By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Buchanan County continues to work through proposals for how best to spend $17 million given it by Congress to offset the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Presiding County Commissioner Scott Nelson is impressed with one program receiving some of the money: Pivotal Point transitional housing for youth being built in the eastern part of St. Joseph.
“These kids just need something stable to be able to go home to or go, every night, and not have to worry about where am I going to sleep tonight? Who am I going to be burdening this week, what friend am I going to be encroaching upon?”
Nelson tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline there are two main deadlines associated with money the county received from Missouri’s allocation of the $1 trillion American Rescue Plan approved by Congress to offset losses sustained during the coronavirus pandemic as well as to stimulate economic growth. The county must appropriate the money by the end of next year. Those receiving ARPA funds must spend the money by the end of 2026.
Nelson says part of the money is being spent to expand broadband.
“I’ve seen the map from United Fiber in other areas that are kind of south and west in the county, east of JJ in the county, and up north near County Line Road, which would actually encompass both Andrew and Buchanan County,” Nelson says. “So, they have identified these areas and it’s in the planning stage.”
Metronet and others also have begun service in the greater St. Joseph, Buchanan County area.