Leflore County has more than $2.86 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds that have not been obligated, according to a balance sheet prepared by Comptroller Jesse Williams.
The county received a total of
$5.47 million in ARPA funding, which was split equally among the five supervisory districts. The federal government is disbursing the money to help with the response to and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
So far, the county has obligated more than $2.6 million. The largest portion, $2.25 million, is going toward helping Greenwood Leflore Hospital stave off closure.
The hospital, owned jointly by the county and the city of Greenwood, has had financial problems for years that were exacerbated by the pandemic.
Originally, this money was set aside for infrastructure needs, including road and bridge repairs, but the supervisors agreed that the needs of the hospital were more pressing. The county presented the first installment of its commitment — $1 million — to hospital officials this week.
The city for its part has obligated about $2 million in cash and free utilities. Through December, almost $1.4 million of that contribution has been received by the hospital.
Hospital officials have said the contributions should keep the hospital operating into April, buying additional time to work toward a more permanent solution.
Other ARPA funds committed by the county have included:
- $144,000 to help revamp Sunflower Park in Itta Bena. Park improvements are set to include the addition of a figure-8 walking track, new pavement in the parking lot and handicap-accessible bathrooms as well as a renovation of the baseball field.
- $107,600 to help the town of Schlater bring its sewage system up to standards set by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. The county obligated funds to match a federal Community Block Development Grant. In total, the project has an estimated cost of $342,800.
District 3 Supervisor Anjuan Brown said the bulk of the work has been completed.
- $60,000 to the Greenwood Community and Recreation Center for air conditioning units.
- $45,000 to the Greenwood Community Center on Avenue I for air conditioning units.
- $2,000 to the Greenwood Mentoring Group for bike equipment, technology and field trip expenses.
- Contact Katherine Parker at 662-581-7239 or kparker@gwcommonwealth.com.
