RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — The process to spend millions in federal coronavirus relief funds is nearing completion in Richland County.
A council subcommittee finalized its proposal for much of the roughly $80 million dollars in May.
Full council is expected to review the proposal on Tuesday.
"It is the goal at the completion of this meeting that we will be able to have something that we can recommend to council for their approval so that we can begin to get to work and do some things here in Richland County with the dollars that have been given to us," Councilwoman Gretchen Barron, who chairs the subcommittee, said.
They're suggesting the money be spent, in part, on improvements for county services, including equipment upgrades for EMS and the Sheriff's Department.
The subcommittee is also looking to invest in affordable housing, improve access to youth services, and provide dollars for nonprofits and small businesses.
"We're approaching summer when there's just a need for people to have things to do. I would love to see us... allocate funds where we can provide those opportunities," Councilwoman Chakisse Newton said.
County Administrator Leonardo Brown spoke more on their efforts.
"While this list is not exhaustive," Brown said, "it does represent areas where Richland County can make significant community impact by supporting public health response, replacing public sector revenue loss, offering additional support to essential workers, investing in water, sewer, broadband and cyber security infrastructure, addressing the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 and providing services to the disproportionately impacted communities of Richland County."
The money comes as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help states and local governments recover from the pandemic.
According to Councilwoman Barron, about $20 million has already been approved for things like safety and security, mental health and employee stipends.
Richland County Council is scheduled to meet Tuesday, June 7 at 6 p.m. at the Richland County Administration Building at 2020 Hampton St. in Columbia.