Benton County officials say nearly all $18 million in ARPA funds are obligated; community grants and land acquisition highlighted

Jeremy Martin, presenting the county’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) expense review on May 7, told the Benton County Board of Commissioners the county received roughly $18,000,000 in direct federal ARPA funds and has obligated nearly all of it.

Martin outlined the largest categories of spending: community grants and land acquisition for a proposed courthouse/community safety campus that will house the courthouse, district attorney’s office and an emergency operations center. Martin said the county had obligated nearly all funds and had about $97,000 remaining to obligate; he noted ARPA obligations must be in place by Dec. 30, 2024 and expenditures can extend to 2026.

Martin said the county has invested approximately $2.2 million in housing, youth development and culturally specific services, and distributed $280,000 in business grants last fall. He highlighted community partners and singled out a local nonprofit (named in the presentation) that has been delivering financial education and other services to Monroe and other communities.

Commissioners commended the work and asked that the Communications team share a clear public summary so residents understand where ARPA dollars were used. Commissioners also noted that additional, related federal funds flowed to county partners (public health, law enforcement) outside the direct county $18 million allocation.

The board did not take an additional vote on ARPA funding at the May 7 meeting; staff said outstanding obligations will be filled and staff will follow up with more detailed outcome reporting.