Andy Close
WARREN, Pa. – Warren City Council is moving around funds as part of its riverfront development plan.
The deadline for the PA Wilds Build Back Better Regional Challenge is approaching, with the region potentially in line for $100 million.
Last summer, council approved $1 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funding for a proposed boat launch, but now there is the potential for re-allocation for a switch to the Build Back Better funds.
Council approved the financial maneuvering during Monday’s meeting.
“We were selected as a Build Back Better semifinalist,” noted Executive Secretary Teena Leary.
Mayor Dave Wortman explained that the city has $500,000 in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds and another $1.5 million in state grant funding.
The change would be to allow $2 million as a match for a total of just over $9 million ($9.25 million) in funding that is part of Build Back Better.
“The two funding streams that we’re talking about are the ARP funds for 500,000 and RACP funds for 1.5 million for a total of two million which is in excess of the 20 percent for Build Back Better grant of 9.25 million,” Wortman explained. “We’re allocating a little more – in excess of 20 percent of the Build Back Better grant.”
City Manager Nancy Freenock explained that the potential re-allocation was in the best interest of the city.
“Now that’s part of the federal grant,” Freenock explained. “Now you can put that into Riverfront redevelopment. The federal money can be used to match state money. We’re using a combination of ARP money and RACP money to meet the match for the federal grant.”
