Detroit Launches Website To Track Spending of Federal Dollars

Detroit is receiving $826 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and the city wants to ensure that the public can easily access information about how those funds are being spent, reports Dana Afana. To that end, "The city launched a website to show where the funding is being used and ways Detroiters can get involved. The city thus far programmed $530 million, which City Council approved in June 2021, and is moving forward with compliance reviews and more than 80 initiatives from 15 spending categories, according to the city."

Detroit's ARPA website also has a #TakePart element for residents to find information about community meetings, jobs and special alerts. The website also has a registration page for suppliers, a portal of available bid opportunities, and a section showing which contracts were approved by City Council and those that are pending.

The article lists ARPA-funded projects already underway, such as the Basement Back-up Program, affordable housing for seniors, expansion of social services, and job training and development programs. "Some of the upcoming ARPA-funded programs, which require further approvals and are expected to launch between the spring and fall, include neighborhood beautification grants, blight remediation, an arts alley initiative, Detroit at Work's Learn to Earn, recreation centers, restoration of the unused Detroit Fire Department Ladder 30 facility, Joe Louis Greenway, neighborhood signs and the Detroit Police Department Shot Spotter expansion."