SALEM ― The Witch City is looking for some help from the public.
Salem has put out a survey asking for public feedback to determine how the city should use federal COVID-19 relief funds provided to it by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Beyond the survey, the city is holding two public forums intended to take in additional community feedback about the city’s ARPA allocation. One forum will take place on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. and the second on Oct. 21 at the same time. Both will be held online via Zoom.
“We are working in a thoughtful and transparent manner with respect to Salem’s federal ARPA relief,” said Mayor Kimberley Driscoll. “This aid will provide an opportunity to plan and leverage resources for the benefit of everyone in our community as we recover from the pandemic. I hope all residents will weigh in, whether through the survey, the forums, or both, to offer their input, thoughts, and ideas about what our greatest priorities are and what values should guide our investment of these important funds.”
The American Rescue Plan is a $1.9 billion stimulus package signed into law by Democratic President Joe Biden. The goal is to help the United States recover from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Salem will receive approximately $35 million in these relief funds over the course of the next two years. All of the funding must be spent by Dec. 31, 2024.
“There are no shortage of capital needs and this aid will provide an opportunity to plan and leverage resources for the benefit of everyone in our community,” said Driscoll.
The survey will be online through Friday, Sept. 17.
