United Way, Heart of Maine update county on nonprofit hub; seek formal ARPA-interest earmark
January 07, 2025 | Penobscot County, Maine
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Representatives from Hardiman United Way and Heart of Maine updated the Penobscot County Commission during the Jan. 7 public comment period on plans for a nonprofit hub and requested that the county consider formalizing use of ARPA interest earnings to support due diligence on a property under consideration.
Matt Donahue, vice president and chief impact officer with Hardiman United Way, said the project has advanced with property evaluations and that the Bangor City Council moved its funding from ARPA principal to ARPA interest earnings. He said the hub partner group is seeking a similar formal commitment from the county to allow environmental studies and other due diligence to proceed on a faster timeline.
Donahue said the project has a previously submitted ARPA application; the request is to move the same project’s funding source from ARPA principal to ARPA interest earnings to align with the city’s action. He asked the commission to place the request on an agenda soon so the nonprofit can finalize its investment decisions.
Why it matters: The project would create a nonprofit hub in Penobscot County and relies on county and city ARPA-related funding choices. County staff told commissioners they must assess general fund balance and jail shortfalls before allocating interest earnings, and the commission indicated it would review the request in the near term.
During discussion, county administrators said there is roughly $3.4 million of prior-general-fund pressures tied to jail funding shortfalls that affect discretionary allocations. Commissioners expressed support for moving the item onto a regular agenda in the next 30 days so the nonprofit can make commitments. The original ARPA obligation discussed in prior meetings was $350,000, and Donahue confirmed that original figure remained associated with the project.
Ending: County staff said they would review the request and consider placing it on an upcoming agenda; no formal county allocation was made at the Jan. 7 meeting.
Matt Donahue, vice president and chief impact officer with Hardiman United Way, said the project has advanced with property evaluations and that the Bangor City Council moved its funding from ARPA principal to ARPA interest earnings. He said the hub partner group is seeking a similar formal commitment from the county to allow environmental studies and other due diligence to proceed on a faster timeline.
Donahue said the project has a previously submitted ARPA application; the request is to move the same project’s funding source from ARPA principal to ARPA interest earnings to align with the city’s action. He asked the commission to place the request on an agenda soon so the nonprofit can finalize its investment decisions.
Why it matters: The project would create a nonprofit hub in Penobscot County and relies on county and city ARPA-related funding choices. County staff told commissioners they must assess general fund balance and jail shortfalls before allocating interest earnings, and the commission indicated it would review the request in the near term.
During discussion, county administrators said there is roughly $3.4 million of prior-general-fund pressures tied to jail funding shortfalls that affect discretionary allocations. Commissioners expressed support for moving the item onto a regular agenda in the next 30 days so the nonprofit can make commitments. The original ARPA obligation discussed in prior meetings was $350,000, and Donahue confirmed that original figure remained associated with the project.
Ending: County staff said they would review the request and consider placing it on an upcoming agenda; no formal county allocation was made at the Jan. 7 meeting.
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