‘ARPA’ Powered St. Louis County Through COVID-19 Pandemic

DULUTH, Minn.– Tuesday morning St. Louis County board members reflected on the impact that the American Rescue Plan Act or ‘ARPA’ brought to the community.

At the height of the COVID pandemic, the U.S. Federal Government allocated 5.5 million dollars to the St. Louis County.

The large sum of money went towards responding to the public health emergency and addressing negative economic impacts.

It also made investments with water, sewer, and broadband infrastructures.

“These funds were intended to help move us beyond into a better position going forward. So this 54 and a half million was broadly used to strengthen the St. Louis County community. Both the county government, and the delivery of our services, and more importantly through community providers. And direct impacts to residents throughout the county,” said Kevin Gray, the St. Louis County Administrator.

12.5 million dollars went towards a state-of-the-art landfill system, to treat pollutants in the water.

‘ARPA’ also aided youth investments, with 7-point-3-million dollars helping to reverse impacts with pandemic learning.

Looking back, County Administrator Gray is thankful for the success the board brought the community.

“So, we’ve had incredible string of investments. It doesn’t replace some of the challenges of COVID I know our small business community or our families, our schools, have all been challenged, but this money today was an effort to bring the board up to speed on how we delivered on the direction and path that they informed us and shared with us and sent us on,” said Gray.

Thanks to these funds, the St. Louis County Board was able to accomplish 120 projects over the course of the COVID pandemic.