TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– The Vigo County Commissioners hosted a public meeting on Monday to discuss their $15 million American Rescue Plan Act spending plan.
Commissioners discussed some of the details of the plan while also answering questions and concerns from community members on hand. Many questions they had in received in recent weeks revolved around funding going to local universities, like for an equine center at St. Mary of the Woods College.
President of the commissioners Mike Morris said funding the universities was allowed under ARPA guidelines, and something he thinks will be beneficial to the area.
“We’ve incorporated three universities within the community. Indiana State is participating, St. Mary-of-the-Woods is participating, and Rose-Hulman is participating,” he said. “Universities all have a positive effect on our community and play a big part in our community.”
Much of Monday’s conversation centered on housing and childcare initiatives. The commissioners mentioned several projects that are currently in the works to go along with ARPA commitments. Morris said they are working with organizations around the region on these projects.
“When you talk about housing, that’s been very general, but Thrive has been working to create a program, and quite truthfully, we’re not in a position as a county to have the experts and the recording ability to monitor all these things, we’re going to have some partners,” he said.
The Vigo County Council will have to finalize the spending plan. Morris said they have worked with the members, and he hopes to see it approved during their next meeting.
“We’ve presented it to each council member individually, and then reviewed that, got their input, answered some of their questions on a one-on-one basis,” he said. “We’ll see if they get together tomorrow and can have a consensus.”
