Warren County ARPA funding has impact on community
New ambulances, emergency equipment among completed projects
An “emergency lifeline” for the Johnsburg Emergency Squad arrived earlier this year in the form of funding that helped the squad purchase a new, $73,000 ambulance.
More than half of the pricetag for the 2022 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Demers emergency vehicle came from a Warren County Board of Supervisors allocation from the county’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
“The $73,000 benefit is an emergency lifeline to our agency and community,” explained Joe Connelly, Director of Johnsburg Emergency Squad.
JEMS was one of 14 first responder agencies from around Warren County that received portions of Warren County’s $12.4 million in ARPA funding, which was allocated by the federal government to municipalities for COVID-19 pandemic recovery.
With Warren County’s 20-month ARPA application and distribution process having wrapped up in April, recipients have begun to put the money to use for beneficial projects and business recovery. (CLICK HERE FOR AN INTERACTIVE GRAPHIC.)
Among the community programs outlined so far to Warren County Department of Planning & Community Development, which is overseeing the spending of Warren County’s ARPA money by recipients, are:
- High Peaks Hospice used a portion of their $264,880 in funding to purchase medical equipment, including medications and supplies, for those receiving hospice services.
- Bay Ridge Fire Department purchased “Jaws of Life” equipment for response to vehicle crashes with a portion of the $65,793 they were awarded.
- Bay Ridge Rescue Squad used funding from their $46,568 allotment to provide members with additional training and reflective safety jackets.
- Tri-County Literacy Center of Glens Falls has funded more training courses for tutors, as the organization responds to an increase in those seeking assistance. “The money that we received through the Warren County ARPA grant is allowing us to keep up with an increase in requests for services, and provide tutoring sooner,” said Roseann Anzalone, executive director.
- Warren County Career Center purchased bus/bikeshare passes, laptop computers for community use, iPad tablets and accessories for youth GED classes, and hired a career development specialist and a summer job coach as well as provided training scholarships, spending about $82,000 as of early June.
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks used funding for 35 new matches between youth and adult mentors. They were allotted $25,500.
- Glens Falls Fire Department used $75,000 in ARPA funding to help purchase a new, $180,000 all-wheel-drive ambulance.
- Adirondack Employee Assistance Program funded additional training programs for its staff to assist local workers.
- The City of Glens Falls Recreation Department has begun work on facilities at East Field, including improvement of courts used for basketball, street hockey and pickleball that is being funded through ARPA money. Glens Falls was awarded $172,500 of county ARPA funding.
- The Park Theater has organized a schedule of free summer concerts in Glens Falls and Lake George, featuring numerous local artists. Park Theater Foundation was awarded $50,000 overall.
- The Hyde Collection used a portion of its $32,400 in funding to expand its art program with Glens Falls High School, which allowed students to take a recent trip to tour Whitney Museum and see public art in New York City.
Other ARPA-funded projects in Warren County that are in the works include renovations at Countryside Adult Home in Warrensburg, new kitchen equipment for The Salvation Army of Glens Falls, training for childcare facility staff through Southern Adirondack Childcare Network and grants for 12 small businesses.
Recipients have through 2024 to use their ARPA allocations. To see where all of Warren County’s ARPA funding was appropriated, click here.
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