “how much?” What people really want to know is on what how it is being spent.
And the short answer to that question? It’s too soon to say.
Forgive me if you already know all of this, but it might be helpful to provide some background information.
Just a little over a year ago, the American Rescue Plan of 2021—otherwise known as ARPA—was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.The bill’s text called for “additional relief to address the continued impact of COVID-19 … on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses.” It was passed by the U.S. House on Feb. 27, passed by the U.S. Senate on March 6, and signed into law on March 11.
Among its many provisions was a program called the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program—SLFRF for short (the government loves its acronyms.) That program provided $350 billion specifically to state and local governments like Central; it was meant as a cash infusion to help local economies get back what was lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Back to that first question: again, the Town of Central was allocated approximately $2.5 million through the SLFRF program. (Half of that money has already been issued to the Town by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the second half will be issued later this year.)
Now to the second question. Because 2021 was an election year, Council and the Town Administration chose to wait before deciding how best to utilize these significant funds. In other words, none of that money has yet been spent, and determining the best course of action is probably the most important decision for Council and our community in 2022.
(There are strings attached to how local governments can spend their share of the ARPA/SLFRF stimulus, of course. Just last week, the Treasury Department issued its final rule on implementing the program. Among other things, the final rule provides state and local governments with guidelines on how to spend the money, and for what purposes.)
Needless to say, there is a lot of work to be done. You’ll be hearing a lot more about this issue in the coming weeks because we want to keep you updated every step of the way.
If you’re interested in learning more, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds site is full of information. Check it out here.
Monday Night Work Session
Town Council will meet for a public work session on Monday, Feb. 7, beginning at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. We have a lot of items to discuss in what is shaping up to be a busy session. We’re in the process of finalizing the agenda, so keep an eye out. We’ll keep you posted.
Community Events
Central Railway Museum Model Train Expo 2022
Friday, February 18 — Saturday, February 19
12 p.m. — 6 p.m. (Friday)
9 a.m. — 3 p.m. (Saturday)
Rock Springs Church — Impact Center
207 Rock Springs Road, Easley
Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit National Tour
Saturday, February 19
10 a.m. — 4 p.m.
Nettles Park
More information here
8th Annual Tiger Town Throwdown Disc Golf Tournament
Saturday, March 12 — Sunday, March 13
Play begins at 9 a.m.
Grand Central Station (disc golf park)
2022 Town of Central Car Show
Saturday, April 9
10 a.m. — 3 p.m.
Main Street
Central, SC
Stay Connected
As a reminder, feel free to reach out anytime. I’m looking forward to connecting with as many people as possible. You can reach me by:
email to abeckner@cityofcentral.org
Facebook at facebook.com/MayorAndrewBeckner
or stop in and visit at Town Hall on Fridays beginning at 10 a.m.
Thanks for reading, and please stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Andrew J. Beckner
Mayor
Town of Central
Thanks for your transparency.